French balcony

The French balcony is the most fashionable, stylish and elegant decoration of the facades of private and apartment buildings in recent years. It can be found in many European countries. It embodies exquisite design, affordable price and impeccable workmanship. Despite all its indisputable merits, many people still have not heard and do not know about this amazingly beautiful architectural element. About him and everything that concerns him will be discussed in our article.

Surely people who have never heard of such a balcony have seen it anyway. This type of French glazing in translation means - door to window. In fact, this is not a balcony in the usual sense of this concept, but a beautiful window railing.

Originally, this tiny platform, protruding from the window, on which only one person could fit, was used as ventilation. Today, this name is understood as a miniature platform with a fence (most often of forged metal) for panoramic windows.

The functional load that such a balcony performs is minimal, and it can no longer be called the main source of ventilation either. Now it is a magnificent, unusual beauty decoration for the facade.

In addition, such a platform, fence and railings can be used to create a winter garden or a small greenhouse. The house, decorated with French balconies with floral arrangements, looks very sophisticated and elegant.

Today, there are two main types of such balconies: traditional and modern. The first option is characterized by the complete absence of an observation deck, and the fence is located around the doorway. Some models allow for a minimum area of ​​about a step.

The modern version differs from the classic one in the absence of a parapet. Instead, the balcony space is fully glazed from ceiling to floor.

Advantages:

1. Significant savings in money on installation, additional reinforcement and finishing of the fence.
2. No need for external balcony finishing (corrugated board, metal or vinyl siding).
3. Saving on inner lining and insulation.
4. A good source of natural light.
5. The absence of insulation and inner lining does not reduce the useful area of ​​the structure.
6. Luxurious panoramic view, inaccessible to conventional models of balconies.
7. Fast and clean installation.
8. Excellent decorative properties.

Disadvantages:

1. Lack of a window sill.
2. The need for additional reinforcement of the frame.
3. In the cold season, such a balcony needs heating, and in the summer - additional ventilation.
4. Quite high installation cost.
5. Impractical (panoramic glazing needs frequent and thorough cleaning).

The French balcony can be fitted with additional accessories such as a mosquito net. Different materials are used for its manufacture, its cost will directly depend on this. The doors can be blind, open partially or completely. For decoration, forged metal, stained glass, frosted glass, mirror film or a combination of several materials can be used.

A balcony without a platform is a very simple but elegant design with a glass balcony door and a metal railing on the outside. Ideal for opening a window, breathing fresh air or enjoying the beautiful view.

A balcony with a small area is a more complex constructive option. It implies the presence of a protruding concrete element. Such a balcony allows you to literally go one step outside the room and enjoy your morning coffee in the fresh air.

These are the main types of this architectural structure. They differ from each other not only in structural features and design, but also in the way they are attached to the building. Fastening can be point-like using a small amount of metal elements, using metal pipes or a profile.

The materials from which the window is made have a significant impact on the appearance of the finished product. The window profile can be made of wood, metal or plastic, and the glass can be chosen from transparent, frosted, tinted or colored.

The design of the balcony can also be very different. Someone likes strict classics and clear geometric lines, someone will like forged lattices with petals, curls and shells. The railing and railings can have a very different geometric shape, thickness, size, decor. For their manufacture, you can use standard options or use an individual customer's sketch.

A wrought-iron balcony is the most popular type of this type of architectural structure. Forged metal elements allow creating fragile and delicate compositions that perfectly set off the beauty of the balcony and emphasize its impeccable appearance. Metal is a very ductile and obedient material. This property is responsible for the widest range of forged products: from the simplest geometric elements to complex compositions.

As an ornament for creating decorative metal elements, plant patterns, flowers, fruits are most often used. Balconies with artificially aged or covered with gold leaf balconies look even more stylish and impressive. Such models resemble balconies of ancient castles and palaces.

The graceful and sophisticated form of French balconies is in itself a wonderful decorative addition to any facade. However, with the help of some additional elements and decorations, it can be further refined and improved. For example, using crosspieces - decorative or constructive window grilles. Black, golden, silver, snow-white spros can divide the window into regular geometric shapes (rhombuses, squares, rectangles) or create more complex and unusual compositions using semicircles, cells, honeycombs.

Using colored glass is another great way to make your balcony stand out. Tinted glass will help dim sunlight, while frosted glass will create a beautiful decorative effect. And multi-colored glass, laid out in an intricate ornament or picture, will give the balcony a well-groomed and expensive look. It is not for nothing that stained glass windows have been considered one of the most beautiful and expensive adornments of palaces and churches since ancient times.

Forged elements are a win-win option for decorating any kind of balcony. Small or large curls, flower buds, butterflies, sculptural compositions invariably attract the enthusiastic glances of others.

When choosing a suitable option for curtains, you need to remember a few nuances:

• one of the advantages of panoramic glazing is the feeling of free space, so curtains or curtains should only enhance this effect. Materials for their manufacture should be light, light, transparent;
• functionality (blinds or curtains should quickly and easily cover and open the window if necessary);
• practicality in care (curtains should be easy to wash, clean or wash),

A French balcony implies a very small external space, which, no less than standard architectural structures, needs arrangement and decoration. Elements made of wood, forging, plastic can be used as external and internal decor. These can be original lanterns or elegant candlesticks. A small country umbrella or other structure in the form of a visor will help protect the balcony space from rain or the scorching rays of the sun.

Flowers are the best decoration for any balcony. Floral arrangements placed on the parapet, along the fence or climbing vines that adorn the entire balcony create a real "hedge" that will delight the eyes of the owners and those around them for several months a year.

To refine your balcony and give it a well-groomed look with the help of fresh flowers, you can use the simple rules for arranging a flower garden:

• horizontal (multi-tiered) planting of compact, bright flowers (pansies, nasturtium, petunias);
• vertical planting of climbing plants (ampelous fuchsia, sweet peas, morning glory);
• ceiling planting (plants frame the upper part nicely).

Modern models of French balconies make it possible to play up the available small space in an interesting and unusual way. For example, place compact furniture (folding table and chair, decorated with bright textile bedspreads, tablecloths, covers) or even put a compact balcony swing.

The French balcony performs, first of all, a decorative function, so it is quite possible to build it with your own hands. This is feasible when it comes to the classic version - a decorative grille around the window. If the preference is given to modern models, then partial assistance of professionals may be needed here. First you need to decide on the design, type of glass unit, choose materials for the frame.

What is important to know before ordering a French balcony in the next video.

The installation of the balcony is carried out in stages. To begin with, the necessary measurements are taken, and an inspection of the finishing elements is carried out. The construction of metal-plastic or other material from which the glass units are made is reinforced with a profile and securely fastened according to the installation scheme specially developed for such balconies.

An old balcony can also turn into a French architectural element, or rather, into its likeness. To do this, it is necessary to dismantle the railing, remove the fence and strengthen the concrete base plate. The next stage will be the installation of aluminum or metal-plastic double-glazed windows. The final stage is finishing, decoration, landscaping.

To make such a balcony interesting and original, you can use your own ideas or turn to ready-made design developments. A balcony in a private house, of course, gives more opportunities for applying creative and bold ideas. The design of the balcony in Khrushchev requires compliance with the general style of the facade. Here are some interesting options:

• French glazing for a Khrushchev apartment. Only a concrete base remained from the old balcony, and instead of a concrete and metal fence, panoramic double-glazed windows were installed. The graceful forged lattice makes the balcony look like its French counterpart.

• The classic option is floor-to-ceiling glazing + a neat wrought-iron fence. A beautiful, stylish and modern facade.
• Even the smallest and most modest balcony can be turned into a stylish facade decoration with the help of bright and abundantly flowering plants. The combination of greenery with rich color buds gives any balcony a fresh, well-groomed and truly blooming look.