The design of the fencing of a balcony or loggia is a rather complicated process. In addition to the fact that you must not make a mistake with the choice of material, you also need to choose a specific design that fits into the picture of the house itself. It is easy to make mistakes at any of these stages, but it is far from always possible to correct the negative consequences.
Fencing criteria for a balcony or loggia
Content
The first thing to decide is the purpose of the extra space. It can be a resting place, or it can be used as a compartment for storing things. After that, you should already start everything else.
According to safety measures in the balcony area:
- Each meter of balcony railing must withstand at least 10 kg.
- Mandatory the presence of vertical jumpers at a distance of at least 12 centimeters.
- The grill must be attached to the wall and floor.
- The materials used must have high temperature resistance.
Do not forget about fire safety, because, according to statistics, a large number of fires in residential buildings begins with the attached areas
Fencing materials
Modern building stores offer many different materials with which your balcony will meet all standards of quality and reliability. The most popular options are presented below.
Stainless steel
Balcony fences made of this metal are famous for their accessibility and quality. With its help it is possible to make both a simple fencing of a loggia, and decorative furnish (twisted, blown lattices, etc.). The handrail from stainless steel, in addition to being very durable, also looks extremely stylish. It also harmoniously combines with other materials (for example, polycarbonate). And with proper planning and consideration of all requirements, your balcony fence will serve faithfully for more than a decade.
Forged metal
The wrought-iron balcony railing looks harmonious on almost any building and, given its relative cheapness, is famous for its durability. However, it requires very strong personal care. Otherwise, corrosion will ruin the whole appearance. Largely because of this, many buyers bypass forging, preferring something more expensive, but less demanding.
Plastic or glass
The fences for the balcony in this case are made in the form of PVC sections or panels. The main advantages of this material are its plasticity, which allows you to give the product any shape and low price.The first is related to its other advantage - ease of installation. That is why he won popular love and even on the central streets of many cities you can meet such extensions.
Tree
The balcony railings made of wood are most often installed in private homes. On high-rise buildings, they look ridiculous. The ease of processing allows an experienced craftsman to realize his imagination and create an unusual product of any shape. And the natural beauty of wood will add a special effect not only to the balcony, but also to the house itself. Perhaps the only negative is the extremely high cost and instability to moisture without specialized processing.
Mounting of wooden railings should only be done on the floor.
Cast iron
The most reliable and durable material. Safety plus durability combined with not the highest cost of all work. However, it is very susceptible to corrosion and for a long service life it must be coated with special substances that provide protection against rust.
Options for installing fences in the interior of the balcony and loggia
The question of installing balcony fences made of metal, or from what else - is exclusively a matter of taste. Someone prefers classics, minimalism. Someone important pretentiousness, symmetry, or vice versa, the asymmetry of the lines. The Internet is literally full of diverse design ideas. And to find something that suits you is not difficult.
Ask your housing company if this design is acceptable. It often happens that it forbids any redevelopment, or in itself it is impossible based on the parameters of the building.
Varieties of balcony railings
- Open. The main advantage of this type of metal balcony fencing is its minimal pollution. In large cities, where tens of thousands of cars can drive per day, the problem of the cleanliness of the loggia zone is one of the paramount. Other materials, such as glass or polycarbonate, are more demanding to clean. The main disadvantage is insecurity from unexpected rainfall. But, in general, such a layout is suitable for those who use a balcony for smoke breaks or as a place where you can go out to breathe.
- Closed. Ideal for those who use the free space to store unused things or relax. With proper glazing, your balcony area will not be snowy or flooded with rain. In addition to this, it can be insulated and you will have a cozy, and, most importantly, a warm place for privacy. But, the main minus is the resistance to odors. Heavy smokers or lovers of odorous things have to constantly ventilate the balcony.
Types of balcony railings
Direct
Strict classic. Clarity of lines, a minimum of pretentiousness and colorfulness. It fits perfectly into the interior of any home. This design option will never go out of style and even after a few years your loggia will correspond to all the canons of style.
French
Small fences without foundation. The best budget option. Compact and at the same time sophistication. But, unfortunately, this design does not carry any functions other than design.
Floral
The flower forged basket, in addition to looking great, also supports pallets. A similar image is made and the staircase with a cornice. But among all the decor options - this is one of the most expensive. This is largely due to the fact that doing something like this yourself is not realistic. Therefore, you have to trust this business to professionals. The price per meter starts at 4000-5000 rubles.
Video: Stylish railings on balconies and terraces
Design photos of a balcony with a guard
Thus, summing up all of the above, it should be noted that the choice of fencing for a balcony is one of the most difficult stages in the construction of the loggia zone. Before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with a number of requirements, so as not to be disappointed with the result.