It’s been a turbulent year to say the least. Many of us have had plans put on hold, holidays cancelled and have been left yearning for that last bit of summer sun.
That leaves us wanting to make the most of the sun we can get, from somewhere we know we won’t miss out on visiting. Our own homes.
We all know the British sun can be pretty fickle, including those late-in-the-year chilly but bright days. So how can we maximise the sun we get in our homes?
Many homes don’t have a huge amount of outdoor space, and if they do, often don’t get round the clock sun. One very popular option to get more of this sought-after sunlight, is adding a balcony to your property. As well as allowing you to soak up some extra rays, balconies can add a significant amount of value to your property.
It’s not really surprising that, due to the extra sun catching opportunity, and up to 12% added property value, balconies are becoming more popular than ever.
Adding a balcony to your house can provide an area where you can enjoy the views surrounding your property while letting the air flow around the interior of your house. Even better, if you don’t have a garden (or your garden is small, or otherwise less than green), you can add a lot of life your balcony with plants and flowers to bring nature that little bit closer to you. Greenery is great for mental health and positivity, which we could all use right now.
The variations of balconies in which you can get on your property are vast, are the options start with relatively small price tags, often adding more than the cost of installation to the value to your property in return.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options…
Juliet Balcony
The smallest, and most affordable balcony – many people choose this one. It’s effectively a door that opens inwards or slides open, with an exterior protective rail or glass balustrading on the outside of the building. These types of balconies tend to cost upwards of £300 and are fantastic options for flats.
Additionally, you’re likely to face minimal resistance or restriction during installation as Juliet balconies require no major structural change.
While you can’t sit out on your Juliet balcony, you can open up the doors to bring the outside in, giving fresh air and a sense of romance – after all, they’re named after one of the most famous romantic heroines of all time. Calling “wherefor art thou” from your balcony is optional.
Small Balconies
Scaling up from a Juliet balcony – homeowners with larger properties and larger available spaces to use can opt for a larger outdoor area. These types of balcony are usually large enough to be able to take a small outside dining set up out there for all of your alfresco dining needs. You might even want to add a small herb garden, bird feeders or tomato plants on their balcony.
Of course, with a larger balcony, comes a larger price tag. These require more work, and you want a good job done so you know it’s structurally sound.
You may be required to get a structural survey done as part of this, to make sure everything is safe and up to scratch. Basic balconies can cost you from £1,000 to £5,000 or more. But they’re a step up from the Juliet, so they’re always a popular option.
Walk Out Balconies
Taking it a step further than small balconies are walk out balconies. These can be wonderful projects to really add a new element and large amount of space, to make your home feel like a bigger, more impressive space.
The benefits are far and wide – they can be a great alternative to a deck or porch – catching more sun and getting better views! Additionally, walk out balconies can cost much less to install than decks or patios, while still being relatively quick and easy to install, and easy to maintain
Walk out balconies are an easy way to add a nice extra piece of square footage to your home. And if you team this with the right location to catch some rays, your balcony will make your property very desirable should you wish to sell up at some point. Although, once you get used to your beautiful balcony, you might be hard pressed to want to move.
Bigger isn’t always better, but bigger balconies do bring in more natural light into the room they back on to which can make a big difference to that room. And you’ve got plenty of extra space to add greenery and perhaps even a water feature and some classy furniture, to make the space a proper haven.
Planning permissions
Often, Juliet balconies don’t require any form of extra planning permission as they are considered permitted development. But you should make sure you check your property isn’t graded or the structure doesn’t face any exceptions – it’s important to make sure your Juliet balcony falls within the permitted specifications. Things that can put your Juliet Balcony out of permitted development and therefore requiring permission are characteristics such as:
- Your Juliet Balcony has a floor
- Your property is listed or within a conservation zone
- If it is likely that your Juliet Balcony could look out of place in the local area and architecture.
When it comes to larger balconies you will need to consult with an expert/specialist and obtain permission from your local council. You shouldn’t let this deter you, however, as well-considered designs should achieve a pass without problems, in not too much time.
You will have to make sure that you follow the planning process, and get all of the relevant surveys and checks done – it’s not just red-tape, it’s there to keep you safe.
Balconies are beautiful additions to your home, so you want to make sure they’re done in line with what’s permitted – no one wants to have to take it back down because the proper procedures weren’t followed.
Value
Research shows that such improvements to your property can add a significant value to your home. Due to the high importance house hunters place on having outside space, it has been reported that roof terraces or balconies can typically add more than one-tenth to the value of a property – rising to one quarter for larger terraces and balconies in highly coveted areas!
Other research suggesting that properties with a balcony can demand a premium show that just one square foot of outdoor space can be worth between 25 – 50% of the price of a square foot of indoor space. Which will add a strong amount to the selling price of a home.
Of course, chances are that you want to add a balcony for your own enjoyment but having the added value on your home is a definite bonus!
If your balcony has a great view, it’ll be even more of a draw for prospective buyers, but even small balconies without a view give people that coveted outdoor space. In light of lockdowns, people are becoming more concerned with the space (especially outdoor space) that they have available in their homes.
About Bespoke Frameless Glass
If you’re thinking about getting a balcony added to your property, make sure you consult with the right people to make sure you get a quality addition to your property, that’s well designed and properly installed.
We specialise in Glass Juliet balconies, with sleek and minimalist designs to create a beautiful, almost-invisible designs. Get in touch today and we’ll be happy to talk through what you’re looking for.