Planning permission
Balconies, verandas and raised platforms are not permitted development for houses in England, so a new balcony normally needs planning permission. Juliet balconies, which have no platform, often do not - but check with your local planning authority, especially in conservation areas or on listed buildings.
Building regulations
A balcony must be structurally sound and its guarding must protect people from falling. Expect building control to want structural calculations for the balcony, its fixings and the wall or frame it is fixed to.
Types of steel balcony
- Bolt-on balconies fixed back to the structure with brackets, ideal for adding to existing buildings
- Post-supported balconies carried on steel columns where the wall cannot take the load
- Cassette balconies prefabricated units for new developments
- Juliet balconies guarding across a full-height opening, with no platform
Guarding
External balcony guarding is typically 1100 mm high, with no gaps that would let a 100 mm sphere pass through, and should not be easy to climb. Steel balustrades, glass infill panels and mesh are all common.
Fixings and thermal bridging
Fixing steel through an insulated wall can create a cold bridge. Engineers often specify thermal break pads or proprietary connectors. These details are designed by the engineer and built into the fabrication.
Drainage and finish
Decks need a fall and drainage so water runs away from the building. For the steel itself, hot-dip galvanising - often with a powder coat on top - gives long life outdoors with little maintenance.
Ready to price a balcony? Send your drawings, or start with our balconies page.