It is difficult to understand the logic of the designers of high-rise buildings, but it just so happens that the overwhelming majority of balconies on the upper floors of high-rise panels and Khrushchev buildings were built without roofs. To be more precise, not a single balcony in the building had separate roofs, just balcony floor slabs partially covered the space above the lower floor. But it is the top floor that needs a roof over the balcony most of all. The modest canopy of the common roof overhang not only did not simplify life, but in some cases made staying on the balcony area simply impossible. Therefore, knowledgeable people, immediately after moving into the apartment, were looking for a way to make a roof on the balcony of the top floor.
The design of the roof above the balcony on the top floor is structurally no different from a similar structure installed in a private house or country house. You will need to make a frame and fasten the roof structure, select the appropriate type of roofing and install everything correctly. But, before you make a roof on the balcony with your own hands, you need to take into account several important conditions:
Firstly, such a solution will eliminate an absolutely unnecessary risk, and secondly, it will make it possible to install the roof on the top floor balcony with maximum quality. You can, of course, try to blow out the cracks and joints from the balcony with foam, but, as practice shows, the quality of such roof sealing is very low.
Advice! If you do not have the necessary training, qualifications and experience, do not even try to climb onto the frame and install the roof yourself.
Even physically strong people are not always able to work at height, especially since it must be done as professionally as possible so as not to restore the tightness of the canopy and fastenings after every strong wind or rain.
If you have made the final decision to build a roof over the top floor balcony, before applying for permission, you will need to draw up a competent canopy design with details of fastenings and load calculations. The main task is to obtain from an expert an opinion on the possibility of installing the structure you have chosen with conclusions about the safety of the canopy for the walls of the building. With such arguments it is much easier to talk with both the housing office and the inspectorate.
Usually, as motivation for the need to arrange a canopy or roof for a balcony on the top floor, the following is indicated:
Despite the instability of the arguments presented, not a single official will dare to refuse permission in writing, especially if there is at least a theoretical threat to life.
If this is not done, then even the most beautiful roof over the top-floor balcony, made of forged metal and non-ferrous polycarbonate, can be demolished at the request of the housing office management, based on a complaint from neighbors, or even by court decision. Believe me, the compiled package of documents may come in handy more than once while you live on the top floor.
In theory, the canopy over the balcony area can be built according to several schemes. The simplest design is cantilever, used for balcony areas measuring 2x1 m. Most often these are decorative balconies, common for the top floors of very old buildings.
Such a roof is most often made in the form of an arch with struts and a roof made of polycarbonate sheet. The entire structure is framed in a very rigid and durable steel frame, and the small rounded surface of the roof makes it insensitive to strong gusts of wind, rain or snowfall at the level of the top floor.
For modern balconies, the cantilever design is practically not used, except in cases where the balcony platform is adjacent with its side wall to the corner surface of the building box, like a loggia.
But even in this case, the owners prefer to rest at least one edge of the cornice on a vertical stand made of oak beams or a metal pipe.
For your information! This solution ensures the rigidity and durability of the canopy in conditions of strong winds on the upper floors of the building.
At altitude, the wind speed doubles for every 20 m of a building, so cantilever canopy structures often become deformed and collapse during strong gusts, although at the ground floor level they can last for decades without problems.
The general structure of the roof support structure is shown in the diagram below.
The upper frame rests on four vertical posts made of profiled square pipe 40x40 mm. Typically, a frame base made of steel pipes is used to strengthen old balconies before installing double-glazed windows, especially if the owners want to expand the glazed space.
But the use of a frame is also very suitable for arranging a regular balcony canopy, especially in windy conditions on the upper floors. Using such a solution provides several advantages:
Of course, if you do not plan to glaze your balcony with metal-plastic double-glazed windows, then you can use a lighter profile for the frame, for example, 15x15 mm or 20x20 mm. The base of the roof slope can be made in the form of a stacked truss made of triangles or trapezoids. The latter option is used primarily for glazed balconies, where the roof is usually insulated along with the walls and concrete base.
The entire structure is cut out and adjusted in the form of finished elements on the ground, only after that is it lifted onto the balcony and installed. Initially, the triangles of the roof slope are cut out and welded according to a template. For normal snow removal from the balcony roof, the angle of inclination should be more than 27-30 degrees. The smallest leg of the triangle, for which the balcony roof will be attached to the wall, is made of a double pipe or a rectangular profile. For example, if a section of 15x15 mm is used for the frame, then a profile of 30x15 mm is required for the fastening side. Before installing the frame, two horizontal pipes are attached to the balcony wall with anchors along the entire length of the platform. Triangles are welded to the pipes.
After installing the triangular rafters, vertical posts are installed to hold the roof, and a U-shaped belt is assembled from a pipe at the level of the balcony railing. If possible, it is advisable to install “balusters” from corrugated pipe or even from timber. This will equalize the load from the weight of the structure over the entire surface of the balcony slab.
For arranging the roof covering of a balcony roof on the top floor, ordinary corrugated sheeting or metal tiles are best suited. Before laying the covering on the metal profile, horizontal sheathing boards 10-15 cm wide are fastened with self-tapping screws, in increments of 20-25 cm.
Sheets of corrugated sheets cut to size are laid on top. To improve the tightness of the balcony roof, installation is carried out with an overlap in one wave and gluing the joint with liquid rubber or bitumen mastic. Corner strips are placed along the eaves and corners of the roof covering.
The most critical moment in the roofing process is the arrangement of the area adjacent to the wall of the house. To do this, use a grinder to cut a groove for sealing the edge of the facing strip. The joint between the corrugated sheet and the balcony wall is sealed with glass tape and bitumen mastic, after which the plank itself is installed, and the seam in the wall must be sealed with sealant.
The inside of the roof needs to be sheathed with foam plastic or mineral felt, a plastic film should be laid and the plane of the skylight should be sewn up with moisture-resistant plywood. This will reduce snow freezing on the roof eaves and at the same time reduce the noise level when it rains. The metal frame of the balcony will need to be coated with primer and weather-resistant paint.
A good roof for a balcony is a rather sensitive issue for many residents of high-rise buildings. As a rule, an old roof creates many problems, from its disrepair to leakage, and definitely requires at least a major overhaul. Soviet roofs were built according to a single model and consisted of reinforced concrete structures. Such a canopy, which clearly does not always protect from heavy rainfall or large accumulations of snow, can be converted or even replaced with more modern and high-quality products. Self-installation of a roof on a balcony is not only quite possible, but also feasible, so let’s take a detailed look at the upcoming range of work.
The first thing that needs to be taken into account during installation is the opinion of the local administration or service organization on any “self-construction”, since putting a roof on a balcony is one thing, but there are a number of specific regulations on the dismantling of structures that deform the appearance of the building. In this case, before you start work, you need to orient yourself to your floors and the floors of neighboring houses. It is always better to be prepared for such unexpected situations in advance.
The next important point in installing a roof over a balcony is your personal plans for the future:
Now let's move on to consider two types of roofs, each of which has both its advantages and disadvantages.
An independent roof structure does not have vertical posts (supports), which provide additional strength to the frame. Its installation takes place as a hanging-type balcony superstructure, but for the upper floor a canopy made of polycarbonate (the most optimal material) is clearly not the best option, since the structure is not particularly strong and there is a risk of destruction of the extension under the heavy weight of the snow layer. At the top level of a high-rise building, it is only suitable for small balconies (existing in old-design houses) or for latitudes with snowless winters.
An independent roof on a balcony has a fairly significant advantage - it is a highly economical design, very simple to implement, does not require a lot of time and material, but again - its windage under the influence of strong winds is also a significant factor - clearly not in favor of an independent type of roof. It is not suitable for areas where strong gusts of wind blow between houses.
A dependent roof can be divided into several installation models.
Such supports make the structure more resistant to changes in weather conditions and are fixed diagonally to the supporting surface.
In this case, it is more expensive, but the installation of the structure is designed for your own balcony, which can be glazed.
The positive aspects of this design will be serious:
Despite the positive aspects, there are also several disadvantages in installing this type of roof:
Do-it-yourself balcony roofing is a responsible undertaking that requires an investment of both time and financial resources. Before changing the roof, the main thing is to firmly settle on your choice, and spending money can be divided into several parts and continue to improve your balcony in stages.
But it is only possible to really evaluate the structural features and layout of each balcony on site, so we will describe the most optimal materials and some installation features.
To use the most successful building materials for the specifics of your design and climatic conditions, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the following information.
Wood has several advantages and quite noticeable disadvantages, but let’s start with the positive side:
Considering the external structure made of wood, several serious disadvantages can be identified:
If the tree has gained enough moisture, the structure needs to be completely changed.
Such design disadvantages almost cover the positive aspects of wood, so a roof base made of such material is installed for a relatively short period of time.
In this case, a good option is moisture-resistant plywood; if you are going to install OSV or chipboard, then the material must be painted with a special water-resistant composition.
A metal roof consists of individual elements fastened together and welded into a single structure. Preference is given to a steel pipe, preferably with a square or triangular cross-section. The only disadvantage of a steel frame is its significant weight; otherwise, the properties of a steel structure are the most optimal option for your roof.
Another good option, even better than a steel product, is duralumin. The only disadvantage of duralumin is that it is almost impossible to weld a solid frame of a balcony roof from it, with the exception of screw connections, but otherwise this material will greatly facilitate both the future structure and its installation.
If you are going to install a roof on the top floor, then cellular polycarbonate will be the best option.
The only disadvantage of polycarbonate is that it is difficult to combine high-quality insulation with thermal insulation material.
Corrugated sheet is a fairly universal material that is inexpensive, harmonizes well with metal profiles of any category and is easy to install. The only and rather significant disadvantage of the material is poor sound insulation. You will hear literally everything: from the pattering drops of rain to a small bird that decides to run around on your roof.
How exactly to assemble the future structure is up to the apartment owner. It’s not difficult for a master who has experience in installation to figure it out by estimating the amount of work, but there are certain specifics of the work.
First of all, the slope is taken into account, with a focus on the architecture of the house.
The ideal ratio is 1 to 2.5 (height to width of the canopy), since the frame made allows for independent snow removal and creates conditions for minimal roof windage.
In this case, fastening is considered in one, most optimal option - using anchors. Regardless of the type of material used to build the house (brick or reinforced concrete), anchors allow you to securely fix the load-bearing parts. Any other option with advance installation of dowels in this case is not suitable for high-quality installation.
Thermal insulation and sound insulation is possible only if the roof type is dependent. In this case, the insulation of the balcony roof has many variations.
Before repairing or installing a new roof, you should thoroughly prepare: take measurements, calculate financial costs, design a model of the future roof and, if possible, a balcony, select the appropriate tools and only then begin work. The restoration of the concrete slab of the balcony floor should also be taken into account. As they say: “measure twice, cut once.”
The first step to finally getting rid of snow and puddles on the top floor balcony is to install a roof over it. Often in old houses there is none at all, if it was not provided for by the project and when the balconies are located in a checkerboard pattern, or only across the floor. This leaves everything open to rain, snow, hail and dust. But this is no reason to despair, because it is quite possible to make a strong and reliable visor yourself!
We will now tell you what exactly the roof on the balcony should be like, what materials will be needed, how to install it and ensure the reliability of the entire structure for at least 20 years.
Let's first define clear requirements for the roof of the top floor balcony. First of all, there is a minimal need for repairs. The fact is that there are requirements for the roof on the balcony, and it doesn’t matter whether it was made with your own hands or you hired professionals for this purpose.
Such a roof must be resistant to precipitation, temperature fluctuations and any mechanical stress. Another small requirement that not everyone knows about: the roofing on the upper floors must have a high reflectivity, and therefore, if possible, choose a white or silver visor color. This will also help prevent the roof from heating up to the limit in the summer heat.
Regarding the angle of the balcony roof, there are several points. For example, the most important rule is to avoid an avalanche of snow, which will then fall on people or cars passing below.
Therefore, either make the roof steep (closer to 45°), or install snow guards on it. In general, calculate the slope of the slope using this simple formula: 30 cm for every meter. The length of the eaves overhang should be within 20-25-35 cm, and the installation step of the trusses should be 70-100 cm.
The angle of the roof is also affected by the angle of the roof of the building itself. If it is gable, then the roof will need to be made with a slope so that snow does not accumulate on it. But if the roof of the house is flat, it is still better to make the balcony canopy not horizontal. The ideal proportion is a height to length ratio of 1 to 3.
Considering that under the balcony there may be not only an entrance, but also a pedestrian area, as is usually the case, then, according to the laws, the owner of the apartment is personally responsible for the safety of these people.
Think carefully about the height of the roof. Too high will not be able to perform its main functions - to protect from wind, rain and snow. Those. The higher the roof, the less difficulty it will be for snow and wind to penetrate onto the balcony. But there is also no point in placing it too low, because then such a balcony will no longer be comfortable.
That is why experienced builders calculate everything using such a simple formula: they take the height of the tallest resident of the apartment and add 20 cm to it - the normal height of the balcony roof.
Next, decide on the shape of the balcony roof: will it be straight or semicircular. You can easily make the first one yourself, but it makes sense to order the second type already ready-made, which is made in a factory by gluing metal to polymer.
Semicircular roofs of balconies add a special flavor to the facade of buildings and look much more advantageous against the background of ordinary straight ones. In addition, this shape allows snow to slide off easily and not linger. And in terms of aesthetics, being on such a balcony is especially cozy.
But choosing materials for a curved roof is quite difficult. After all, it is important that they are convenient not only to attach, but also that they then store their shape. Therefore, such a roof is made in advance to order, and cellular polycarbonate is often used as a covering material.
And finally, at this stage, decide whether you will do the roof yourself, or whether it is better to hire specialists. It is clear that the top floor is quite dangerous, and therefore, if you have never worked at height and do not have the necessary professional training, then this risk may not be justified.
Remember that the balcony on the top floor has its own characteristics and pain points. Therefore, first, it is better to invite a specialist for a consultation so that he can examine everything and discuss all the details with you.
If this is your first time encountering such a concept as a balcony roof, we advise you to start by watching this video - it explains a lot:
It is important to indicate how tightly the roof itself will be connected to the glazing. After all, if there is none, it can be installed both at the beginning of glazing the balcony and during the process itself. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages, so let’s figure out what types of balcony roofs there are in this regard.
The first type is an independent roof. This is installed using a console and brackets. Among the advantages, we note simple installation, high functionality and reliability. The good thing about an independent system is that it does not impose any special requirements on the parameters of the balcony. At the same time, any materials can be used as a roofing covering, because such a roof is installed independently and does not create a load on the glazing.
In other words, a dependent roof type requires the presence of special supporting structures, while an independent roof, on the contrary, allows it to take significant loads on itself. Those. if there is a roof in the form of the same slab above the balcony of the last floor, this is an independent system, because all the profiles are attached to it, but if there is no roof, then there are also two options for arrangement: dependent and independent systems.
So, if you install strong corners and accurately calculate the load, the roof will be strong enough to even attach frameless glazing to it (this is an independent roof). But if you rest the new roof on the new glazing as a support, then this roof - dependent, and additional loads cannot be distributed on it, and you will need to be more careful with the choice of roofing covering.
The dependent systems themselves are intended to be used only for a narrow balcony. Among the disadvantages, we note a considerable load on the glazing, which increases in winter, and among the advantages are cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. But a dependent structure cannot be used in old houses, where it is forbidden to unnecessarily overload the walls!
And finally, let's note the third type of balcony roof is post-supported. Here the roof does not rest on the glazing and not only on the wall, but is supported by a special frame made of steel racks, similar to the upper and lower frames. Moreover, they not only act as supports, but also create openings for glazing. True, due to the fact that such a design creates additional load on the parapet or balcony slab, it should be strengthened. And the order of work here is also slightly different: we do the roof, and then the windows.
Another interesting case, which occurs quite often in Russian houses, is when half of the balcony has a roof, but the other half does not. Then it needs to be completed, either further expanded, or another one installed with removal, and simultaneously with the glazing of the balcony.
So, first of all, in order to make an independent roof that will not rely on the glazing with its weight, you will need to build a supporting frame for it. Usually it is a simple truss made of rolled metal or wooden frames. These need to be attached to metal anchors or a façade dowel with a screw, directly to the wall.
Why do farms have to look like this? The fact is that due to such direct support they provide 100% resistance to disruption from strong winds. Here, reverse wind loads will be compensated by connecting the covering to the trusses using steel plates with a thickness of 3 mm, and the side posts gain their resistance to gusts of wind thanks to direct attachment to the wall.
Wooden trusses for balcony roofs are rarely made today due to the fact that it is not always possible to achieve complete protection from moisture under such a roof. But if they do, then in the form of ordinary triangles like metal ones, they are treated with an antiseptic and attached to the wall with anchor bolts or special plates.
Of course, since we are talking about the top floor, it is much more rational to attach the balcony roof to metal trusses.
Rainwater or melt water will flow down the roof and fall onto the valley, and from there it will be discharged outside the balcony. Here is the process of making such trusses in detail:
The lathing for a balcony roof is usually made of wooden beams 20x40 mm or 40x40 mm. It is made from dry quality material. When such a beam is located between the same sheet of corrugated sheeting and metal corners, to some extent it absorbs the main noise and impacts from raindrops, at the same time absorbing them a little, and the roar is no longer so strong.
Typically, the length of the roof slope of a standard balcony does not exceed two meters, and therefore only three such slats are enough. Wire will help you temporarily secure the sheathing to the trusses, and then connect the sheathing to the trusses using bolts. This is what it looks like:
Let's consider another common case when there is a slab on top, but it is very dilapidated. That is, it cannot be additionally loaded at all, and sometimes it’s scary to touch it. What to do then? Go for tricks! For example, install a new, independent roof directly under the slab, and glass the balcony next to it:
In the case of a dependent roof system, the balcony glazing is first installed, and only then the roof itself, which in most cases sits directly on the frames:
The roof is placed on mounting foam, which, after drying, is trimmed and sealed with sealants on both sides. Next, the ceiling is insulated and hemmed. As you can see from the step-by-step master class, there are no trusses here, only support for the roofing sheets, which itself rests on the window profiles. In this option, it is impossible to install frameless glazing, which always rides on the upper guides.
And finally, let’s consider another popular option, the support-and-post system. Here, both for glazing and for installing the roof, one complete frame is created, usually wooden:
In a word, here neither the roof lies on the frames, nor the frames hang directly on it. Here is the installation process step by step:
Now you can move on to the selection and installation of roofing sheets.
Corrugated sheeting, metal tiles, plastic slate, polycarbonate, soft roofing and galvanized sheets are excellent as roofing for a balcony:
Let's look at each type of roofing separately, taking into account its pros and cons specifically for the balcony.
Just keep in mind that a metal roof will be annoying with noise from rain, but it can be soundproofed and at least use damper tapes.
And yet, the most typical roof for a top-floor balcony is a profiled galvanized sheet with a thickness of 0.55 mm and a wave height of 20 mm. The corrugated sheet itself is good for its ease of installation, wide choice of colors and light weight. But if it gets damaged during installation, it will begin to corrode.
So, to install corrugated board you will need the following materials: the corrugated sheet itself, the number of sheets of which you can easily calculate yourself, anchor bolts 10 cm long, antiseptic for the timber, screws with sealing gaskets, dry wood timber 20x40 or 40x40 mm for sheathing and pre-welded supporting triangular trusses from corner No. 6.
As soon as the farms are installed (we presented the technology above), follow these instructions:
Here's how the work goes:
When installing the sheets, it is important not to tighten the screws, otherwise the rubber will crack and allow moisture to pass through. Imagine how difficult it is to repair the roof at such a height. This is what the correct mount should look like:
To secure sheets on metal trusses, it is also good to use a special fastener:
Beautiful and in demand metal tiles are similar in properties to corrugated sheets, but have a more aesthetic appearance. But all these reliefs can prevent snow from rolling off at a low roof angle. In this case, the snow itself will accumulate and fall down in an avalanche, which is bad.
Metal tiles are installed on the balcony according to the same principle as corrugated sheeting, the only important thing is that each wave has its own wooden base. Also mark the metal tiles in advance and drill holes for ropes that will hold the sheets at height. And all you need to take care of is that the edges of the sheets fit into the niche in the wall and are well protected from moisture.
Let us also note such a practical and inexpensive roofing material for balconies as galvanized iron. It is characterized by low susceptibility to mechanical stress and can withstand quite severe loads.
Among the disadvantages is the complete lack of sound insulation. Those. when it rains, the roar will be incredible, so immediately think about insulating and soundproofing the ceiling of such a balcony:
A less popular, but quite convenient option for arranging a balcony roof is a soft roof. It is valued for its noiselessness, integrity and water resistance. In other words, such a roof has no potential places for moisture to penetrate. It also fits easily on any angle or curve.
But keep in mind that the same euroroofing material does not tolerate direct sunlight and prolonged frost. Therefore, if the climate in your region is quite harsh, refuse a soft roof, otherwise, over time, cracks will appear on the roof of the balcony.
Heat also has a bad effect on it: the bitumen heats up and an unpleasant odor can penetrate into the apartment. If the weather is usually mild, then this option is quite suitable.
To install a soft roof, you will need to build a continuous flooring:
Another good option is polycarbonate coating, which is expensive, but is compensated by excellent performance properties. Such a coating will be transparent enough so that you can set up a personal office or just a relaxation area, but at the same time it will be durable, heat-insulating and quite resistant to mechanical loads.
And not just resistant: stronger than glass, and at the same time 15 times lighter! And this is important: if your balcony is on the top floor, then it is at risk, because teenagers today love to spend their leisure time on roofs, throwing down everything they can.
In addition, polycarbonate is resistant to ultraviolet rays and does not lose its transparency even over time, and its operating temperature range is from -45°C to +80°C. Specifically for a balcony, take panels from 10 mm thick - this will be enough:
And the choice of color in the installation of a polycarbonate roof is simply pleasing to the eye:
To install a polycarbonate roof, you need the same trusses as for corrugated sheeting. It’s just important to properly equip the rear connection unit:
See how easy it really is to work with monolithic polycarbonate:
The only unpleasant moment in the case of a polycarbonate roof is that it is not repaired, but is immediately replaced with a new one. After all, any traces of repairs spoil the entire appearance, while the same corrugated sheeting with the same damage can still be patched and patched. Also, one of the most beautiful roofing coverings for a balcony is ondulin, or euroslate. It is characterized by ease of installation, low weight (6 kg per 1 m2) and excellent sound insulation properties, which is important for the last floors.
But, unfortunately, because... Ondulin is just a multilayer sheet of ordinary paper impregnated with bitumen; it does not have the best impact resistance and resistance to mechanical damage.
Also, the surface of Euro slate is usually rough, which is why it retains snow and accumulates dust. As a result, such a coating on a balcony lasts no more than 10 years, simultaneously fading in the sun and twisting if rainwater gets into random cracks.
But it looks beautiful, there’s nothing to say:
To attach Euro slate to a balcony, the same special fasteners are used as in the case of installation on a regular house roof. Here's a great video tutorial on this topic:
Today, many companies offer real glass roofs for top-floor balconies. They are divided into two main types: static and sliding.
If we are talking about static ones, then these are high-strength structures made of glass and various types of fastening improvements. Such balcony roofs are not afraid of hail, temperature changes, or strong winds.
Their main advantage is 100% visibility, but on the top floor the sky seems especially close, and on such balconies they are happy to set up relaxation areas in the form of a coffee shop or a hammock!
In order to install a modern glass roof on your own balcony, you will need four types of fastenings: a wall-to-hang connector, a wall-to-glass connector, a hang-to-glass connector, and a hanger without turns. And they attach the glass roof to cantilever ribs of different types:
In practice it will all look like this:
All this beauty will be expensive, but it will last a long time, because modern types of glass are far from fragile.
And only you can decide what kind of roof you need for your balcony, based on your planned budget, aesthetic requirements and practical calculations. Good luck!
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