You can add a balcony to your home when you get a loft conversion, extension or other building work done.

There are a few things to consider when adding a balcony to a property which doesn’t already have one:

What type of Balcony?

There are four main types of balcony to choose from, some of which may be unsuitable for certain types of property:

A raised platform is the most traditional looking type of balcony where there is a separate platform sticking out from the main building with a door leading to it and some sort of balustrade around the edges.

A rooftop balcony is a flat roof with a door access and balustrade around the edges.

A window balcony is a special type of roof light which is fitted between the rafters of a roof (usually as part of a loft conversion) which opens out to form a platform and balustrade big enough for a person to stand or sit on.

A Juliet balcony is effectively a set of double doors with a balustrade across it, allowing a lot of air and light into a room above ground level without allowing the occupant to go outside.

A Bi-Fold balcony is where the upper part of one wall in a room is removed and replaced with a series of connected windows which can be opened and folded away together at one end, leaving the remaining wall to act as a balustrade and turning the entire room into a balcony.

Where on the property will it be?

Some types of balconies lend themselves to being built in certain places, such as a window balcony which can only be built in a sloping roof.

A rooftop balcony can only be built on a flat roof, so if you are planning to build a single storey extension you could make an access to the roof from a room on the first floor.

If you are having a double height extension, you could have access from a dormer or mansard with a loft conversion.

A Juliet balcony can be built in any vertical wall or in the side of a dormer as part of a loft conversion.

Bi-fold balconies are be built into a wall and benefit from having larger walls to be built into to get the best effect.

Do I need planning permission for a balcony?

With the exception of Juliet Balconies, all types of balcony will need planning permission.

Most of the types of balcony listed will give you a better view of your neighbours (assuming that you have some) and this is likely to be grounds for rejection if you live in quite a built up area.

Having Bi-fold windows doesn’t technically give you a better view than you have previously, but it will require planning permission because it is a significant change to the existing windows, replacing one or two windows with an entire wall of them.

If you would like some advice about building a balcony, extension or loft conversion, please give us a call.

Should I try to design my own loft conversion? 

A loft conversion is arguably the most difficult type of home improvement project one can attempt because it requires modification of structural elements at height in a confined space. The design and administrative side of such a project can also be very involved and require the skills of professional architects and engineers. 

Unless you have considerable experience in the building trade, it is not recommended that you attempt a loft conversion as a self-build project. At Amazing Lofts, we can take your loft conversion project from conception to completion as a fully managed service, design and build. 

If you do decide to design your own loft conversion, these are the things you will need to consider: 

What Kind of Loft Conversion Will Do You Build? 

The size, shape and type of your house may set limits on what kind of conversion you can have. If you have a terrace house in a street opposite more terrace houses, you may only be able to have dormers and roof lights.  

Larger, semi or detached properties may have more options open to them, but with increasing size and complexity comes increasing cost; the budget is often a major limiting factor in loft conversions because clients rarely appreciate how expensive they can be until they embark upon a project of their own. 

Layout and Design 

Good design is the foundation of a successful loft conversion and the more you can plan up front the better your project will be. There are so many considerations with regard to design in a loft conversion, such as: 

Good design will not only make the construction of the loft conversion easier, it will also make it a better place to live/work/play in once it is finished.  

Planning Permission 

Some types of loft conversion don't require planning permission and can be built under what is known as 'permitted development', provided they meet certain criteria. 

As an example, if you decide to have roof lights in the front elevation of your roof and a dormer at the rear, this would likely be considered permitted development, as long as the building is not listed or in a conservation area. 

If you want to have dormers at the front of the house or a mansard conversion, you will need planning permission which requires a formal application. A planning application will need a lot of technical drawings to be prepared by a designer and there is every chance your proposal may be rejected by the local planning authority if it is: 

Building Regulations 

Before you start construction you will need to submit an application to building control. This application will vary in size and complexity with your project, but it is possible that you will have to do structural calculations and drawings for the changes you are making to the property, as well as explain what materials you are using and how your design will comply with the building regulations for: 

The design of loft conversion is a complicated task, but it is something we can help you with because we have designed and built lots of them, so please give us a ring to talk about your project. 

 

There are lots of things to choose from when having a loft conversion; here are some of the typical choices our clients have to think about: 

Type of Loft Conversion 

The type of loft conversion will usually be determined partly by the existing property and also by the budget of the client. 

There are four main types of loft conversion which you can read about in detail here <LINK TO OTHER PAGE> but in summary they are: 

A hip-to-gable loft conversion can only be performed on a roof with hips, which is commonly semi-detached and detached houses. 

Roof light conversions are the cheapest but yield the least usable space of all the options.  

Dormer are the most popular type of loft conversion and can be used in conjunction with roof lights and hip-to-gable conversions.  

Room Layout 

For smaller conversions, there may only be space for one room and there may only be one sensible location for the new staircase to go, but for bigger conversions, there are more options. 

A large roof space with a loft conversion could accommodate possibly two bedrooms or a single large bedroom with an en suite. 

Unless a mansard conversion is chosen, the room(s) will have sloping walls on at least one side which may affect where you choose to have certain features, such as windows and doors. 

Windows 

The size and number of windows in a loft conversion will have a big impact on how the room(s) feel and look. A space with lots of natural light will be more appealing to be in than a badly lit one.  

Loft extensions with dormers, gables or mansards can have traditional windows in them, whereas the pitched roofs can have roof light style windows.  

Having pitched roofs doesn't have to limit you to having small windows - it is possible to get quite large roof lights and even extra-long ones which turn into mini balconies. 

Balconies 

A balcony is a very attractive feature for any loft conversion and there are several ways of doing it: 

Having a balcony can completely change the feel and usage of a room, even if it is only a Juliet balcony. 

Interior Design 

The internal fittings and finishes of a loft conversion will vary depending on what the final use for it is intended to be. Bedrooms are more likely to have carpet and tiled bathrooms, whereas gyms or offices might suit a wooden floor.  

There are a host of other items to consider, such as: 

Here are Amazing Lofts we can help you with all of these things and more, so please give us a call about your project today! 

 

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