What's the Point of a Juliet Balcony?
Get an Online quoteWhat Is a Juliet Balcony?
While today's Juliet balconies differ from the famous stone structure portrayed in Shakespeare's well-known Romeo and Juliet story, they continue to hold their appeal. The evolution of this centuries-old building element can be attributed to modern materials, contemporary construction styles, and changing lifestyles.
Firstly, it is essential to distinguish between a Juliet balcony and a larger "walk-on" balcony that provides access to open outdoor space. Serving as a "guard" or security barrier for sliding doors or inward opening full-height French Doors on a first-floor room or above, a Juliet balcony allows for increased natural light and fresh air when the doors are open.
Low Maintenance Solution
Using glass panels, with or without a handrail, creates an elegant Juliet balcony that offers an unobstructed view without the need for railings or bars. Glass is an ideal choice due to its low maintenance nature, eliminating the need for time-consuming and costly painting required for iron or timber structures. Simply wiping down the glass occasionally is all that is required to keep it looking pristine.
Connect with the Outdoors
Where space or planning regulations restrict the installation of a full external balcony, a compact Juliet balcony provides an alternative that allows you to experience a connection with the outdoors. One of the key advantages of a Juliet balcony is it allows you to enjoy the view of the outside with a protective barrier from inside your home.
During warmer days, opening the French Doors connected to your glass Juliet balcony allows you to fully enjoy the view while benefiting from increased ventilation. It creates a comfortable space where you can sit and appreciate the surrounding environment without compromising on convenience or safety.
Additional Natural Light
By replacing a window with full-height French Doors and incorporating a Juliet balcony, you can truly transform a room, be it a bedroom, office, loft conversion, or living room. This alteration brings about a significant change, allowing ample natural light to enter the space. Not only is increased natural light beneficial for our health, but it also promotes the well-being of houseplants, further enhancing the overall ambience and atmosphere. Embracing this upgrade contributes to a more inviting and uplifting environment throughout.
Affordable Juliet Balconies
Modern glass Juliet balconies not only offer an aesthetically pleasing appearance, but they are also cost-effective with minimal ongoing maintenance expenses. The use of glass panels ensures optimal light transmission, preserves the view, and simplifies the cleaning process. Balconette's anodised aluminium or powder-coated handrails, as well as anodised side-profiles, have demonstrated excellent corrosion resistance and require minimal ongoing care.
For those seeking a seamless and unobstructed view, a frameless glass Juliet balcony is the ideal choice. With no handrail, it provides a clear and pure glass experience while still providing the necessary secure barrier. This type of Juliet balcony offers a beautiful aesthetic from any angle, making it a captivating addition to any space.
So, What Is the Point of a Juliet Balcony?
To enhance your view, maximise natural light, and improve the airflow in your home, a Juliet balcony serves as the perfect solution. Opting for a glass Juliet balcony, with its sleek and clean lines, is a fantastic and affordable method to elevate both the external and internal aesthetics of your home. There's no denying that they truly enhance the overall appearance.
If you are in need of assistance and guidance for your glass Juliet balcony project, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly team at Balconette. We are here to provide you with the help and advice you require. Simply give us a call, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Juliet Balconies
Do You Install? Installing a Juliet Balcony
Our Juliet balconies are designed to be easily installed, so we do not offer an installation service for our Juliets unless they are part of a larger project. We have successfully supplied well over 12,000 Juliet balconies to customers all over the UK. If you are unable to find a solution for installation, we also have a network of registered installers & partners around the country. Please enquire specifically with details of your requirements.
Is Balconette the Manufacturer? Or Selling Someone Else’s Product?
Here at Balconette we manufacture all our glass Juliet balconies and have a large two-acre site with over 20,000 square feet of manufacturing, office and warehouse space at our Surrey headquarters. We design the systems in-house and are proud to sell our own products, manufactured by us here in the UK.
I am a Self-Builder, Should I Buy this Myself or Do I Need a Professional Fitter?
We have many thousands of delighted customers that have bought directly from us, some have installed themselves, some have used their builder and some have used other experienced tradesmen. It’s really down to what you feel comfortable with.
Do You Supply the Fixings?
Fixings for Juliet Balconies
We supply the Juliet balcony, glass, rubber gaskets and any screws that put the Juliet system parts together, but the order does not include the supply of the fixings that are used to attach the system to the structure/walls. These fixings need to be matched to suit the building structure/wall construction. We will provide you with the information, sizes and loads the fixings need to meet and these coupled with the construction material will allow you to source the correct fixings. It is, of course, assumed that the structure has been made and is suitable to carry the required loads and system.
You can order fixings online after your order is processed in technical
After orders are processed in our technical department we will usually send you a link to your order where you can choose & specify the structure you need to fix to (from a list of supported building materials) and then calculate & order the suitable fixings for the products you have ordered
Can Your Juliet Balconies Be Made Without a Handrail?
Frameless Juliet Balcony Options
Our Frameless Juliet system does not have a handrail. Our Orbit, Aerofoil & Mirror Juliet systems’ strength and design are reliant on the handrail and therefore these systems will always include a handrail. https://www.balconette.co.uk/juliet-balcony/frameless-glass-juliet-balcony
Is Planning Permission Required for a Juliet Balcony?
Planning Permission for Juliet Balconies
In most cases, Juliet balconies are considered Permitted Developments. As such, they shouldn’t need planning permission but there are a few exceptions:
The Juliet balcony has a floor, no matter how slim, it will be considered a raised platform and will need planning approval.
The property is listed or within a conservation zone, you will almost certainly require planning permission.
Juliet balconies are uncommon features within the local area, planning permission may be required. Alternatively, you may be asked to restrict Juliet balconies to the rear of the property.
It is always best practice to check with your local planning officer who should be able to give you guidance in all these matters.
What is the Approximate Weight Per Metre of the System Including the Glass?
The Weight of a Juliet Balcony
Our Orbit, Aerofoil & Mirror systems will typically weigh 35Kgs per linear metre. Our Frameless Juliet system will typically weigh 70Kgs per linear metre.
Do Balconette's Systems Comply with Regulations?
Regulations for Juliet Balconies
Yes, our Juliet balconies are designed to meet all the current regulations and requirements. Each of the systems will have a structural calculation to show confirmation as a whole and for the individual parts. Our systems have also been rigorously tested, on and off-site. In June 2004, we commissioned independent testing and consulting engineers, Sandberg LLP, to test our systems with regard to compliance to BS 6180:1999 and BS 6399:1996.
What If I Can’t Fix the Bottom Rail Under the Sill?
Solutions Which Don't Require a Juliet Balcony to be Fitted Under the Sill
Two of our Juliet systems offer a good solution for situations where it’s difficult, or not possible, to fix under the sill of the doors. There’s our Mirror Juliet system, in which the bottom rail fixes on either side of the opening, just like the handrail, or the Frameless Juliet system, which utilises vertical fixings on the sides of the opening.
