Using a conventional or electric dryer in the bathroom significantly limits the area of the room. That is why many owners transfer this element to other parts of the apartment. It is convenient and practical to place a clothes dryer on a balcony with any area. A variety of models with compact sizes, numerous rods for hanging things will provide ease of use of models. When choosing a suitable dryer, it is recommended to pay attention to the materials from which it is made, product design, installation conditions. A detailed description of all types of dryers will allow you to easily find the option that is best suited for your balcony. Also using our step-by-step instructions, you can easily make the simplest portable and stationary dryer with your own hands.
The presence of a clothes dryer on the balcony allows you to conveniently dry things at any time of the year. The advantageous feature of this arrangement of dryers, unlike the bathroom, is the minimum humidity in the auxiliary room, as well as saving free space on the bathroom. Finding a suitable dryer even for a small balcony is easy. The variety of models allows you to find the best option with a practical and compact design. The disadvantages of installing a dryer on a balcony include the need for additional preparation of a place for folding models or mounts for stationary hanging models. In addition, on an unheated balcony, a conventional dryer in winter will be of little use: clothes will dry on it for a very long time and, possibly, it will still have to be dried in a room or bathroom.
Functional classification
According to the principle of operation, two types of dryers are distinguished:
ordinary; Drying things on them is made in a natural way. They have an affordable cost, easy to install and use. The minus of such models is the long drying time of things on unheated balconies in the autumn and winter periods.
electric. An electric dryer is a structure inside which heating elements are located. Due to this, each shelf (bar) of the dryer heats up well and emits enough heat to quickly dry things. The best option for installation on unheated or unglazed balconies.The only drawback of the models is the need to connect to a power source located on the balcony. If there is no outlet, you will have to prepare a hole in the wall leading to the room adjacent to the balcony, and separately wire the wire for connecting the electric dryer.
Variety of material
Modern dryers are made from a variety of materials, which makes it easy for owners to select the right product. When evaluating models made of different materials, special attention should be paid to the following parameters:
moisture resistance: the higher the resistance of the material to moisture, the longer the product will serve the owners;
weight (for mobile models): the ability to easily rearrange the product will ensure ease of movement around the balcony or loggia with any area;
adjustment: the permissibility of adjusting the position, height will conveniently configure the model for use by the owners;
the need for repeated repainting / varnishing: in case of mechanical damage to the product or after many years of use, repainting may be necessary, without which normal use of the dryer would be impossible.
Aluminum
Aluminum models are one of the most affordable and popular. They are an aluminum lightweight construction, painted with wear-resistant paint. Typically, such dryers are folding and take up a lot of space. But at the same time, they allow you to immediately dry a large number of things. Small aluminum dryers include hanging models (fixed to the frame of an open balcony window or attached directly to the wall). Pretty easy to operate, but have certain restrictions on the weight of things that will be dried. Thus, if underwear and hosiery on an aluminum dryer can be placed in any quantity, then heavy items (wet jeans, winter sweaters) are recommended to be laid out on it in an amount of 2-3 units. Otherwise, the structure may become deformed.
Steel
Steel balcony dryers have a long service life.It can be both suspended and floor models. Are applied for internal placement. Steel dryers fixed on the walls will last a very long time. They can be equipped with slats for hanging clothes or they can be corners between which the clothesline should be stretched. Floor models can be located in any part of the balcony, but if necessary it will be quite difficult to move them. Such products are heavy. They are recommended to initially be placed in a corner remote from the balcony door and the window that opens. There are also outdoor models made of stainless steel. They are attached to the balcony from the outside, allowing you not to occupy its free space. A clothesline or stainless wire is stretched between the individual elements, on which things will be located. Choosing such models is recommended for tiny balconies.
Plastic
Balcony clothes dryers made of plastic are an excellent option for equipping a small room. Often such models look like a small hanging frame with 5-7 slats. It is on these slats that wet things will be placed. A serious drawback of such models is unreliability. When the dryer is overloaded from plastic, there is a high probability of its deformation and even breakage. Therefore, such hanging models are recommended to be used exclusively for drying underwear, hosiery. Particular attention should be paid to the rules for fixing the product. The presence of hooks makes it easy to fix it on the frame of an open balcony window. But corner fasteners will require mounting the dryer directly on the wall. It is the attachment points of the models that are their "weak" place. Most often, cracks on plastic form due to overloads in this part of the product.
Plastic portable dryers are a good solution for drying your baby’s things.
Wooden
As the name implies, wooden dryers are made of wood.For the production of expensive models, wood of such species is used, which are highly resistant to moisture (larch, cedar, oak). Budget wooden dryers include models made of pine, spruce. Products are additionally varnished with protective properties, which ensures their long service life. But, despite the quality of processing, inexpensive products after 1-3 years of operation (depending on the frequency and conditions of use) may become unusable. In the best case, they only need re-treatment with varnish. In the worst case (this often happens when placing a wooden dryer on an unheated balcony), dark spots (rot, mold) may appear in some areas. Wood itself can become tiny.
Combined
There are models of clothes dryers made immediately from several types of materials considered. For example, lightweight aluminum models can be supplemented with plastic side compartments designed exclusively for drying underwear, hosiery.
They are easy to move because they have a lightweight design. Steel dryers can also be supplemented with plastic linings. In this embodiment, the plastic performs more decorative than practical role. The only exceptions are models whose frame is made of steel, and the shelves and planks themselves are made of durable plastic or polymer. Stylish and unusual are metal models with wooden legs. This combination of materials ensures the preservation of the original appearance and condition of the product for many years.
Installation methods and types of structures
When choosing a suitable model of a dryer, it is necessary to take into account its size and installation specifics. According to the installation features distinguish between mobile and stationary products. A mobile dryer can be removed if necessary (for example, for the winter period).Stationary are mounted directly on the balcony and for their transfer will require re-preparation of fasteners in the ceiling, on the walls.
According to the design features distinguish these types of clothes dryers:
folding: consist of several sections that can be used (laid out) as needed, easily fold up to small sizes and are conveniently stored even on a tiny loggia;
retractable: they are a design that can be pulled out (to the side or down) to access the slats and rods for drying things. Relate to compact models;
liana (rod): attached to the ceiling and equipped with several lowering rods on the ropes, takes up a minimum of space, is easily adjustable in height;
elevator: is a structure having a pair of sidewalls, between which the rods are located, in contrast to the "liana", the rods do not hang down, but are fixed on the sidewalls;
net: wall model (usually located under the frame of the balcony window) with a frame and a grid of rods;
suspended: stationary models, between the metal sides of which the clothesline is pulled, occupy free space under the ceiling.
Outdoor dryers and their features
Installation of a “street” clothes dryer attracts many owners. Thanks to the outdoor placement of the models, the space of the balcony itself remains free. But before you make a choice in favor of an outdoor dryer, it is worth considering these features:
Design. Modern models are equipped with mobile units with clothesline. Thus, to hang things for drying, you just need to move the rope not occupied by things, turning it on the block. Hanging clothes on models without movable elements is not very convenient.
Sizes. The practicality of the selected model depends on its parameters. For an elongated balcony equipped with several windows, a model with a small number of clothesline and a considerable length is ideal.For small balconies, it is better to choose products with a small length, but a large number of ropes and a sliding mechanism.
Terms of Use.
Outdoor dryers are recommended for installation on balconies overlooking enclosed courtyards. Therefore, you should not choose an external dryer for a balcony overlooking a busy avenue: road dust and other impurities will be constantly deposited on drying things.
Internal Dryers
The location of the clothes dryer on the balcony allows you to protect clothes from dust from the street. But it is important to consider both the dimensions and the usability of a particular model. Despite significant benefits, a large model will block the passage through the balcony (for example, to the pantry). It is also important to keep in mind the different installation rules for products. The most popular are wall and ceiling mounted dryers. They are attractive due to their easy access and usually take up little space. And when choosing folding products, the owners will be able to equip the balcony with a very compact and practical dryer. Floor models are often quite bulky. The reason for this is the need to create the correct access of air to each of the drying things.
Floor models of dryers
Floor-mounted models usually take up a lot of space, so it is recommended to install them on spacious balconies or on loggias, which are practically not used by the owners to store personal items. There are two main categories of floor dryers: vertical (high) and horizontal (low). The first are a rack having a solid frame with a height of about 2 meters. Between the side parts of the frame are horizontal grids with rods. In modern vertical dryers, individual grids can be adjusted according to the slope, providing a choice of an arrangement in which things on different grids will not come into contact, and proper air access to all clothes will be provided. Horizontal (low) dryers are a grid with folding side parts (or without them) on a cross-shaped support.Their height usually does not exceed 1 meter.
Ceiling Model Dryers
Mounting a balcony dryer on the ceiling can significantly save the free space of the room, eliminate its clutter. There are two main types of such models:
With separately adjustable rods. The height of the individual rods is regulated by a separate rope (fixed on the wall), which allows you to conveniently hang things and at the same time properly dry them.
With joint adjustment of all rods. An important difference of this type is the lack of adjusting ropes. The rods are located directly between the two sidewalls, which, in turn, are suspended on the "accordions".
Thus, in order to hang things, the hostess will have to tighten (lower) the dryer. After hanging things, she can easily raise the dryer to the ceiling so that the clothes do not interfere with the passage.
Compact ceiling dryers-hangers with clothespins can be classified as a separate type. They are a plastic circle on which there are about 20 clothespins.
In the upper part there is a plastic hook that can be hung on previously prepared fasteners or on another ceiling dryer. Such products are ideally suited for drying light and delicate things (for example, underwear, children's things, scarves).
Wall mounted dryer models
There are many wall-mounted dryers in various sizes and configurations. They are distinguished by their compactness. To choose the most suitable wall dryer, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with their design features:
Lifting. It is a frame (in the form of a rectangle), inside of which there is a frame with rods and side supports. Before use, the product must be unfolded: raise the frame with the rods and fix it on the supports in a horizontal position. Attractiveness of models in compactness and simplicity of operation.
Rod (without adjustment).They look like a pair of angle brackets, between which there are numerous rods. Such models take up little space, but do not add up. Therefore, they are more suitable for installation on spacious balconies.
Folding. The sides of the models resemble an accordion. They include intersecting elements between which the rods are fixed. To use the product, you need to pull the folded accordion to gain access to the rods.
Dryer Tips
When choosing a suitable balcony dryer, the following criteria must be taken into account:
compactness; The product should not occupy a lot of free space of the used balcony. For small rooms, hanging models or mobile folding devices will be the best option.
material; It is recommended to install aluminum, plastic and metal dryers on unheated balconies. On the heated, you can place any model.
work surface size; Determines the drying quality of different types of things. With the constant washing of jeans, sweaters, sweaters (or T-shirts), large-sized dryers with a high load will become the optimal solution.
frequency and volume of washings; When carrying out a large volume of washing frequently, preference should be given to suspended ceiling models or an outdoor dryer. For a small amount of clothes to be washed, an outdoor dryer or creeper will be enough.
number of rods and their length; Determines the possibility of simultaneous drying of a large number of clothes. For a family of 1-2 people, a dryer with 5 short rods is enough. For a large family with children, a dryer with 6 and a large number of rods of medium and long length is suitable.
the presence of a recreation area on the balcony. The balcony relaxation area involves the installation of height-adjustable ceiling exhaust dryers or the installation of an outdoor dryer.
How to do it yourself
The easiest way to make a dryer on the balcony is to install metal corners with 4-5 holes pre-drilled in them. A clothesline will be pulled between these holes. It is better to fix the corners on the dowels. Also, with your own hands you can easily make an entire drying system using conventional metal-plastic pipes and adapters for them. The work is carried out according to the following instructions:
A frame with optimal dimensions is assembled from plastic pipes (corner fittings act as connectors).
Holes are drilled in the pipes at an equal distance to pull the clothesline.
Pulling the ropes.
A collapsible cross-shaped support is assembled from PVC pipes (they should be fixed to each other with screws that are not tightened tightly, but with a slight allowance).
If desired, the device can not be supplemented with a floor support, but can be hung on the ceiling with an accordion (pre-attached to the finished frame) or fixed on metal hooks with ropes (hung on hooks).
Conclusion
The selection of a suitable dryer for the balcony must be carried out taking into account all the characteristics of the models, dimensions and purpose of the balcony. For unused as a storage room, storage space for off-season items, the selection of any types is allowed (you can just pull the linen thread between the corners, use the overall floor models). For a balcony used as an office, pantry or including a recreation area, it is recommended to give preference to compact folding models. It can be stationary products or portable dryers. When using any type of dryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe the maximum load. Otherwise, the model will begin to deform or the linen thread on it will begin to sag. Also, at will, you can make clothes dryers with your own hands.For work, metal corners, wood and even PVC pipes can be used. From these materials at hand it is easy to make a product with a high load and attractive appearance.
Using a conventional or electric dryer in the bathroom significantly limits the area of the room. That is why many owners transfer this element to other parts of the apartment. It is convenient and practical to place a clothes dryer on a balcony with any area. A variety of models with compact sizes, numerous rods for hanging things will provide ease of use of models. When choosing a suitable dryer, it is recommended to pay attention to the materials from which it is made, product design, installation conditions. A detailed description of all types of dryers will allow you to easily find the option that is best suited for your balcony. Also using our step-by-step instructions, you can easily make the simplest portable and stationary dryer with your own hands.
Content
Pros and cons of a dryer on the balcony
The presence of a clothes dryer on the balcony allows you to conveniently dry things at any time of the year. The advantageous feature of this arrangement of dryers, unlike the bathroom, is the minimum humidity in the auxiliary room, as well as saving free space on the bathroom. Finding a suitable dryer even for a small balcony is easy. The variety of models allows you to find the best option with a practical and compact design. The disadvantages of installing a dryer on a balcony include the need for additional preparation of a place for folding models or mounts for stationary hanging models. In addition, on an unheated balcony, a conventional dryer in winter will be of little use: clothes will dry on it for a very long time and, possibly, it will still have to be dried in a room or bathroom.
Functional classification
According to the principle of operation, two types of dryers are distinguished:
Variety of material
Modern dryers are made from a variety of materials, which makes it easy for owners to select the right product. When evaluating models made of different materials, special attention should be paid to the following parameters:
Aluminum
Aluminum models are one of the most affordable and popular. They are an aluminum lightweight construction, painted with wear-resistant paint. Typically, such dryers are folding and take up a lot of space. But at the same time, they allow you to immediately dry a large number of things. Small aluminum dryers include hanging models (fixed to the frame of an open balcony window or attached directly to the wall). Pretty easy to operate, but have certain restrictions on the weight of things that will be dried. Thus, if underwear and hosiery on an aluminum dryer can be placed in any quantity, then heavy items (wet jeans, winter sweaters) are recommended to be laid out on it in an amount of 2-3 units. Otherwise, the structure may become deformed.
Steel
Steel balcony dryers have a long service life.It can be both suspended and floor models. Are applied for internal placement. Steel dryers fixed on the walls will last a very long time. They can be equipped with slats for hanging clothes or they can be corners between which the clothesline should be stretched. Floor models can be located in any part of the balcony, but if necessary it will be quite difficult to move them. Such products are heavy. They are recommended to initially be placed in a corner remote from the balcony door and the window that opens. There are also outdoor models made of stainless steel. They are attached to the balcony from the outside, allowing you not to occupy its free space. A clothesline or stainless wire is stretched between the individual elements, on which things will be located. Choosing such models is recommended for tiny balconies.
Plastic
Balcony clothes dryers made of plastic are an excellent option for equipping a small room. Often such models look like a small hanging frame with 5-7 slats. It is on these slats that wet things will be placed. A serious drawback of such models is unreliability. When the dryer is overloaded from plastic, there is a high probability of its deformation and even breakage. Therefore, such hanging models are recommended to be used exclusively for drying underwear, hosiery. Particular attention should be paid to the rules for fixing the product. The presence of hooks makes it easy to fix it on the frame of an open balcony window. But corner fasteners will require mounting the dryer directly on the wall. It is the attachment points of the models that are their "weak" place. Most often, cracks on plastic form due to overloads in this part of the product.
Wooden
As the name implies, wooden dryers are made of wood.For the production of expensive models, wood of such species is used, which are highly resistant to moisture (larch, cedar, oak). Budget wooden dryers include models made of pine, spruce. Products are additionally varnished with protective properties, which ensures their long service life. But, despite the quality of processing, inexpensive products after 1-3 years of operation (depending on the frequency and conditions of use) may become unusable. In the best case, they only need re-treatment with varnish. In the worst case (this often happens when placing a wooden dryer on an unheated balcony), dark spots (rot, mold) may appear in some areas. Wood itself can become tiny.
Combined
There are models of clothes dryers made immediately from several types of materials considered. For example, lightweight aluminum models can be supplemented with plastic side compartments designed exclusively for drying underwear, hosiery.
They are easy to move because they have a lightweight design. Steel dryers can also be supplemented with plastic linings. In this embodiment, the plastic performs more decorative than practical role. The only exceptions are models whose frame is made of steel, and the shelves and planks themselves are made of durable plastic or polymer. Stylish and unusual are metal models with wooden legs. This combination of materials ensures the preservation of the original appearance and condition of the product for many years.
Installation methods and types of structures
When choosing a suitable model of a dryer, it is necessary to take into account its size and installation specifics. According to the installation features distinguish between mobile and stationary products. A mobile dryer can be removed if necessary (for example, for the winter period).Stationary are mounted directly on the balcony and for their transfer will require re-preparation of fasteners in the ceiling, on the walls.
According to the design features distinguish these types of clothes dryers:
Outdoor dryers and their features
Installation of a “street” clothes dryer attracts many owners. Thanks to the outdoor placement of the models, the space of the balcony itself remains free. But before you make a choice in favor of an outdoor dryer, it is worth considering these features:
Internal Dryers
The location of the clothes dryer on the balcony allows you to protect clothes from dust from the street. But it is important to consider both the dimensions and the usability of a particular model. Despite significant benefits, a large model will block the passage through the balcony (for example, to the pantry). It is also important to keep in mind the different installation rules for products. The most popular are wall and ceiling mounted dryers. They are attractive due to their easy access and usually take up little space. And when choosing folding products, the owners will be able to equip the balcony with a very compact and practical dryer. Floor models are often quite bulky. The reason for this is the need to create the correct access of air to each of the drying things.
Floor models of dryers
Floor-mounted models usually take up a lot of space, so it is recommended to install them on spacious balconies or on loggias, which are practically not used by the owners to store personal items. There are two main categories of floor dryers: vertical (high) and horizontal (low). The first are a rack having a solid frame with a height of about 2 meters. Between the side parts of the frame are horizontal grids with rods. In modern vertical dryers, individual grids can be adjusted according to the slope, providing a choice of an arrangement in which things on different grids will not come into contact, and proper air access to all clothes will be provided. Horizontal (low) dryers are a grid with folding side parts (or without them) on a cross-shaped support.Their height usually does not exceed 1 meter.
Ceiling Model Dryers
Mounting a balcony dryer on the ceiling can significantly save the free space of the room, eliminate its clutter. There are two main types of such models:
Thus, in order to hang things, the hostess will have to tighten (lower) the dryer. After hanging things, she can easily raise the dryer to the ceiling so that the clothes do not interfere with the passage.
In the upper part there is a plastic hook that can be hung on previously prepared fasteners or on another ceiling dryer. Such products are ideally suited for drying light and delicate things (for example, underwear, children's things, scarves).
Wall mounted dryer models
There are many wall-mounted dryers in various sizes and configurations. They are distinguished by their compactness. To choose the most suitable wall dryer, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with their design features:
Dryer Tips
When choosing a suitable balcony dryer, the following criteria must be taken into account:
How to do it yourself
The easiest way to make a dryer on the balcony is to install metal corners with 4-5 holes pre-drilled in them. A clothesline will be pulled between these holes. It is better to fix the corners on the dowels. Also, with your own hands you can easily make an entire drying system using conventional metal-plastic pipes and adapters for them. The work is carried out according to the following instructions:
Conclusion
The selection of a suitable dryer for the balcony must be carried out taking into account all the characteristics of the models, dimensions and purpose of the balcony. For unused as a storage room, storage space for off-season items, the selection of any types is allowed (you can just pull the linen thread between the corners, use the overall floor models). For a balcony used as an office, pantry or including a recreation area, it is recommended to give preference to compact folding models. It can be stationary products or portable dryers. When using any type of dryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe the maximum load. Otherwise, the model will begin to deform or the linen thread on it will begin to sag. Also, at will, you can make clothes dryers with your own hands.For work, metal corners, wood and even PVC pipes can be used. From these materials at hand it is easy to make a product with a high load and attractive appearance.