Threshold to the balcony: what materials are they made of and how to design it? How to make a threshold on a balcony yourself - various options How to install a plastic threshold on a balcony.

The balcony door threshold is important structural element the entire structure. According to builders, a small threshold is simply necessary. Especially if it was initially provided for in the house design.

It is a common belief that a projection for a balcony door is an extra detail between the main room and the balcony; it is inconvenient and only gets in the way. But such a protrusion was provided by architects for a reason. It is required by technical requirements.

Finishing the threshold of a balcony door is important, since the overall appearance of the room and ease of use depend on it.

Its purpose and types

The element is designed to provide comfort and safety in the home. In addition, setting the threshold is necessary for the following good reasons:

1. Protecting the living room from the penetration of cold. If you remove the threshold and leave the balcony level only with the floor of the room, a “cold bridge” will appear. Condensation will appear in this place and the risk of premature destruction of the reinforcement and metal parts. In turn, this will negatively affect the load-bearing capacity of the balcony slab.
2. Installing a threshold on the balcony door separates the zones of the room. This is convenient even in cases where the loggia is combined into a single space with a room.

The part can be made in the form of a step or a small step. She has various indicators depth, width and height. Brick, cement-sand mixture and finishing material.

Threshold finishing options

To finish the threshold, the same material is used as on the floor in the main room, since this achieves a harmonious appearance of the room, and the protruding part fits well into the interior. The most popular options for finishing materials are:

• ceramic tile;
• linoleum;
• wood or stone laminate;
• tree;
• special plastic plates.

The final result largely depends on the quality finishing work. If you have basic knowledge and experience, you can do the work yourself. If you are not sure that everything technological processes will be done correctly, it is better to entrust the design to professionals.

Working with bricks

The construction materials from which the ledge is constructed can be very different. In some cases, an irreplaceable material is brick. It is great when after renovation there is a large distance from the door frame to the floor.

Before starting work, it is necessary to properly prepare the floor surface, that is, level the existing coating.

For laying bricks, it is necessary to use special solutions made from a mixture of cement, gypsum and sand. They provide good surface adhesion.

Filling with mortar

If the gap between the door and the floor is small, the best material The starting material will be cement and sand. The process of creating a design is quite simple:

1. The floor is prepared for pouring (cleaned and leveled with putty).
2. The wooden formwork of the required size and shape is knocked down.
3. A mixture of cement and sand is mixed. It is important to observe the proportions: for 1 part of cement you need to take 3 parts of sand. For strength, you can add a little small stone. Mix everything thoroughly.
4. The prepared concrete solution is poured into the space in the formwork. Its surface is carefully leveled.

After the concrete has completely hardened, you can begin installing the finishing coating.

From a plastic window sill

For cladding the threshold of a balcony frame made of plastic, the material from which the frame is made has a great advantage:

• Plastic as a finishing material will harmoniously fit into the overall appearance of the structure.
• He's practical. It is easy to care for.
• When using the material, there is practically no construction waste left.

For this design, ready-made window sills are used, which are the same size as the future threshold. The advantage of using plastic is the speed of its installation.

The installation process is not complicated. First, the guides are fixed to the walls using self-tapping screws. Then install plastic threshold and is additionally strengthened with polyurethane foam.

Wooden structure

Wood is easy to work with. For wood cladding, the following are used: wooden blocks, chipboard, self-tapping screws and Building tools.

The creation process is as follows:

1. A base of bars, that is, a frame, is mounted.
2. Using metal corners, the frame is attached to the floor.
3. Panels of the required size are cut from a sheet of chipboard and fixed with self-tapping screws.
4. The finished threshold is covered decorative coating or a tree.

Wood trim is versatile. It can be used both when the protrusion level is large and when it is insignificant.

From the author: Why do you think a plastic threshold for a balcony door is needed? And is it needed at all? And does it have to be plastic? This is what we will talk about in our article. And in addition, you will learn how to repair and/or install a plastic threshold in front of the balcony door.

Essence of the question

Before we begin to directly discuss the topic, let's briefly highlight the essence of the issue regarding plastic (or any other). Why is it needed and is it possible to do without it?

If you decide to level and insulate the floor on your balcony by screeding or installing wooden joists, then the floor on your balcony will naturally rise. The height that it “reaches” can be different (up to 20 cm). However, now this is not so important to us. The important thing is that it should not exceed the height of the floor in the adjacent room. Theoretically, this is, of course, possible, but there is no practical sense in it.

Some craftsmen mistakenly believe that a concrete (or whatever) threshold serves as a guide for raising the floor. But no, no, and again - no! It is not the threshold that serves as a guide, but the floor and only the floor in the adjacent room. And nothing else.

Theoretically, this threshold can be dismantled to create a feeling of a single space with the room. If you really want, you can even connect the balcony with the kitchen, living room, bedroom or other room. There is a separate article about this on our website. If dismantling the threshold does not cause freezing of the ceiling (this is bad, first of all, for your neighbors below), and in general, if this threshold does not play any role, then it can be dismantled without unnecessary regrets and fears. Unless, of course, you want to visually combine two spaces: a balcony and a room.

But we are talking about exactly the situation where a threshold is provided. We keep talking and talking about some kind of threshold, but what exactly we are discussing is not entirely clear. At least if I were a person reading this article who has never inserted plastic windows, and in general - I did not deal with repairs and construction - it would not be entirely clear to me what we're talking about. And the value of information lies not only in /what/ is said, but first of all in /how/ it is said/written. That is, the main thing is accuracy and clarity.

Let us now bring this necessary clarity. The fact is that often a plastic door to a balcony is, in fact, the same window, only larger. And it functions on the same principle as windows. Only, as a rule, the door does not have a “ventilation” function. Although, if desired, you can not add this function to the windows, and you can safely add it to the door. However, this is not particularly important for us now.

The important thing is that the very concept of “metal balcony” plastic door"- conditionally. Technically, this threshold is the lower part of the metal-plastic frame. There is nothing to say about this part of the door. At least in the context of our conversation.

And the article is about that concrete elevation that is located at the junction of the room and the balcony. At the final stage repair work we have to decide the question of how to install the balcony door threshold. Technically, making such a threshold is not as difficult as it seems. At least if you have already done most of the work, then you have passed the most difficult stage. Therefore, the threshold for you is a mere trifle.

In the course of the text, we will analyze four traditional methods of constructing a threshold, but, as we understand, improvisation in the repair and construction business can be very appropriate. It all depends on how expedient and functional it is, and, in fact, the threshold can be made even from the computer keyboard with which this text was typed. But whether such a non-standard solution will be practical and durable is a big question.

Each of the four methods described in the review has proven its reliability and practicality, so we will not argue that some of them are better and some are worse. You just need to choose the option that best suits the design and style of the interior. After all, if the interior is designed, say, in the style of Hi-Tech or minimalism, a wooden threshold will look inharmonious and conspicuous, creating an unpleasant contrast. Again, you need to look at the situation and strive to create harmony in the interior. Let's get started.

Method 1. Brick threshold

This solution is popular these days. It is appropriate to use brick if:

• The height between the base and the frame of the balcony door is too high. Often it is compensated by the laid bricks. In this case, these bricks must be laid securely and evenly. Then the rest of the space will be laid out quite easily;
• the threshold is badly damaged and is literally crumbling. Naturally, the problem can be solved in another way, but bricks can also be used in this situation. Moreover, it is quite effective.

It is worth noting that the use of brick will be possible only if the height of the difference is greater than the height of the brick itself (that is, more than 6.5 cm) - at least by several sentiments. The main thing is that the threshold is not higher door frame- and you didn’t have to redo the work.

Take note: if you want the solution to harden as quickly as possible, you can add a little gypsum to its composition (up to 10%). But if you overdo it, it will start to harden too quickly. Perhaps it will harden even before the work is officially completed, and we don’t need this; besides, there is absolutely no need for unnecessary haste in this matter.

Here are the tools we will need to bring our idea to life:

• drill mixer;
• bucket. Metal is better, because plastic may not withstand the blows of the mixer and may break. This happened only once in my memory, so I will share my experience with you and emphasize that such an outcome is possible. But if you are confident in the strength of a plastic bucket, feel free to use it;
• two spatulas: wide and narrow. Using the wide one, we will collect the solution from the bucket and then transfer it to the narrow one. We will apply the solution narrowly to the surface. In principle, a spatula can also replace a mason's trowel. The amount of work is relatively small, so you will be equally comfortable (or not comfortable) working with any tool;
• bushhammer. It may not be needed, but most likely it will come in handy. With its help, it is convenient to beat pieces of the desired size from solid bricks. The fact is that, perhaps, in some places it will be necessary to lay not a whole brick, but only a fragment of it. For a perfectly even cut, you can also use a grinder. But the trick is that we don’t need a perfectly even cut, and cutting with a grinder will create a lot of noise and dust;
• building level;
• construction float for grinding. But this is not necessary. Depends on which finishing method will be chosen subsequently.

WITH necessary materials and we figured out the tools. Now let's look at how you can implement your plan - and build a brick threshold:

• Clean the surface from dust and small debris and, if possible, level it. If there are swellings polyurethane foam protruding beyond the edges - it must be carefully, if possible, cut off with a sharp knife;

• Apply a layer of penetrating primer and let it soak in. This will take no more than a couple of hours;
• prepare a solution. This must be done exactly as indicated on the package. The main thing here is not to overdo it with water and plaster. The composition should not be too thick, but not very liquid either. The consistency should resemble thick sour cream;
• Apply the mortar in the place where the brick will subsequently be laid; the end sides of the brick should also be applied with the mixture so that the mixture is also contained inside the seams. This is how you lay the bricks. Since brickwork is done in one layer, this process does not involve anything complicated;
• if necessary, break off a piece of the required size from the brick and insert it into Right place according to the same principle by which all masonry was carried out.

The evenness of the threshold is an important indicator, so when laying, use a building level to check and adjust. After the masonry has been laid, the surface should be covered with a thin layer of mortar, and the same corner, pre-cut to size, should be mounted on the corner. In order for the surface to be perfectly flat (or close to it), after the solution has dried, it must be rubbed with a construction float. This tool looks like this:

We’ll talk about how and what to finish the threshold on the balcony later. There are also several options available that are in no way inferior to each other. Again, the choice depends on the style chosen for interior decoration.

Method 2. Filling the solution

This method is appropriate if the threshold just needs to be raised a little. To a height that is less than the height of the brick (6.5 cm). But in some cases it can be used regardless of how high the threshold is supposed to be mounted. This method is quite popular, and, according to many builders, it is more convenient and faster than the previous one.

From building materials we will need:

• cement-sand mixture M-150. It is perfect for these purposes; moreover, it is relatively inexpensive. At the current exchange rate - ≈100 ₽ – 1 bag (50 kg);
• penetrating primer and brush for applying it;
• board for constructing formwork. Its thickness should be ≈25 mm, its length should be ≈10 cm greater than the width of the doorway (10 cm on each side), and the height should be that which is necessary (depending on how high the finished threshold should be);

Here is a small list of tools that will be useful to us during our work:

• a bucket (metal) in which the solution will be mixed (or other suitable container);
• drill mixer;
• putty knife;
• construction float for grinding the surface.

The work of filling the threshold occurs according to the following scheme:

• preparation of the base. It is necessary to remove all small (and large, respectively) debris, cut off any protruding foam, apply a layer of penetrating primer to the surface;
• installation of formwork. To do this, the board needs to be installed across the passage with its edge - and securely fixed. Any heavy object is suitable for fixing: bricks, a bag of mortar, and so on;
• preparing the solution strictly according to the instructions;
• filling. If the layer is thick enough - 10–15 cm - then you can place it in the thickness of the concrete construction garbage- fragments of bricks or ceramics, crushed stone can also be used. If it is possible to lay reinforcement, great! Nobody says to knit a full-fledged reinforcing belt. You don't have to connect anything at all. Moreover, it is not necessary to use exactly the same corrugated reinforcement that is usually used when pouring. As we have already mentioned, improvisation would be quite appropriate: any metal products will do - even scraps of pipes and other old plumbing fixtures, even metal mesh, even fragments of old equipment. In general, any metal will do. This makes the structure more durable and reliable;

• after the top layer has dried, grout with a construction float (as, indeed, in the first case).

ABOUT finishing let's talk later. In the meantime, we are waiting for a third option to resolve the issue.

Method 3. Installation of a threshold from a plastic window sill

This method is quite simple to implement and, just like the previous two, will not require large financial costs. But one thing worth taking into account important nuance: if the quality of the window sill from which we are going to make a threshold is low, then such a threshold-window sill will very soon crack, so the work will have to be redone. And this is not the best outcome of events. Don't forget that you have to step on this window sill. As an option, you can fill the space between the stiffeners with a solution. Can. But it’s better, after all, to just buy a high-quality window sill.

So, for work we need:

• actually, a plastic window sill of the required length and width;
• a container of polyurethane foam and a “gun”;
• silicone sealant;
• saw for cutting plastic window sill;
• window sill plugs. But they may not be needed if the width of the window sill does not extend beyond the border of the slope;
• stops made of bars (again, if such a need arises).

Here's how to do the job:

• cleaning the work surface from small debris;
• measuring and trimming the window sill. Please note that you need to cut precisely. It is highly undesirable to make a mistake here;
• try on the cut window sill and determine the height to which it needs to be raised. If the difference is insignificant - say, 1–1.5 cm, it can be immediately placed on foam. If the height is greater, you need to place bars;
• applying polyurethane foam to the work surface. Just don't put it on too much. Please note that it tends to swell before it hardens. Therefore, if there is an excess of it, it can either lift the structure up (if the window sill is poorly pressed or not pressed at all), or due to swelling, the window sill will go in waves, and this looks extremely unaesthetic;
• pressing the window sill with an evenly distributed load and leaving it for about a day so that the mounting foam can dry and fix our window sill (which has already safely become a threshold). For additional fixation, you can use self-tapping screws, but in this case there will be little meaning in them. Foam will perfectly fix almost any object;
• sealing cracks along the edges using white silicone sealant. This product will protect the structure from moisture from outside;
• installation of plugs, which can also be fixed with silicone.

The window sill threshold must lie flat, so before you distribute the load on it and leave it for 24 hours, check its position using a bubble level - and, if necessary, adjust it.

Method 4. Wooden threshold

Depending on the shade in which your flooring is designed, you can choose a type of wood that will harmoniously combine with the overall interior design. And if the interior contains elements from natural wood(let's say it's country style), this threshold is just what the doctor ordered. Or a designer.

Here are the materials we will need during the work process:

• actually, a sanded board (or several boards) treated with an antiseptic;
• several blocks to create a base.

The tools we will need are:

• hammer drill;
• fastenings (dowels/screws);
• liquid Nails;
• electric saw/electric jigsaw for cutting wood;
• Possibly polyurethane foam.

The procedure for installing a wooden threshold can be the same as for installing plastic window sill. As we remember, almost anything can be placed on polyurethane foam. But you can do it differently. Here are the steps the alternative method will include:

• preparation of the working surface: cleaning, primer treatment;
• construction of a frame from bars of the required height. This mini-frame should be fixed with dowels and screws;
• securing the board. As we remember, it can be fixed using polyurethane foam, but you can also resort to fixing it with self-tapping screws;
• installation of wooden corners around the perimeter. It is convenient to use liquid nails to secure these corners.

In addition, depending on the situation, you can use a plastic floor plinth. For example, after renovation in the room you still have pieces of this plinth different lengths. Now you know where they can be used.

Instead of a solid board, you can also use pieces of wooden lining (for example, if they are left after covering the balcony). If you decide to use OSB, then this element must be coated special varnish, if it is wood, you can resort to using stain and, as in the case of OSB, a special paint and varnish coating. This is how we gradually approached the consideration of finishing options. Now we will talk about them.

Finish options

It goes without saying that a floor covering should be laid on a threshold made of concrete or brickwork. Although, perhaps, it should be placed on a wooden threshold. In any case, all options provide a good basis for laying any topcoat.

So, we will consider several options for the development of events.

Option 1. Tiling

The tile will fit perfectly on brickwork or on a concrete base. Here's what you need to do to properly tile the threshold:

• apply a primer to the surface to increase adhesion;
• While it is absorbed, calculate the location of the tiles and take the necessary measurements. The tiles should lie evenly and symmetrically;
• prepare the tiles for laying. To cut the tiles evenly, use a tile cutter or a regular grinder;

• prepare tile adhesive according to the instructions on the package;
• apply the finished composition to the back of the tile using a notched trowel;
• To ensure that the grout joints run smoothly, use special plastic joint crosses. The width of the seam should be from two to four millimeters;
• fill the grout joint with a fugue, which will protect the material from moisture and give the work a finished look.

Keep in mind that the presence of seams when laying tiles is mandatory (!) This is not just a decorative element. These seams prevent cracking and peeling of the material from the working surface due to temperature changes. Essentially, this is the same delatation gap. Simply put, this is the play that allows the tiles to expand freely as the temperature rises.

If desired, you can also tile part of the wall under the threshold - depending on your design solution and the possibility of bringing it into reality. Read more about working with tiles in another article: “”. If you have a question: “What does the wall have to do with it?!”, I will answer: the principle of working with tiles is almost always the same, regardless of the plane in which the action takes place. Enough about the tiles. Now let's move on to the next option.

Option 2. Laying flooring

The second option can be generalized by calling it “laying flooring" But floor coverings are different. First, let's look at the laminate trim on the threshold. The algorithm of actions in this case is as follows:

• necessary measurements;
• cutting the laminate according to measurements. As a rule, one board is quite sufficient. For cutting, you can use either a hacksaw or a jigsaw. The main thing is not to cut off extra centimeters, so as not to spoil the board;
• fixing the laminated board to the surface using liquid nails;
• fixing the corner. These are usually sold in hardware stores in the flooring department.

In addition to laminate, you can attach other flooring to the threshold. For example, linoleum carpet or vinyl tiles (art vinyl™). This option is even simpler, since the materials mentioned are quite soft and can be cut with an ordinary stationery knife. Plus, you don't need a large piece, and at the hardware store you can select a small piece from scraps, which come in a variety of sizes and are usually sold at a discount. The smaller the fragment of flooring in area, the greater the discount on it. Some are sold for only 20% (or even less) of the cost per square meter of roll coating.

If you decide to use linoleum/carpet, simply take measurements and then trim the excess from a piece of flooring according to these measurements. Then simply glue it to the surface using linoleum and carpet adhesive. But if you have liquid nails or other glue at your disposal, use it. After all, buying a bucket of special glue (even a small one) just to glue such a small piece is impractical. When the covering is glued, fill the corner, which will protect the protrusion from damage during operation.

Conclusion

So we found out what to do if the threshold at the plastic door to the balcony or loggia suddenly breaks. In any case, you have an idea of ​​what and how it can be made. Thank you for reading the article. I hope you found it useful.

The site also contains other articles that relate to more global topics regarding repair and construction. For example, there is information on how to combine a kitchen with a balcony, how to decorate and insulate the ceiling, walls, floors on balconies and loggias, as well as others useful materials, thanks to which you will learn how to arrange a balcony space with your own hands with minimal financial costs. All the best, dear reader. See you again at Seberemont!

P.S. To visualize the process, check out the video below.

Technologically, there is a threshold under the balcony door at the exit to the balcony in all civilian houses. The question arises, why? It’s unlikely that the answer will be given, because that’s how it’s laid out in the projects. What role does the threshold of a balcony door play and what can its dismantling lead to? We will answer how to remove the threshold of a balcony door in this article.

Balcony door threshold

It seems quite reasonable to think about removing the threshold of the balcony door when combining a kitchen, room and balcony or arranging a balcony, as functional room apartments. But you shouldn’t get excited and demolish the threshold on the advice of friends; if the threshold was made, does that mean it’s needed for some reason?

Standard balcony threshold

Why do you need a threshold under the balcony door?

It all depends on the type of your house, or more precisely on the type of your balcony.

Note: We must understand that in houses there are balconies and loggias that are different from them.

A loggia, unlike a balcony, is a structure of a house, and the floor of the loggia is an external or built-in part of the ceiling. A balcony is a separate cantilever structure that is connected to the structure of the house and is subject to bending load.

• Rice. (c) and (d) we see that balcony slab external, but supported from below.
• In Fig. (b) we see that the balcony slab is a continuation of the floor slab.
• In Fig. (a), we see that the balcony slab is remote and is supported only by the upper outer slab of the house on the next floor.

The new frame and door are installed on the balcony, which means it's time to take care of the threshold. For an experienced builder, this is a matter of minutes, but beginners in this area often ask the question “how to make a threshold for a balcony.” Of course, such a task will require skill from you and it may seem that it is not easy. But if you study the theory and understand it, there shouldn’t be any difficulties. Let's figure out what a balcony threshold should be and how it can be made.

The need for a balcony threshold

In addition to its attractive appearance, your threshold performs a number of useful functions:

1. It creates a smooth transition from the floor of the room to the bottom of the balcony door. This is especially true for families with small children or elderly people.
2. It complements the protection against cold, which is currently provided only by polyurethane foam. Often it can let in cold, which reduces the degree of comfort in the room, especially if the loggia or balcony does not have glazing and insulation.
3. Moisture protection. If the balcony is not glazed, then precipitation can flow into the room through the cracks, the threshold will prevent this.
4. Eliminate heat loss through so-called cold bridges.
5. It will reduce the chance of tripping over an unfinished structure and make crossing it more comfortable.

Threshold manufacturing options

Most often, thresholds for balconies or loggias are made from the following materials:

• bricks;
• plastic;
• cement screed and tiles;
• wood.

Let's look at each option in more detail.

Brick threshold to the balcony

Most often, this type of threshold is used when there is a large transition between the balcony frame and the floor of the room. It is the thickness of this material that will help to significantly reduce it.

Some people believe that it is not necessary to install a threshold on the balcony, especially if the balcony has glazing. However, this design is necessary in any case, since it performs several functions:

• Improving the overall appearance of the room, the ability to create a smooth transition from the living room to the loggia or balcony, which is especially important with large differences in height.
• Protection against heat loss, drafts, and dust accumulating under the door.
• The ability to hide joints, especially if they are not made carefully, or a layer of polyurethane foam under the door frame.

Types of balcony thresholds

Before you start creating and finishing the threshold for the balcony, you need to choose what it will be made of. The following types of design exist:

• Plastic. This is one of the most inexpensive options; such a threshold is not afraid of moisture, is resistant to mechanical stress, and is quite durable. The best option for installation is a PVC window sill, which can be installed ready-made: you just need to select the product to size or cut it.
• Cement-concrete. This is a more reliable and durable option, but its installation is more complicated, and it is advisable to finish the outside to give it a more aesthetic appearance. The covering can be made of tiles, laminate, linoleum, and other materials.
• Brick. It is quite difficult to lay out such a threshold; you need to calculate the dimensions and carefully level it. Finished design can be finished with any materials, from wood to tiles.
• Wooden. The product is lightweight, easy to install, attractive appearance, however, he is afraid of moisture and pests. This balcony door threshold has a shorter service life than its analogues.

Work options

Once you have decided what can be made from, you can understand exactly how to arrange and finish the structure. Creating a threshold for a balcony with your own hands is possible in the following ways:

• If there is too much empty space under the doorway or the opening itself is deformed and severely damaged, it is better to lay out the structure
• To create it, you can use a cement-sand mixture, which is used to fill the structure. This option is optimal if you need to raise the level, but the space between the floor and the frame is less than the thickness of the brick.

What can a threshold be made from?

Regardless of how the work is carried out, it is necessary to prepare the opening and the floor surface: they need to be cleaned of dirt and debris, thoroughly wiped inside and out. Finishing is done on both sides; the outer one must be cleaned and dried, especially if you have to work with mortar. In addition to selecting materials, you need to do the following:

• Select the shape of the structure. The step can be rectangular or rounded, have a smooth transition to the floor surface or a sharp drop
• Select tools and materials for work; tools may be different, it depends on the design and method of finishing.
• Inspect the opening and eliminate major defects if necessary.

Brick threshold

For this design, it is better to use sand-lime brick: it is resistant to moisture, withstands temperature fluctuations and has a long service life. The process of installing a balcony threshold will be as follows:

• Floor preparation, leveling, cleaning and degreasing, applying putty. After this, the surface should be rough.
• After this, you can lay the brick: before this you need to prepare a solution of cement with sand (proportion 1:3) and water; to improve adhesion, you can add gypsum. It is very important to immediately begin installation after creating the mixture, since the cement hardens very quickly.
• A thin layer of mortar is laid on the floor, then the first row of bricks. It is necessary to leave a small space at the ends.
• Applied to bricks cement mixture; the solution should not be too thick, 3-5 mm is enough. Then you can lay the next layer of bricks. If the threshold is made of one row, you can immediately apply putty to the material, and then begin installing the finishing coating.
• Most often, such a structure is finished with tiles. The putty layer must be treated with a primer and the material must be laid.

Threshold made of cement-sand mortar

If there is a small gap between the frame and the floor, you can make a threshold from cement mortar. To do this, you will need to prepare the cement itself, sand, water, putty, a mixing container, lumber for formwork, as well as tools in the form of a trowel and spatula. Sequencing:

1. Preparation and surface treatment with putty.
2. After this, you need to build formwork from wood, for which timber or boards up to 20 mm thick are suitable. Can be placed on the side ceramic tiles or broken bricks to make the structure more stable. The height and width of the formwork is made with a margin of 3-5 mm from the size.
3. Then you need to mix cement and sand in a ratio of 1 to 3 parts, add water. The composition should be homogeneous, without inclusions of dry mixture, and quite thick. You can mix it either manually or using a construction mixer.
4. Then the solution is poured into the formwork. It must be leveled so that the surface is smooth and has no protrusions or other defects. It takes 24 to 48 hours to harden, the exact time depends on indoor and outdoor temperatures, as well as humidity levels.
5. After hardening, the formwork part of the structure is dismantled, the finished threshold can be painted or other finishing and construction materials can be used for cladding.

Threshold made of plastic and laminate

Often a plastic window sill is used for installation; When installing, a support made of wooden beam, pre-treated with an antiseptic, and the gaps are sealed using polyurethane foam. Besides, plastic panels can be used to finish a concrete threshold: they are secured using self-tapping screws and construction adhesive. This design is distinguished by its attractive appearance and durability; if the balcony threshold is made of a window sill with a timber support, its strength will be lower, but the installation process will take less time.

As an alternative, a laminate-covered element can be installed. It is used as a finishing material, can be mounted with glue, liquid nails, using special fasteners, allows you to design it with a smooth transition to the floor. For corner finishing, plinth is used.

How can you make a threshold for a balcony from laminate?

If the plastic threshold does not match the style of the room, you can make a threshold from laminate: the entrance to the balcony will look neat and aesthetically pleasing. For installation, you will need to clean the surface of the step, then cut the strip to the size of the threshold. Liquid nails or another adhesive composition is applied to its reverse part, then the product is pressed against the working surface. The finished balcony threshold can be equipped with an anti-slip strip.

Threshold made of wood and OSB

The threshold for a balcony door can be made from an OSB board on a wooden frame. This design better protects the room from heat loss and drafts, but wooden parts must be treated against mold and mildew. Sequence of work:

• Installation of a timber frame. You can fasten the elements with self-tapping screws; the ends must be filed hand saw or a jigsaw if you need to connect the product at an angle.
• Laying the frame, drilling holes for mounting dowels.
• Fastening the sheathing, installing the OSB board.
• Insulation with cotton wool or polystyrene foam.
• The finished threshold for a balcony can be finished by laying a covering made of laminate, cork or other material.

Subsequent finishing

After installing the balcony threshold, you need to decide how to finish it. In some cases, this is not necessary: ​​for example, a plastic product made from a PVC window sill does not require additional processing. To finish the threshold of a balcony door made of cement, brick or wood, the following materials can be used:

• Cork covering;
• Laminate;
• Floor tiles, mosaics;
• Plastic panels;
• Linoleum.

How to remove the threshold?

In some cases, owners decide to make the balcony a residential part of the apartment, and when this is necessary, they have to get rid of the threshold. If such repairs are planned in panel house, changes must be approved by the housing inspection. Before dismantling, you need to remove the doors, disassemble the frame, and then get to work. It is easiest to remove a plastic or wooden threshold; it is not advisable to disassemble a structure made of cement or brick yourself; it is better to entrust the work to specialists.

To create a level floor, you can raise it; this is especially true if you plan to install infrared heating system. To do this, a screed is made, the surface is leveled, and then the finishing material is laid. You can do the work yourself or order it from a construction company.