From privateness and planning permission to construction and entry, there’s extra to bringing your loft balcony concepts to life than first meets the attention. Whether or not you’re dreaming of a rooftop terrace for morning coffees, a Juliet balcony to let recent air in, or one thing in between, it pays to consider the practicalities in addition to the prettiness.
When planning a loft conversion balcony, your alternative of structure, glazing and supplies will all form how the house seems to be and works all through the seasons. Under, you’ll discover knowledgeable recommendation and intelligent loft balcony concepts that can assist you design an area that fits your life-style, with loads of real-life inspiration to information you.
1. Introduce a easy Juliet balcony
A characterful loft bed room by Merely Loft, full with Juliet balcony and gentle country-inspired décor(Picture credit score: Merely Lofts)
“The time period ‘Juliet balcony’ is barely deceptive, because it’s not strictly a balcony – a minimum of not within the sense you can stroll out onto it, because it doesn’t prolong outwards,” explains Natalie Mitchell, property and building knowledgeable at HomeHow.co.uk. “As an alternative, it’s constructed throughout the width of a gap, often containing French doorways, and acts extra as a guard rail than an outside house.”
That mentioned, whereas these constructions could also be modest, their affect on a loft conversion will be something however. “Shoppers love Juliet balconies as a result of they carry in most pure mild and a sense of openness with out the necessity for in depth structural adjustments,” provides Rob Wooden, managing director at Merely Loft. “They’re additionally a wise alternative the place budgets or planning restrictions rule out a full roof terrace.”
And when you’re working with a small loft conversion the place house is tight or exterior entry isn’t possible, a frameless glass Juliet balcony is usually a good method to maximise the sense of openness. “It permits you to benefit from the pure mild and air flow in your loft conversion that you just in any other case wouldn’t have,” says Natalie Mitchell. “And relying in your location, it additionally affords the chance for a pleasant view.”
Rob Wooden
Merely Loft are considered one of London’s main loft conversion specialists, initially based by Rob Wooden and his spouse Helen in 2010, after organising Merely Lengthen in 2008. It began with a imaginative and prescient of making a home or residential constructing firm that might give attention to delivering residence enchancment together with kitchen extensions, loft conversions and extra lately basement conversions.
Natalie Mitchell
Natalie Mitchell has labored as a property and building knowledgeable for HomeHow for 5 years and has labored within the building business for over twenty years. Natalie continues to work on constructing tasks whereas additionally offering knowledgeable building and property recommendation to business professionals and DIY fans.
2. Go for a compact field balcony for a contemporary edge
This up to date box-style loft balcony with built-in planter provides sharp definition and fashionable aptitude to a conventional terrace(Picture credit score: Simon Maxwell)
Planning a mansard loft conversion? A box-style balcony may very well be simply the factor to provide it a recent edge. These compact constructions add prompt kerb attraction and show that even a modest footprint can ship critical affect. Take into consideration cladding your field balcony in a standout materials, just like the warm-toned corten metal pictured right here, or including a perforated privateness display to filter mild whereas retaining issues discreet. A built-in planter will assist to melt the traces with greenery and make your house really feel that bit extra lived-in and welcoming.
3. Body your views with full-height glazing
(Picture credit score: Paul Archer Design/Ben Blossom)
“We’re seeing a rising development amongst householders trying to maximise mild, airflow and entry to out of doors house of their loft conversions,” says Rob Wooden, MD at Merely Loft. Because of this, massive expanses of full-height glazing are a intelligent design alternative, particularly when the view is a big a part of the attraction.
On this loft bed room by Paul Archer Design, expansive sliding glass doorways open straight onto a roof terrace, making a seamless connection between inside and outside. The minimal frames and beneficiant panes not solely elevate the room’s aesthetic but additionally permit the panorama to turn out to be a part of the inside scheme.
4. Uncover the numerous advantages of a VELUX roof balcony
(Picture credit score: VELUX)
“VELUX roof balconieslook, at first look, similar to a typical loft conversion window,” explains Natalie Mitchell from HomeHow. “However as soon as the highest part is open, the decrease half lifts out to type a small balcony with built-in facet guard rails. The entire system is light-weight, straightforward to function, and gives beneficiant headroom, pure mild and air flow – plus a beautiful view when you’re fortunate.”
When you’re contemplating a Velux loft conversion, early planning is crucial. “The VELUX balcony measures 2520mm down the roof and is accessible in two widths – 940mm and 1140mm – so it’s essential to test it suits your house,” says Barbara Entwistle, venture growth supervisor at VELUX. “It additionally requires a roof pitch between 35° and 53°, and may have planning consent attributable to its outward-opening design.”
Barbara provides that for properties in picturesque spots, pairing the balcony with a top-hung and stuck window can amplify the impact. “The highest-hung model is 1600mm excessive and gives a wider angle of view, preferrred for profiting from the surroundings,” she says.
Barbara Entwistle
Barbara is venture growth supervisor at VELUX. VELUX was based in 1941 and at present manufacture a spread of roof home windows, together with solar tunnels, roof balconies and terrace.
5. Flip a skylight balcony right into a mini inexperienced retreat
(Picture credit score: VELUX)
Simply because your loft balcony sits excessive above the bustle of the road doesn’t imply it may well’t really feel calming and inexperienced. Designed by VELUX, this elevated spot makes use of layered planting to good impact, combining leafy climbers, upright grasses and architectural pots to interrupt up laborious traces and create an oasis-like really feel. The location of greenery provides some much-needed softness to the angled roofline and fashionable balustrades, and is a straightforward method to inject life and persona right into a compact house.
6. Embrace a full size balcony to make your bed room really feel twice the dimensions
(Picture credit score: Future)
There’s one thing effortlessly luxurious about opening the doorways to your personal non-public balcony, and in a loft bed room it may well utterly change the way in which the house feels. Within the room pictured above, full-height French doorways let in loads of mild whereas the timber-decked balcony gives a relaxed spot to sit down and absorb the backyard views.
Whether or not you’re overlooking rolling countryside or a compact city backyard, this type of setup brings a real sense of connection to the outside and immediately elevates the room, making it really feel extra five-star boutique than easy residence extension.
7. Get the main points proper with sturdy supplies and privateness screening
A comfy nook for lounging on the roof terrace, designed by Merely Lofts with trendy slate cladding and good screening(Picture credit score: Merely Lofts)
The success of a loft balcony lies within the particulars. In the case of furnishing these elevated areas, Rob Wooden recommends prioritising sensible issues like privateness and publicity to the weather. “Refined screening or planting can improve the house with out blocking mild,” he explains.
To make your balcony really feel extra snug and weather-ready, select light-weight furnishings made out of rust-resistant supplies comparable to powder-coated aluminium or all-weather rattan. Pair these items with non-slip decking designed particularly for out of doors use. For the colder months, a water-proof storage bench or a slim wall hook for blankets could make all of the distinction; small touches like these assist guarantee your out of doors house stays inviting all yr spherical.
Get the look
Vonhaus Hanging Egg Chair
This cocoon-style hanging chair is ideal for compact balconies, because it’s light-weight, trendy and simple to reposition. Add a shiny out of doors cushion or throw to make it really feel additional cosy year-round.
8. Add privateness with frosted glass balustrades
Merely Loft created this compact loft balcony to increase the bed room outside, with frosted glass for added privateness(Picture credit score: Merely Loft)
In case your loft balcony is prone to overlook neighbouring properties, think about introducing a frosted glass balustrade to supply your house with somewhat privateness, with out blocking mild within the course of.
“Frosted or opaque glass panels work nicely in tighter city environments the place there are privateness considerations,” explains Sally McClean, loft conversion specialist at Rooftop Rooms. “They nonetheless let in loads of pure mild and assist outline the house with out it feeling boxed in.”
Sally McClean
Sally McClean has been with Rooftop Rooms for over 15 years, bringing a wealth of expertise in loft conversions to her function as Supervisor. She combines her deep business information with a give attention to offering the executive assist that ensures each venture is a hit.
9. Select low-profile furnishings to make your balcony really feel extra spacious
This trendy rooftop terrace gives a non-public out of doors escape with room for lounging and container planting.(Picture credit score: Merely Loft)
“Modular seating works rather well on loft balconies,” says Rob Wooden, MD at Merely Loft. “It permits you to match the items round your house with out it feeling cramped.” On this trendy roof terrace, a low-backed nook couch retains the view uninterrupted and the environment laid-back, whereas a spherical espresso desk gives sensible floor house with out crowding the realm.
Selecting light-toned materials to your out of doors couch will assist bounce daylight round, making even the smallest of loft balconies really feel that bit brighter and extra open. Add a few small potted timber or gentle greenery to zone the realm and create the relaxed really feel of a backyard room, even in an elevated setting.
10. A glazed hatch is a modern, space-saving method to attain your loft terrace
This intelligent loft conversion by Merely Lofts opens onto a non-public roof terrace through a modern, space-saving glazed hatch(Picture credit score: Merely Lofts)
When you’re working with a flat roof or tucked-away loft structure, discovering a wise method to entry your house is crucial. A glazed hatch, just like the one proven right here, gives a seamless method to step straight out onto your balcony with out consuming into worthwhile flooring house. It retains the inside feeling mild and open, and appears extremely slick too.
However that’s not the one design trick to think about. “Combining split-level loft conversions with a terrace creates house for a number of residing areas,” explains Sally McClean, loft conversion specialist at Rooftop Rooms. By dropping the terrace to a barely decrease stage, you may create a extra dynamic structure that seems like an extension of the house slightly than only a rooftop add-on.
11. Use bi-fold doorways to open up your complete wall
Full-width bi-fold doorways make this loft balcony really feel like an extension of the residing house, excellent for summer time lounging and entertaining(Picture credit score: Simon Maxwell)
Your alternative of doorways will form all the pieces from the sunshine ranges to how your loft house feels each day. “You possibly can select something from hinged French doorways to sliding doorways or bi-folding panels secured with a Juliet balcony,” says Natalie Mitchell, property knowledgeable at HomeHow. “The proper possibility will rely upon the dimensions of your conversion, your finances, and any planning restrictions – particularly if the property’s in a conservation space.”
Within the inviting setup pictured above, full-width sliding doorways create a seamless transition to the balcony house, turning it into a real extension of the lounge. When you’re working with an identical footprint, bifold doorways are an excellent alternative for creating a way of movement between indoors and out; simply ensure you think about the swing clearance and whether or not you’d favor the panels to open inwards or outwards, relying on how you employ your house.
12. Do not be afraid to play with top for added drama
(Picture credit score: Adam Carter)
A loft conversion with a pitched roof would possibly appear to be a problem at first, however it may well open the door to some significantly impactful designs. On this placing loft conversion, the full-height gable glazing turns into a standout function, drawing the attention upward and giving the house actual presence. As an alternative of flattening the pitch or working towards it, this design celebrates the structure, permitting you to usher in recent air and views with out compromising on fashion.
13. Give some consideration to your balcony lighting
Layer string lights, lanterns and candles to provide your balcony a heat, inviting glow after darkish(Picture credit score: Lights4Fun)
Don’t neglect to suppose past daylight. The proper out of doors lighting concepts could make your loft balcony really feel simply as inviting within the night because it does throughout the day. Deal with the house like an extension of your indoor residing space, and it’ll turn out to be someplace you’ll need to use year-round.
Wall-mounted sconces, low-level deck lights or a easy string of festoon bulbs can all assist set the temper after darkish. Whilst you’re at it, think about including an outside socket to energy fairy lights, a transportable heater, or perhaps a speaker for relaxed sundown wind-downs.
Philips Hue Low Voltage 100w Outside Energy Provide
FAQs
Do I want planning permission for a loft balcony?
Usually, sure. “Constructing a balcony will at all times require planning consent,” says Sally McClean of Rooftop Rooms. That is largely attributable to privateness and overlooking considerations, so count on to submit a powerful supporting assertion as a part of your software. Planning restrictions may additionally be tighter in conservation areas, the place, as Sally notes, “it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to obtain the look you’re initially planning.”
Juliet loft balconies are a less complicated, budget-friendly possibility, as they typically fall below permitted growth, as they don’t contain exterior entry or important alterations to the roofline. When unsure, test along with your native authority, particularly for something extra complicated like a Velux roof balcony or a full roof terrace.
What structural work is required so as to add a balcony or a roof terrace?
Including a loft balcony – particularly a roof terrace – entails extra structural work than many householders anticipate. “A terrace will at all times require the alternative of the flat roof joists,” explains Sally McClean at Rooftop Rooms. “These have to be strengthened to securely assist the extra load of foot site visitors, furnishings and planters.”
Mike Storey at UK Flat Roofing notes that waterproofing is simply as essential: “Rubber tiles, GRP fibreglass or porcelain on pedestals are standard choices – however don’t overlook drainage below the floor.”
Usually, you’ll want a structural engineer to evaluate the prevailing roof, calculate load-bearing capability and supply drawings that adjust to constructing rules. Even for smaller loft balconies or roof-level platforms, the appropriate construction is crucial for security, longevity and planning approval.
When planning so as to add a balcony, it’s price factoring in the way it would possibly affect your loft conversion schedule. Structural work, glazing set up and planning permissions can all add time, so converse to your builder early on to remain on monitor.