How to secure an iron balcony in a private house. Open balcony: photo, design, decoration. Roof balcony

The balcony is not only decorative decoration, but also a place where you can relax, smoke, relax with friends or family. In urban buildings, such structures are found almost constantly, but in summer cottages, not everyone wants to spend time and money on its construction. A balcony in a private house will allow you to diversify the design of the entire territory, its construction is not particularly difficult, but it has a number of nuances that you will definitely need to take into account.

Source balconycentr.ru

Pros and cons of building a balcony

The possibility of erecting such a structure is available only if the house already has at least 2 floors, including an attic. Construction of a balcony in a private house has a number of undeniable advantages. These include:

Often, such an extension can be a great place for entertainment and relaxation, but it can also be used to expand the space.
Original design A balcony can greatly decorate the appearance of the entire house and site. There is a huge amount design solutions, so that the developer can choose the most suitable option.
Quite often, such structures can not only be used to expand the space, but also fulfill the purpose of the roof of the attic or porch, being some protection for them.
The arrangement of the balcony will allow you to create an emergency emergency exit, which can be useful in case of an emergency.

Source sageerp.ru

However, the construction of a balcony in a private house also has weak sides. Among them are:

The construction of such a structure should be included in the project plan when building the private house itself. An extension to an already built house will be quite expensive, and the work will be extremely laborious.
Before starting construction procedures, you will need to make detailed calculations. It is better to entrust such work to professionals; they will be able to accurately calculate the dimensions of the extension and the number necessary materials for this. Balconies are quite dangerous structures, and their construction without calculations can cause serious complications.
Installing a balcony door can lead to a large heat transfer from the entire house. This drawback is quite common in cantilever structures. Heat loss can be avoided by building on independent supports.
It is necessary to carefully study the need for such an extension, since often a balcony in a private house can become useless.

Video description

If the choice is made in favor of building a balcony, its ideas interior design you can watch it in this video:

Types of balconies

The design and construction of such a structure can vary quite a lot. It all depends on the type, cladding and material of the house itself. It is extremely important that the style of the balcony does not stand out against the background of a private building. The most common options are:

Concrete-based balconies.
Wooden structures.
Forged.

Concrete balconies

Source pskb.ru

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer house design services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

A fairly common solution is the design with concrete floor. It has a number of nuances:

The supporting structures of one side must be attached to the wall of the building. Their connection is carried out using electric welding with pre-installed anchors. The strength of the entire structure will depend on the thickness of the surfaces. If the walls of the building, which must distribute the load, are not reliable enough, you will need to build spare supports.
The depth and reach of the structure should not be more than 1 m.
In brick-based houses, the slabs are built into the load-bearing surface along their entire length. They are connected to the lintel reinforcement by welding.
The top level of the main support slab should therefore be approximately 100mm below the level of the floor surface.
The floor of the balcony should have a slope of 2% from the main building.
Concrete slab must be processed waterproofing materials. For this, a special protective material, on which a solution based on sand and cement will be poured in the future.
The parapet parts of the extension must be at least 1 m. For this, metal gratings based on handrails and racks can be used. The rack is installed using electric welding to the embedded materials of the slab, and the edges of the product are immersed in the load-bearing surface of the house.
The threshold for the doorway should be installed 100 mm above the floor surface.

Wooden buildings

Source balconymaster.ru

An open balcony in a private wood-based house is also quite popular. The nuances of its arrangement include:

The bearing products of such structures are beams. For their production, wooden panels with a section of 10 by 20 cm.
With a depth of at least 25 cm, the board is attached to the load-bearing surface and treated with solutions to protect it from moisture or lined with similar materials. The interval between the beams should be 80 cm.
The beams are fastened with the help of corners or strips of steel.
Attached to the beams wooden racks 4 by 10 cm.
After that, longitudinal ones with a size of 5 by 10 cm are also attached above the console panels. The interval between them should be 30-40 cm.
To ensure increased rigidity, grooves approximately 3 cm deep are installed at the connection point between the longitudinal and console panels.
The floor is also spread using boards 4 cm thick.
The partition must be erected from panels with a section of 3 by 13 cm. They are attached to the racks using screws or nails.
The wooden handrail should have a cross-section of 4 by 9 cm. It is attached with nails to the racks and installed in the supporting structure.
All components of the balcony must be treated with a hydrophobic solution or oil, this will provide them with protection from rotting and deformation. Fences and handrails must be additionally lined with a frost-resistant compound in several layers.

Forged structures

Source art-kov.ru

This type of balcony has an attractive appearance. Its construction has the following nuances:

Forged extension should not be larger size slabs and openings, this will allow you to refuse to cut the lattice. Minor reductions would be welcome.
When installing such a structure, it is necessary to take into account the condition of the slab, since metal materials will exert a large load. The surface of the base must be smooth without significant unevenness or damage.
To restore the quality of the slab, you will need to process the embedded parts, to which the decorative grille will be attached during installation.
To restore the reinforcement of the coating, the first layer of finishing is removed from it down to the base.
If the slab is broken or deformed at the edges, the frame must be welded in such a way that it is possible to fill cement mortar without changing its shape. The frame is welded using metal.
Iron mortgages are attached to the attached sections of the frame. They will help with the installation of the partition.
After all the elements are welded, the formwork is installed and the slab is poured.
The grate should only be installed after it has completely hardened. cement mixture. The same applies to other construction procedures. The time for complete hardening will be approximately a month.
If the slab has some damage, you should not use a composition based on cement and sand to restore it, as it will fall off quite quickly.
To repair minor cracks, tile adhesive is added to the composition in an amount equal to cement. If the applied layer is no more than 20 mm, you can use only glue.

Construction of a French balcony

Source nigaahart.com

How to build a balcony on the second floor of a private house of this type? This design is a fully glazed extension with tinted or clear windows. Tinting is performed using a special film, which is applied partially or completely. Features of installing such a balcony include:

Anchors are attached to the boxes at intervals of no more than 80 cm.
The connection line between the block and the opening must be treated with a well-compressed dense tape, then the outermost block can be mounted on the supports.
Another one is attached to the built-in block and connected with screws located at intervals of 40 cm.
After which the assembled components are aligned and attached using dowel nails.
The resulting empty space is sealed with mounting mixture.
The remains of the installation solution are removed, then the surface is covered with vapor barrier tape.
The final procedure will be the installation of handles and lining the slopes with plaster mortar.

An extension with a canopy can be classified as a separate category. To equip it, you need to use pipes from the profile, which will be used to assemble the frame, and materials for the roof.

Source big-projekt.ru

Often, sheds are built from slate, ondulin, polycarbonate or metal tiles. The optimal solution is to use polycarbonate. Its installation is simple, in addition, it perfectly absorbs noise, has a long service life and is protected from the harmful effects of sunlight. Slate and ondulin have a lot of weight, and their installation is quite difficult.

There are the following types of visors:

Shed. The simplest and most economical solution. A uniform angle of inclination is obtained using triangular-shaped brackets, on which the roof is mounted.
Gable. More complex variety in shape gable roof, will become great solution for a corner balcony or loggia. Such a canopy will be more protected from various precipitation and will eliminate the problem of snow accumulation.
Visor "Marquise". The advantage of this type is the impossibility of accumulating icicles and snow during the cold season.
Dome. Not a very common solution, since its construction will require a lot of time and money. The advantage is its attractive appearance, which can decorate any garden plot.
Arched. It is easy to use and easy to install. It also has a rather attractive design and expanded functionality during operation.

Canopy installation process

To install the visor you will need the following tools:

Welding equipment for canopy formation.
Hammer.
Screwdriver.
Level and pencil for measurements.
Hammer.

Balcony with canopy "Marquise" Source makebestphoto.ru

The installation consists of the following steps:

The first step is to accurately mark the fastening of the supporting frame, and also determine the locations for making holes for dowels. The exact line and level of placement of the extension is set.
Using a drill, holes are made to install the frame dowels.
The frame is fixed. The anchors are clamped and tightened with appropriately sized wrenches.
Between load-bearing elements frame, stiffening ribs from a similar material are placed profile pipe. They can be welded or bolted on.
This stage assumes that the base has already been installed; all that remains is to install the roof. The roof is attached to the stiffeners using self-drilling screws.

Arranging a roof balcony

Such designs come in 3 varieties:

Pedimental. This type can be protruding or recessed, in the form of a small terrace.
Roofing.
Windows-balconies.

All these types differ in properties and installation methods.

Source e-dach.com.ua

Creating a pediment structure has the following nuances:

One of the fronts should be arranged lower, based on the planned width of the structure. A hanging rafter system is used for roof cladding.
The slab between the lower floor and the future balcony is lined with insulation and waterproofing.
After which the partition is installed. The material used for such an element can vary quite a bit.
The wall that separates the balcony should not be too thick.

Source deko.access.ly

The balcony window also has its own design features. These include:

This type consists of an upper and lower sash. The lower part will serve as a railing, and the upper part will serve as a canopy.
Hinges will allow you to fix the lower sash in the selected position or move it carefully.
When open, this design creates handrails.

Bottom line

Installing a balcony in private buildings is good decision. Residents will feel the lack of this space very quickly, especially if they previously lived in a house or apartment with a balcony. But such construction procedures require experience and certain knowledge, therefore, both at the planning stage and at the construction stage it is worth using the help of specialists. First of all, out of security interests. In terms of functionality and design, a large number of designs and designs of such extensions will allow you to choose the most suitable solution.

Beautiful and cozy a private house 1-2-3 floors cannot be imagined as complete if there is no balcony. Beautiful and diverse in form, area, glazing, insulation, placement, balconies delight the eye and give the house its own unique look from the outside. Of course, not only external view is the goal, it also carries a number of functional loads that increase the value and dignity of the house in general.

photos

It must be remembered that constructing a balcony for a finished building can lead to high costs, so its design must be carried out together with the general layout of the house. A balcony can become a high-risk area, so it is better to entrust its design and construction to specialists.

A balcony extension can serve as a place of relaxation, entertainment, and even a workplace for a creative person. Many books and scientific works were written by thinking people sitting in armchairs and sun loungers on the balcony. A balcony with its base can serve as a roof over the porch, protecting it from rain, snow and other influences of natural and human factors. A balcony installed above the veranda helps divide the facade of the house into two parts and creates the effect of a large air space and increases the apparent volume of the house.

And one more point - fire safety. This refers to the possibility of evacuating through such an emergency exit in case of emergency.

Minuses:

complexity of design and construction,
partial heat leaks through balcony doors,
in the case of concrete cantilever slabs, heat leaks through technological thermal bridges are possible,
the need to coordinate at the planning stage the visibility from the balcony of the external environment and the neighbor’s buildings,
additional structures on the facade of a private house complicate and lead to increased costs at all stages of house construction.

Varieties

Concrete

This is the most common type, but it requires a special approach. The concrete base of the balcony is quite heavy and puts a significant load on the walls of the house. If the walls are not massive enough and there are doubts about their strength, additional supports are installed. Of course, they must be in good condition and comply with overall design Houses.

Balcony slabs can be attached to the wall of a house in various ways:

a slab pinched in a wall is suitable only for concrete and brick houses because of its weight. The width of such a balcony is up to 1 meter;
a slab laid on several beams clamped into the wall at a distance of at least 80 centimeters from one another. Balcony width up to 1.2 meters;
slab on thrust brackets, where the strut can approach the edge of the cantilever part. This fastening makes it possible to decorate the structure with any finish from attic to modern. Width up to 1.5 meters;
the support at the end of a cantilevered slab in the main wall significantly expands its width;
the balcony slab on 4 supports already stands on its base and the balcony can be built after the main construction of the house is completed; it is practically a terrace on the second floor.

The reach and depth of a balcony on a concrete base with embedding in the wall should not exceed one meter, the angle of inclination of the balcony slab from the horizontal position must be about 2%. To the surface concrete slab it is necessary to install a water-repellent coating, which must be covered with a cement-sand screed. Metal racks are welded to the embedded steel elements; you need to worry about their artistic appearance in advance when deciding on the overall design.

The parapet handrails are attached to the risers, the ends of the handrails are securely inserted and secured into load-bearing wall. The height of the parapet is not lower than 1 meter. The artistic metal sheathing of the balcony should not have cell sizes that pose a danger to children. Balcony door should have a threshold height of 10 centimeters.

bay windows

The word bay window, rarely used in everyday life, does not even make many people think, like many foreign words. This word means one thing - it is a balcony-type structure protruding beyond the facade of a building. Almost the same glazed balcony, but inside it is a continuation of the room. The form of bay windows can be any, this is a huge field for fantasies and real implementation.

Meet Various types designs: rectangular, semicircular, with many faces, divided and solid windows, colored, mosaic and many others. The bay window is part of the wall of the house, it is not an extension element and the base under it is the same as that used by the house. Above the bay window, part of the structure is made in the form of slopes, but even here they are trying to make some kind of additive in order to distinguish themselves from the neighboring house. Often above the bay window you can see something similar to a turret. A bay window is hidden very well outside under a roof, usually a gable one.

One of the main functions of a bay window, like a balcony, is to change the shape of the interior space, to increase its area and illumination due to additional windows. Interior decoration, design, furnishing of a bay window makes it possible to turn this small corner of the room into a fabulous location. It all depends on the desires and tastes of the owners of a private home.

Wood

First, we make beams, for which we use a wooden beam measuring 10x20 centimeters. The beams will become the load-bearing elements of the balcony. The beams are impregnated with DL-3 solution and covered with waterproof materials. To a depth of at least 25 cm, every 80 cm, the beams are attached to the load-bearing wall with steel corners. You need to attach racks made of 4x10cm wooden blocks to the beams. Then we lay and fasten 6x9 centimeter boards on the cantilever beams at a distance of 30x40 cm between them. Next, we lay the floor using 40 mm boards.

We fasten the fencing made of boards 3x13 cm with screws to the posts, handrails made of wood measuring 4x9 cm are attached to the posts and are firmly fixed in the load-bearing wall. There should be no burrs or unevenness on the wooden handrail. The entire surface of the handrails must be thoroughly sanded and coated twice with water-repellent frost-resistant varnish. All elements wooden balcony or oiled or treated with hydrophobic paint.

It is always desirable that cantilever structures rely on vertical racks-columns to ensure the stability of the structure for a long period of time.

A little about the French balcony

As a rule, the balcony in a private house is open to be closer to nature, the fresh flow of forest air, and the smell of herbs. But there is also closed type, the so-called "French". In a private house, you can decide to install all kinds of extensions in accordance with the tastes and wealth of the owners. Closed, fully glazed with wrought-iron lattice, with beautiful windows made of clear or tinted glass, stylish frames, such a balcony will decorate any home.

But there is one peculiarity in this. It's not the balcony we tie to general appearance home, but on the contrary, even at the design stage of the entire house, you will have to coordinate the entire external design with the future French balcony. Detailed step-by-step instructions for such a design are a separate complex topic. It is necessary to coordinate the design of the room associated with the French balcony, their interior decoration, color scheme. All these are topics for the inspired work of artists, designers, and creative blacksmiths to create genuine masterpieces.

Although a balcony is not a mandatory element for country real estate, most people dream of decorating their home with it. Its presence gives the whole structure a zest and also performs many functions. It can be made in the form small balcony or in the form of a spacious terrace, on which furniture for relaxation is displayed. Without designing it for initial stage construction of a house, many later begin to add it to an already finished house. One of these methods is to arrange a balcony on the roof of the veranda.

Why are balconies built in country houses?

Modern balconies can perform many functions, but regardless of their purpose, their main feature is considered to be unity with nature.

As a recreation area hidden from the eyes of neighbors. On the balcony you can sunbathe in privacy or drink a cup of coffee in your home clothes;

If country house is not located on a gardening area, but has a beautiful view of nature, it is pleasant to enjoy panoramic views from the balcony;
when equipping a bedroom with a balcony, more sunlight. And having an additional exit, the room becomes romantic;

from a practical point of view, a balcony is a way to expand the usable area country house without foundation costs;
important is the fact that the balcony plays important role in the architecture of the facade, making it more refined and decorative.

Balcony location

Most often, guided by the decorative nature of the balcony, they decorate the façade of the building facing the street. But it's far from the best the best option its location. For a good rest, there should be an opportunity to retire and hide from the prying eyes of neighbors. Therefore, it should be placed with reverse side at home and overlooking a beautiful landscape.

The negative aspects of building a balcony in a country house:

the final cost of building a house will be significantly higher;
the presence of a balcony will invariably lead to, albeit insignificant, but quite noticeable heat loss;
The design of the balcony is quite complex, which means it is not easy to complete all the work efficiently.

Advice: before you make a balcony over the veranda, think about whether it is really necessary? After all, first of all, it should be functional, and not just decorate the facade of the house. Therefore, if there is no urgent need, it is better to refuse it.

The nuances of building a veranda with a balcony

A veranda can be attached both to a house that has stood for many years, and to a new building;
it is possible to arrange a balcony above the veranda even if beams were not provided for it;
the type of foundation for a veranda with a balcony will depend on the final weight of the building and the characteristics of the soil;
supporting columns also depend on the size and weight of the balcony, and are made of brick, reinforced concrete or wood;
the ceiling between the veranda and the balcony is made of corrugated sheets, metal tiles or any other roofing material and rests on wooden beams located on columns.

DIY veranda with balcony

For country house It is quite possible to build an inexpensive veranda and arrange a balcony on its roof. For the price, the entire structure will be comparable to the construction of a gazebo, but at the same time have great functionality.

For construction you will need:

for the frame, a beam with a section of 10x10 cm and a length of 4 m is used;
for the installation of floor and roof lags, timber with a section of 10x50 cm and a length of 4 m is suitable;
Suitable for flooring edged board 4 cm thick;
the railings are made from wooden block 5x5 cm;
slate, metal tile or ondulin is used as a roofing material;
cement;
protective composition for wooden structural elements.

Construction stages

The veranda with a balcony is made of light wood, so the foundation is made columnar. To mark it you will need a rope and pegs;

markings for corner supports are applied at a distance of 3 meters from the main foundation, and between the pillars along the walls, the step should be no more than 1.2 m. Do not forget about the mandatory gap between the old and new foundation of 2-3 cm;
when the markings are completely applied, holes are dug 40x40 cm in size and 50 cm deep. A formwork of boards 40 cm high is installed on top of them;
a sand or gravel cushion 15 cm thick is poured at the bottom of the pit, a metal or fiberglass reinforcement and the entire structure is filled with concrete to the required height;
after drying, which takes a couple of days, the formwork is removed, and the resulting reinforced concrete support is covered with waterproofing, such as a primer;
Now the assembly of the veranda frame begins. First of all, timber or boards are laid on top of the foundation, on which wooden wall posts will be installed. They are attached to anchor bolts;

after installation bottom trim racks are mounted. For additional strength, they are attached to metal corners;

then the installation of the upper trim and rafters begins, which are mounted on the racks using self-tapping screws or nails. In this case, the slope of the roof is made small, a 15-20 cm difference in level is enough;

To attach the rafters, you will need to make a run. This is a horizontal beam that is attached to the wall of the house with anchor bolts. Here it is especially important to achieve a high-quality and tight connection between the roof of the veranda and the wall of the house;
the rafters are ready to be laid roofing material, but does not nail down. This is necessary in order to mark and cut holes for the balcony posts;

the height for the balcony railing for safety reasons must be at least 90 cm;
now it is possible to fix the roofing material, and for waterproofing the joining of the balcony and roof railings, the columns are wrapped with a strip of roofing material 20 cm thick. Additionally, all cracks are covered with sealant or tar;

then the logs for the balcony floor are attached to the installed railings. Each of them must be verified by level. Floorboards are laid on top;

All that remains is to nail the handrails to the railings and further process everything wooden elements balcony with a protective composition.

A little more about balcony railings for a country house

The cheapest and most common material for making railings is wood. But to create a more sophisticated facade, forged or twisted metal is often used. It is permissible to place railing elements not only vertically, but also horizontally, while maintaining a safe distance.

The railing is an important component of the balcony design, which has special requirements:

the optimal height of the railing is 90-110 cm;
the distance between the fencing posts is allowed no wider than 10-12 cm;
handrails must be smooth;
the fence must withstand a load of at least 100 kg/m.

Houses with a veranda and balcony photo

To protect the balcony area from snow and rain, a canopy is installed. Often, the main roof is used for this by lengthening the ridge or rafter legs.

The veranda under the balcony can be glazed or open. Looks especially beautiful panoramic glazing verandas combined with modern balcony fencing.

When designing and constructing buildings, any elements of the structure protruding beyond the boundaries of the facade are considered the most complex in terms of design. This applies, first of all, to the construction of balconies and loggias. Their incorrect calculation or neglect of the established construction standards can adversely affect the further operation of the entire facility. Since making a balcony in a private house can be difficult and not always practical, homeowners often opt for covered terraces adjacent to the facade. Such extensions have reliable support, are multifunctional in terms of use and can occupy a much larger area. But, unfortunately, they do not always satisfy the tastes of the owner and the general architectural composition of the building itself.

Requirements for balcony structures

Along with the realization of opportunities to make the facade of the house more attractive and increase the comfort of living, there is another important argument in favor of building balconies. It consists of using them as independent emergency exits in case of emergencies or fires. It should be noted that the location and size of the hanging structure must be considered and calculated at the design stage. The subsequent installation of a balcony will entail significant material costs and may be technically impossible.

The main requirements for structures of this type are guarantees of safe operation. They are defined in project documentation and are based on building codes and regulations. In this case, you need to consider:

the calculated load on the balcony slab;
strip load along the balcony railing;
railing height;
permissible horizontal and vertical load on the handrails of the balcony railing;
width of the balcony door opening;
the required angle of inclination of the upper level of the slab, ensuring the removal of precipitation from the facade wall.

The exact values of these parameters are used during the design process. They depend on the shape and size of the structure being built. It is important to know that wide balconies are much more comfortable to use than long and narrow ones, and a simple quadrangular shape is easier to perform, unlike a semicircular one. In addition, it is necessary to remember the possibility of using standard building products. Their use allows saving material resources.

The most justified option can be considered the shape of the balcony, which is not in dissonance with the general architectural concept of the house. For example, the structure above the bay window should completely follow its shape. Thanks to this solution, harmony will be maintained between the general appearance of the building and the balcony elements, which will give the facade a special appeal.

Basic design diagrams of balconies

Before making a balcony in a private house, you should decide on the option of the supporting structure of the load-bearing slab. In modern construction practice, two types of balcony systems are implemented:

console;
rack.

The choice of the balcony support diagram, the materials for manufacturing the supporting slab, the option for fastening the enclosing elements, as well as the necessary calculations should be carried out only by qualified specialists!

Cantilever balconies

Such designs are the most common in individual construction. Their device can be in the form of:

reinforced concrete slab pinched in the wall;
load-bearing slab laid on cantilever beams.

The protruding edge of such balconies has no support from the outside of the house. This solution is only applicable for buildings with solid walls and interfloor ceilings made of reinforced concrete. Installation cantilever design convenient to use and economical, does not require significant consumption building materials and financial investments.

The main disadvantage of the cantilever scheme is the limitation in width of the load-bearing slab. It cannot be more than 1m. However, the useful area of the balcony can be significantly increased by installing additional external supports in the form of columns or pillars.

Post-type balconies

This scheme involves the construction of a balcony with several supporting elements not connected to the facade of the house. The supporting slab is laid on them. Such structures are called attached. In some cases, one of the supports may be the wall of a building or its corner.

The main advantage of such balconies is the possibility of their construction in houses built from almost any materials. It does not require massive façade walls, and the configuration and dimensions of the “extension” are limited only by the imagination of the homeowner or designer. In addition, possible deformation of the structure due to shrinkage or soil movement will in no way affect the main building.

Additional items

An integral part of the constructed balcony is its fencing, as well as a canopy. Additional elements largely determine the aesthetic perception of the image of the entire house and complement it architectural style. In this regard, the choice of design and materials should be approached responsibly.

The fence must ensure safe operation and comply with regulatory documents, and the entire structure must be securely attached to embedded parts pre-installed in the load-bearing slab and wall of the house. Most often, railings are made in the form of interconnected rods made of metal or turned balusters made of wood, wrought iron, tempered glass and other materials. This design saves the useful area of the balcony, unlike brickwork, which is often used for similar purposes.

A canopy is not a mandatory element of a balcony, but its presence is desirable. The canopy is designed to protect the site from snow and rain. One of the options for its construction could be the continuation of the roof of the house itself. The dimensions of the canopy are selected in such a way that it overlaps the balcony slab by 15-20 cm on the front side and by at least 20-30 cm on the sides. The slope of the canopy should be approximately 30-35 degrees away from the building. The coating can be sheet polycarbonate or the same materials that were used in the construction of the roof.

Typically, private houses do not necessarily require a balcony. Some will consider this architectural element unnecessary even for two-story house, some will be deterred by certain difficulties in its construction and finishing, while others will find this idea too expensive. As a rule, a balcony in a private house is replaced by spacious terraces or verandas.

However, many owners of country mansions and cottages still prefer open and closed balcony spaces as cozy place for rest, sleep or work.

Advantages and disadvantages

A balcony, like any other architectural structure, of course, has a number of certain advantages and disadvantages, which must be weighed at the stage of developing the design of the future home.

The advantages of a balcony include the following:

Possibility of using the balcony area as additional living space;
attractive appearance, beautiful decoration facade;
Free access to the street. It's always a good time to spend time in the fresh air with a pleasant conversation or a cup of coffee. In addition, fresh air in close proximity to living space can be a real salvation for people with disabilities;
Depending on the design features the balcony can serve as part of the porch, roof or veranda;
In the event of a critical situation, the balcony can always be used as an emergency exit to the street.

In addition to the advantages, a balcony in a private house has its drawbacks. Among them:

Extension of a balcony to an already existing house always financially very costly;
The attached balcony is a high-risk structure. Incorrect calculation or installation error can lead to the collapse of the structure;
The balcony door leads to significant heat loss in the room. Unless we are talking about a completely isolated extension.

Kinds

Balconies can be closed or open. The open building is base plate with fencing. A closed balcony implies mandatory glazing of the territory.

Open

Most often, private houses are decorated with open balconies. This design is used as decorative element, so the special value is removed by the selection finishing materials and fencing design. One of the most beautiful and stylish options which is gaining more and more popularity in last years, is the use of wrought iron fencing.

In addition to its unconditional visual appeal, forged fencing has its own characteristics:

its size should not exceed the size of the carrier plate and the balcony opening;
before installation, it is necessary to carefully assess the condition of the plate, because metal structure will add a lot of extra load to her;
It is necessary to start installing a metal grating or other metal structure only after the reinforced concrete slab has been completely restored (elimination of cracks and chips, leveling).

Closed

Glazing significantly increases the functionality of the room, allowing you to use the balcony not only as a place to relax, but also as one of the living rooms.

Glass protects the balcony space from cold wind and precipitation, birds and annoying insects, excessive noise. An enclosed balcony is a great place for growing heat-loving plants that love excess sunlight.

Various options glazing (panoramic, partial, using stained glass) provides new opportunities for original and aesthetically attractive facade design.

Material

Durable and durable materials are used to make balconies. Most often it is concrete and wood.

Concrete balcony

Such an architectural structure has its own characteristics:

load-bearing structures are recessed into the wall. The reliability of the structure depends on the thickness of the wall; if it is not very strong, then additional supports are used;
balcony departure is at least 1 meter in length;
if the house is brick, then the base plate is inserted into the wall in full length;
the upper level of the plate starts 5-8 cm below the expected mark flooring;
concrete base must be carefully waterproofed;
The height of balcony railings should not be less than 1 m.

Wooden balcony

Usually inferior to concrete in size and reliability, but superior in decorative terms. Outwardly, the balcony looks like a cozy wooden house or a hut. Wood is a material that has many advantages. First of all, it is the atmosphere of comfort that natural wood creates, its smell and appearance. The tree is perfectly combined with different finishing materials.

Features of the wooden balcony device:

for the manufacture of load-bearing structures, beams with a cross section of 10*20 cm are used;
the minimum depth of beams in a stone facade should not be less than 25 cm;
the beams are fastened to the walls with bolts or metal angles;
vertical posts (boards 4*10 cm) and longitudinal ones (5*10 cm) are attached to the console;
flooring and handrails are installed;
All wood and metal elements are processed oil paint, gratings and handrails are coated with frost-resistant and waterproof varnish.

The gaps between the lattice bars for any structure should not be wider than 10-12 cm.

Balcony in a wooden house

Most often, balconies are located directly in the roof. These can be pediments, roof structures or balconies-windows. Pediment and roof structures can protrude beyond the facade of the house or be recessed.

If the project plans to create a pediment balcony, then in the process construction work one of the pediments is made deeper to the width of the future structure. The basis for the roof will be a hanging rafter system.

The base slab of the future structure is covered with insulation and a layer of waterproofing, and a screed is placed on top. The next step is the installation of metal, brick or wooden fencing.

How to independently install a balcony in a private house in the video below.

Types of structures

Regardless appearance and size, all balconies have mandatory structural elements. Among them:

base plate, which accounts for the main load;
fencing (parapet);
additional elements(visor, wind screen).

Main structural element is a slab made of reinforced concrete or wood. The first option is applicable only for buildings built from durable materials (stone, brick, reinforced concrete blocks). The wooden slab is lightweight, so it can be installed on the facade of any building.

Depending on the method of attaching the slab to the wall, balconies can be:

with a cantilever beam clamped in the wall ( reinforced concrete slab is recessed into the wall during the construction stage, and the overhang of the structure cannot exceed 1 m);
with a cantilever slab and support on beams (beams are recessed into the wall, on which reinforced concrete or wood slab, while the width of the balcony can reach 1.2 m);
with a slab supported on triangular brackets (this option is used when the balcony is attached to an existing building);
with a slab on supports (an attached balcony rests on columns, walls, and beams standing near the facade).

French balcony also belongs to the category of balconies, although, in fact, it is only a beautiful fencing of a window opening.

Location options

Design projects may include different locations of balconies, for example, above the veranda or open terrace, above the bay window or porch.

Most often, a balcony adorns the central part of the building’s facade and is located under a common roof with the house. E This option is ideal for small buildings. Such a balcony serves as an excellent place to relax both in sunny and in rainy weather. A fairly spacious room allows you to place a small table, a couple of chairs or even a sofa on the balcony.

The log triangular balcony under the roof looks very interesting and unusual. Glazing allows you to use such a room as a winter garden.

A balcony over any structure (porch, veranda or bay window) usually performs not only a decorative, but also a purely practical function. Such structures require a roof, and the balcony slab plays its role. A practical option, significantly reducing the cost of construction.