Wrought iron balconies

 Wrought iron balconies

Art forging, as the decoration of the balcony, has been widely used for more than one hundred years. And although today the metal has been supplanted by lighter, modern, practical and cheap materials, true connoisseurs of wrought art remain faithful to this element of the decor.

Forged balcony - not only reliable protection of the house, it is also his real decoration.

Advantages and disadvantages

The balcony is a continuation of the apartment or house, so I want this place to look no less beautiful, stylish and attractive. The modern abundance of building and finishing materials makes it possible to decorate the balconies practically in an exclusive color and stylistic decision.And today, balconies are faced with plastic panels, metal and vinyl siding, fiber cement panels, clapboard and other materials.

Forged balconies on their background look much more subtle, expensive and aristocratic. Even if we are talking about a standard metal grill, and even more so, about a fence of complex geometric shape, decorated with curved curls and fancy colors.

The undoubted advantages of this type of fence include the following characteristics:

  1. Resistance to precipitation and high humidity. For this, the coating is pre-treated with a special anti-corrosion agent.
  2. Durability, durability. It is difficult to imagine a more reliable material than metal. Forged structures can be operated for more than a hundred years, while their appearance practically does not change with proper care and periodic painting.
  3. Decorative properties. The boundless imagination of the designers and the plastic possibilities of the material make it possible to create amazingly beautiful compositions that give the balcony a respectable, well-groomed and modern look.
  4. Uniqueness. To see two identical balconies is almost impossible, due to the variety of shapes, patterns and other specific features of forging. This can not be said about the balconies, decorated with plastic and metal panels, which, at times, differ only in color.

Forged metal has a number of features and disadvantages in comparison with analogues:

  1. The high cost of the metal itself, and the construction of the structure (however, we are talking about a product that has operated for more than a dozen years).
  2. The long manufacturing process (and this moment is relative if it comes to building your own house, for example, then 2-3 months will not play a special role).
  3. The complexity of the installation (the balcony - in itself is quite difficult to install).
  4. The impossibility of glazing the balcony, so forged structures are usually used for balconies, not intended for household needs.

Forged construction is not only the most original, durable and durable design of the balcony, but also the safest. Durable metal rods and wrought iron railings will reliably save the balcony itself from loosening and deformation, and children or pets from falling from a height.

And it's nice to relax on a beautiful, cozy balcony, decorated with a metal openwork cobweb, beautiful furniture, flowers. A real paradise for relaxing with a cup of tea and pleasant conversation with friends or family!

Balcony height

The height of the balcony is determined in each case individually, based on different reasons - the design features of the building, the preferences of the owner, optimality, building standards. For example, for small buildings (up to 30 m high), the optimum height is 1 m.

In buildings of greater height, as well as in preschool institutions, the height of the balcony should be in the range of 1.1-1.2 m.

These rules apply to both standard structures and open balconies with removal. This option is often performed to expand the useful area of ​​the balcony. The most commonly used option is the expansion or removal of the window sill. This method allows you to expand the balcony space by about 30 cm on each side. The second option is more material and energy consuming - expansion along the plate.

Forms

The shape of wrought iron balconies can be divided into:

  • exaggerated;
  • radius;
  • in the form of an arc;
  • straight;
  • mixed form.

Rectangular balconies are considered a classic option, they are in perfect harmony with any facade, are quite simple to install and practical in operation.

Semicircular or exaggerated balconies look more original and unusual. Models of the mixed form are the most difficult to manufacture and install, but they also look luxurious.

Fences and railings, depending on the shape of the balcony itself, can also have different shapes:

  • Straight (the classic version, most often used for decoration);
  • semicircular (the original version, which allows to dilute the strict, laconic style of the building);
  • curved (used for decoration of balconies of complex geometric shapes);
  • angular (such railings enclose balconies of unusual shape).

For creation of such balconies the flat vertical profile is usually used. It looks great as a traditional lattice, and in the form of curved, complex structural details. The material used is bronze, aluminum, brass, titanium, other metals and alloys.

Types of forging

There are two main types of forging: hot and cold. The cold option takes less time to produce and more budget.On the special equipment, individual elements are made, from which a classical lattice or a more complex composition is then assembled.

The whole process of work with this method can be divided into several stages:

  • sketch preparation;
  • calculation and purchase of the required amount of materials;
  • making blanks;
  • stamping elements;
  • installation of the structure.

The method of hot forging is more laborious, but the end result is more grace and beauty. The finished design is characterized by high strength and excellent anti-corrosion properties.

Among the disadvantages of this method are the high cost of the finished balcony and long production time (up to several months).

Styles

The possibilities of artistic forging are almost endless. With its help you can turn even the smallest and homely balcony into a real work of art. Among the most popular and favorite stylistic trends that are currently used to design a balcony space, there are several basic ones.

Baroque

For this style, there is a certain pomp, overkill in the decorations.It is characterized by a large number of combs of various sizes, fluffy curls and other decorative details.

Gothic

A clear, regular geometric composition with a large number of vertical and lancet elements - such a balcony will become not only a stylish and practical decoration of any apartment, but also a great place to relax.

Modern

It is characterized by soft, streamlined shape and smooth lines. For the decoration of the fence used light, airy ornamental compositions, soft and blurry.

Russian style

The original design option with the use of traditional ornaments, patterns, as well as a large number of plant elements in the decor.

Renaissance

Luxurious decor in the form of a large number of leaves, buds or grape brushes. Often the composition is supplemented with elements in the form of eights and pearl threads.

Rococo

This direction is characterized by a large use of curls, large buds, undulating shells, spirals and curls. Interestingly, the finished composition is asymmetric with some details.

French balconies have been very popular in recent years.They are forged fences of impeccable quality of performance, having a sophisticated, concise design and a fairly democratic cost. Many models do not even have their own floor and are more likely a decorative element for a window or balcony than a functional one.

There are several types of French balconies. This may be a small lattice with vertical rods or an elegant fence, decorated with the use of floral ornament. Outwardly, such a balcony only slightly protrudes from the bearing wall.

Despite the apparent external elegance and lightness, this design is still quite massive, so before installing it you must provide a reinforced base.

Color solutions

The color scheme for the manufacture of wrought iron fences can be quite diverse, because the metal is perfectly amenable to painting. Before you paint the fence in the selected color, the metal must be carefully primed and treated with a heat-resistant composition to fix the paint.

Most buyers still prefer a fairly low-key, natural color gamut. It is black, gray or white.The colors of bronze, copper, gold or silver are considered to be equally popular. Very original look balconies, decorated in the technology of patinated - artificial metal aging. This type of design gives the fence an old and more noble look.

Most often, a balcony fence has a monochrome design, but sometimes decorative elements are used in contrasting colors, for example, a black lattice with a patina of old gold.

Extra Decor

Forged balcony in itself serves as a worthy decoration of any facade. It does not matter whether it is a laconic design or an openwork composition of metal rods.

One of the most beautiful and attractive elements is a floral ornament. For example, a winding vine that thickly twines around a balcony and rises up a curved metal cord.

Another option is wicker baskets with flower arrangements. Such decorations are often used to decorate curved or round fences.

External flower girls make the wrought-iron wrought balcony even more attractive. Light metal coasters allow you to place several small, neat pots with lush green or multi-colored buds.Such a "hedge" will be a few months to please others with a delicate, pleasant aroma and bright colors.

For additional decoration wrought balcony sometimes used inserts of transparent or colored glass. Such stained glass windows can decorate small geometric elements of the lattice - circles, diamonds, petals or larger fragments.

The original shape of the railing can also be part of the decoration. Wide or narrow, grooved or smooth, flat or curved - they are a complete decoration element and a functionally important part of the balcony.

Design examples

The elegant metal construction, despite its apparent lightness and airiness, is highly durable and reliable. It will not only protect small households or pets from falling, but also create a cozy, home corner for morning tea drinking and reading a fresh press.

Choosing the original design of a wrought iron fence for a city apartment, it is necessary to proceed not only from your desires and possibilities, but also from the general architectural style of the building. Quite another thing - wrought balcony in a private house! Here you can give plenty of imagination.The product can be of any size, shape, design. They look especially stylish at home, where forged elements are used not only for decoration of the balcony space, but also as other decorative details of the facade.

The classic French balcony is rather a stylish, modern decoration of the facade of the building than a functional and practical element. However, this has its own charm. Airy metallic curls look very elegant and sophisticated against the backdrop of the strict classics of the building.

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Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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