If you're fixing up your balcony in time for spring, it should not only look cozy and visually appealing, but also be up to date in terms of energy efficiency. While sometimes it is enough to replace an old balcony door, in other cases the balcony should be renovated or even demolished. The consumer advice center summarizes on its website what needs to be taken into account to turn a balcony into a comfortable "green oasis" in summer and to avoid heat loss and save heating costs in winter.
Depending on the condition of the balcony and personal preferences, renovation is not always recommended. If new insulation and a drain are needed, if the floor or the railing has to be replaced, and if other small repairs are required, the total costs are sometimes higher than a balcony demolition. In terms of size, accessibility and design, a new front balcony allows you to realize your own ideas. A new balcony is also state of the art, has for example a sealed and insulated base plate and protects against moisture and thus against possible mold growth. Of course, this must meet the structural and static requirements.
In order for the balcony to function properly in winter from an energy point of view, there should be no thermal bridges between the floor in the apartment and the balcony slab, among other things. This is because the cool spots can cause mold to form on the ceiling or walls in adjacent rooms during the heating season. The balcony windows and door should be checked for air tightness and replaced if necessary. Thermal insulation glazing is helpful and energy-saving. The balcony should also be well protected from rainwater penetration. A floor slope of 1.5 - 2 percent is required by the DIN 1986-100 regulations. Good facade insulation and protection against heat and solar radiation are further precautions. Those who wish can even produce their own electricity by mounting a plug-in solar device on the balcony parapet.
Source: Consumer Center
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