The panel sandwich is a three-layer material consisting of an inner insulating layer, outside (on both sides) with plastic. The decoration of the balcony Sandwich panels does not represent a special complexity and can be performed on its own. In this article, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the sandwich panels when finishing the balconies.
Types of sandwich panels
The insulation in the sandwich panels for balconies can be used polystyrene foam, foam, mineral wool. Mineral wool has excellent fire-fighting properties, well absorbs moisture. Polystyrene foam is resistant to moisture and water, has excellent thermal insulation characteristics. Foam flag crumbs and worse maintains heat than polystyrene foam.
As an outer layer, plastic based on polyvinyl chloride, chipboard, OSP, Magnezit cooker, Metal can be used. The metal coating is the most durable, mechanical load resistant, but by weight is much heavier than plastic.
Sandwich material is used for decoration, insulation of walls and for mounting a warm roof.
The panels are 1000 and 1200 mm wide, thickness from 10 to 25 mm, up to 12 meters long. Long panels are inconvenient to mount and transport, but this drawback is compensated due to a smaller amount of joints inside the design will not penetrate moisture.
When choosing a sandwich panel for insulation and a balcony finish, you must take into account the permissible loads on the balcony slab. Optimal thickness 50-80 mm.
Advantages and disadvantages
The sandwich panels are excellent material for quick and easy to perform finishing works on the balcony.
Their main advantages:
- high thermal insulation and sound insulation indicators;
- ease, simplicity of installation, they can be mounted without installing the crate;
- The material is suitable for internal and external work;
- The surface does not require preliminary alignment and elimination of cosmetic defects;
- a small weight, which is very relevant when finishing a balcony;
- Easy wash, do not absorb dirt, dust;
- Performs two functions at once: insulation and finishing;
- Withstand the impact of high humidity.
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Panels with plastic top layer do not stand heavy loads
The disadvantages of panels include:
- In case of poor docking panels on the connection site, freezing is possible;
- The panel with the plastic top layer is not adapted to withstand heavy loads; If it is necessary to place on them, for example, shelves, fasteners need to start a deeper into the wall; The panel will not stand the weight of furniture, laundry dryers, etc.
Materials for manufacture
The polystyrene foam is made of polystyrene, has a cellular structure, its cells are filled with air. Due to these qualities, the material installed on the balcony well keeps warm and does not miss noise from the street. It is an environmentally friendly and safe material, not subject to rotting, mold.
Building Sandwich Panel
Polyurethane foam is distinguished by high density with a slight weight, resistant to the effects of high humidity, can be in water without disturbing the upper layer for 10 days. Polyurethane foam does not start mold, it is not susceptible to fungal defeats. Provides high heat and sound insulation indoors. Refers to poorly flammable materials.
Fiberglass
The mineral wool has a fibrous structure, does not burn and is not afraid of temperature drops, does not decompose under the influence of chemically active substances, it has high thermal insulating and sound insulation characteristics. It has an accumulation of moisture.
Fiberglass consists of a plurality of thin glass threads, thanks to this composition is a barrier to the passage of noise from the street. Safe material does not secrete harmful substances into the air. It is not afraid of humidity, not subject to rotting, mold.
Materials for a protective and decorative layer
Plastic is a light and moisture-resistant material, but unable to withstand heavy loads. At the same time, it can be easily damaged and scratched.
Polyester manufactured from polyester is not afraid of high temperatures and exposure to high humidity.
Galvanized steel is not subject to corrosion, but if the integrity of the protective layer is violated, rust can be formed in places of scratches. Durability depends on the thickness of the zinc layer, the quality of its application. The zinc eventually has a property to evaporate, but it will be noticeable only in 10 years.
Alucin coating is stronger and more stable than galvanized. Withstands the impact of high humidity and ultraviolet.
Montage with your own hands
Installation of the panel sandwich is easy to perform independently, for which it is necessary to calculate the amount of material, prepare the tools.
Look for details on the video:
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To perform work, you will need:
- Construction level, roulette;
- Drill, perforator, screwdriver, Bulgarian;
- sandwich panels;
- selflessness, anchor;
- mounting foam;
- Silicone or polystyrene-based sealant;
- self-adhesive tape for sealing joints;
- Metal profile, corners or wooden timber.
Sandwich material is used for insulation and wall decoration, for mounting the roof. They can be installed vertically and horizontally. For balcony, the optimal option is considered material with polystyrene foam as insulation.
Installation of panels is carried out in several stages.
- We prepare the surface, we remove the dust with it with the help of a vacuum cleaner, close all the cracks, slits, process the surface of the primer.
- If it is decided not to mount the crate on a sufficiently flat surface of the wall, it follows the panel to the mounting foam, which will create another insulation layer, or liquid nails. To foam well grabbed with the surface of the wall or ceiling, it is grouped by sandpaper. Before applying foam, the surface must be mounted.
- On the corners you can use a plastic angular connection. The bog of the ceiling with the wall is made up with a decorative plinth.
- The last step is performed finishing window and door slopes with sandwich panels. From above and on the sides of the slopes are attached to the screws wooden rails so that their edge does not speak for the level of the wall.
- Along the outer edge of the window, fasten the starting P-shaped strip on the self-tapping screw. The P-shaped profile has a groove in which the slope from plastic will be inserted.
- In the starting profile, we install the panel sandwich sliced in size, the opposite edge of which is attached by self-drawing to wooden slats diagonally.
- The F-shaped profile and joints are placed sealant.
When working with the mounting foam, I remember that it has a property to significantly expand, while it can squeeze the sandwich panel. Surplus silicone sealant is well cleaned by a piece of plastic.
Several important tips
Installing the panels are necessary strictly in terms of the level, the aesthetic type of finishing depends on it.
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When making a frame under a panel of wooden bars or metal profiles before installing, they are pre-treated with protective compounds from the effects of atmospheric precipitation, insects, corrosion. For the intricacies of the mounting of the sandwich panels, see this video:
The protective film must be removed from the panel immediately after installation, otherwise under the influence of sun rays, it will stick to the surface that it will be very problematic.
If you need to hang the shelf or locker on top of the sandwich panel, it is necessary to mount them on long screws, which will deeply enter the wall so that the weight of the element has kept the wall, and not the panel.
Before installing the panel sandwich, it will not be superfluous to learn some nuances from the neighbors who previously seen the same type balconies, as well as watch videos on the Internet.