Planning the work

How to plan a balcony makeover

1. Inspect the balcony

   Clear the balcony and look at the slab, railing, frames and walls. Cracks, rust, leaks and mould mean you should call a professional first and only then think about finishes.

2. Decide on the goal

   Decide what the balcony will be: a place to relax, a garden, an office or a tidy storeroom. The goal determines whether you need insulated glazing, insulation and lighting, or whether tidying up and a couple of new things will do.

3. Find out what needs approval

   Under Russian rules (Housing Code of the Russian Federation, Art. 26), re-equipment and replanning in an apartment building require approval by the local authority. Moving a radiator onto a loggia or joining it to a room counts as such work. Changing the facade, including glazing, may also need approval depending on the building and region. Other countries have their own building rules, so check with your local authority, building management or a qualified professional.

4. Call in professionals

   The condition of the slab and railing is assessed by a structural specialist, wiring is done by an electrician, and glazing and insulation by professional installers. If the work needs approval, a design project may be required.

5. Draw up a budget

   List all the work and materials, and note approval and rubbish removal separately. Compare quotes by the scope of work, not just the total, and allow a margin for the unexpected.

6. Do the work in order

   First structural repairs and waterproofing, then glazing, then insulation and wiring, and only at the end finishes, furniture and plants. Doing it the other way round often means taking finished work apart.

When you need a professional

You always need a professional when it comes to the balcony slab, the railing, fixings in the structure or extending the glazing. Hidden damage cannot be seen from outside, and a mistake can put at risk not only you but also your neighbours and passers-by.

You also need an electrician: wiring, sockets and lights on a balcony have to cope with moisture and temperature swings, so a do-it-yourself connection is especially dangerous here. The same goes for heating: moving a radiator needs both a professional and an approval.

It is worth calling someone in after the renovation too, if damp, mould or condensation appear on the loggia, the frames no longer close tightly or the neighbours below see water marks on their ceiling.

What to discuss with a professional before work starts

• What condition the slab, railing and fixings are in and whether they need repair
• Which glazing suits the balcony and whether it needs approval for the facade
• Whether insulation is needed and how to protect it from moisture and condensation
• Which of the planned jobs count as re-equipment or replanning
• Who will do the wiring and where to put the sockets and lights
• In what order to do the work and what must stay accessible, such as the emergency hatch

See also

• Materials

  Glazing, insulation, flooring, planters, storage, textiles and outdoor furniture in general terms. The article catalogue is here too.

• Ideas

  Balcony and loggia ideas: a summer dining spot, a mini garden, a work corner, clutter-free storage, a place to relax and a child-safe balcony.

• Questions

  Answers about this guide, about renovation and rules, and about storage and plants on the balcony.