Tips on Designing that Balcony!
Aug 2nd, 2007 by Dan Standeven
I went back to one of the sites I really like, because they always seem to piece together their articles really well. Their information is always informative and straight to the point. Today I found this particular article by Martin Wade at StyleatHome.com called 10 Balcony design tips.
In this article Martin lays out some simple effective tips to maximize and utilize the space on your balcony, not only does he talk about style, he also gives some tips on structure and load capacity, important if you plan on putting heavy objects on your patio.
What I really liked about this article was the diversity, it wasn’t all about design, nor did it all focus on construction and building codes, he put it all together nicely for an easy read.
Here are some of his tips.
“Think about how the space will be used in all four seasons. Even if you don’t actively go out onto your balcony or terrace in the winter months, it can and should be attractive to look at from indoors.”
“Don’t forget to include some storage in the overall design. You’ll need a place for gardening tools, potting soil, and a host of other odds and ends. Design the space so your gardening will be as pleasurable as possible.”
“Check with a qualified professional as to the structural loading capacity of your terrace. Not all buildings can support the same weight loads, and many buildings may not be able to withstand the weight of the materials you are thinking of using. Consider lightweight alternatives to traditional materials.”
Check out the rest of the article if you still haven’t finished that design deck project, you never know you might find some hidden tips.
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I’ve spent so many hours creating a stone paver deck (in 100 degree F / 31 degree C) heat that I wish I had a little balcony sometimes!
That’s why I love designers, because they can do all of the hard work for me! I’m outsourcing that project.
Yeah, I would be outsourcing that project too. The satisfaction of doing it yourself doesn’t out way the time it takes. For me anyways