A balcony is a balcony is a balcony… Or at least that’s what many assume.
But the truth is that there are lots of different kinds of balconies to fulfil a range of functions, beautifying your living space and allowing you to enjoy more outdoor space in your home where garden space is limited. A balcony is a wonderful place to grow flowers, herbs or even vegetables. You can lounge in your balcony while you watch the sun go down, or just enjoy your morning coffee al fresco. And when you’ve chosen the perfect kind of balcony for your home it can add aesthetic appeal and value. Let’s take a closer look at the different kinds of balcony structures…
Stacked balconies
The most common and popular balcony structure, it’s easy to implement while also having fewer structural load implications for the property. Indeed, stack balconies are technically separate structures. And on some occasions, they don’t even share a structural connection to the building itself. Balconies are stacked on top of one another over separate floors.
Balconies are conjoined by pillars which support the weight and transfer it to the ground. Concrete pads are usually cast below the balconies to better stabilise the structure.
Cantilevered balconies
Cantilevered balconies are very aesthetically appealing as they appear to defy the laws of physics. They protrude from the surface of the wall with no visible means of support. They can be made from timber, concrete or steel. These are more complicated and need to be planned further in advance than other kinds of structures. Unlike other balcony structures, they tend to have a very slight “bounce” underfoot. They typically have a maximum depth of 1500-1800mm. The lower the depth, the less movement users can expect underfoot.
Hung balconies
Hung balconies use stainless steel cables which bear some of the weight. These attach to a plate at the edge of the balcony which connects to the supporting wall via the cables at a 45 degree angle. The fixing at the wall makes the most of the available bolt strength with equal parts “shear” and “pull out” forces. While these balconies are less common, they have a distinctive look and great stability.
Faux / Juliet balconies
In researching a balcony for your home or business, you may hear the words “true” and “faux” balconies used. All of the above are considered “true” balconies. A “faux” balcony is one that has railings but no actual flooring. You’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air, but you won’t have an actual space to move out onto. These are also known as Juliet balconies in homage to Romeo’s famous wooing of Juliet on her balcony in Verona.
Mezzanine balconies
Unlike the other entries on this list, mezzanine balconies are actually installed within your home. They usually consist of a large deck area with railings. They’re a great way to make the most of your vertical space and lend more usable space to your home.
Want to know more?
Need an expert to advise you on your infinity glass balcony project? At Sunrock Balconies we create outdoor living rooms using infinity glass designed to your specifications. We offer a complete end to end service from design to quotation to full installation for both residential and commercial customers. We can also consult with your architect, contractors or tradesmen to get the best results for your balcony project.
Get in touch today and we will walk you through our hassle-free process. Why not call us on 01204 668 207 or send a message to info@sunrockbalconies.co.uk. Further information about our full service range can be found on our website.