What is the difference between a balcony and a loggia?

Modern city apartment is difficult to imagine without a balcony or loggia. So what is the difference between a balcony and a loggia? What to prefer, how to use this additional space correctly and with maximum benefit?

Both of the above designated rooms are not heated with central heating, and therefore are not residential and carry the function of outbuildings. Another important function, according to fire prevention measures, is the main escape route in case of fire.

A balcony is a structure that is located outside the facade of the building. In fact, this is a platform with a railing, it is located, as a rule, not higher than the level of the floor of the room and is necessarily reinforced by beams that protrude from the wall. In contrast to the balcony, the loggia is located within the building, in most cases it is surrounded by three walls. Due to its design, the loggia is a single whole with the room to which it is adjacent.

In addition to the features of the structures, it is necessary to take into account the possibilities of these rooms in the functional plan. The balcony has a lower carrying capacity, since the plate, which is its main part, is fixed only from the side adjacent to the entrance. This is connected with the inability to significantly load the structure in order to avoid accidents.

Unlike a balcony, a loggia rests on either supporting or semi-inclined walls. The depth of the loggia is usually determined by the need for natural daylight in the room to which it is adjacent and depends on a large number of factors, including the location of the house relative to the cardinal points. Another difference between a balcony and a loggia is the presence of a roof, which can serve both the floor of the loggia, located on the floor above, and the roof of the house.

Differences in these rooms also exist in size, and the balcony is always much smaller, since a large area can be dangerous not only for the structure itself, but also for the house as a whole. That is why unauthorized extensions of the balconies are not legal and are punishable by a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles. The calculation of the size of the loggia depends on many factors, including the architectural features of a particular structure. In this case, if we talk about typical building, there are typical standard sizes. For a balcony, the size is 327.5 cm length and 80 cm depth, and the length of a typical loggia is 290 cm.

Currently, there is a symbiosis of the described structures, the so-called balcony-loggia, its feature is the combination of characteristics inherent in these rooms, part of the main slab is carrier, and part stands for the facade of the building, due to this the design becomes safer and more convenient to use .

Balconies and loggias in new buildings are certainly different from similar rooms in the buildings of the old fund, including the balcony-loggia described earlier can only be implemented in new construction. At the moment, architects and builders are no longer limited to typical sizes and shapes, and you can find balconies ranging in size from 2.5 to 23 square meters. m Balconies and loggias can be located both in one of the premises of the apartment, and in all, and not necessarily they will be of the same type.

Naturally, balconies are present in private homes. It is worth noting that it is in private houses that they play a more aesthetic role and are an additional construction. But at the same time, the balcony will be a great way out if the house does not have a rest room in which to retire. Here you can put a cozy wicker chair, a small table, hang pots with greens and relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

When planning a balcony in a private house, it is necessary to take into account such factors as the structural feature of the building, sometimes the construction of the balcony is very profitable, it can perform, for example, the role of a roof for a porch. Also, do not forget about fire safety, especially with a large area of ​​the building and the presence of a small number of stairs. But it is necessary to take into account the significant cost of building balcony structures, as well as the complexity of these works.

Another feature of the balcony in the house is a change in the microclimate of the room. The presence of a balcony unit with a door is one of the causes of heat loss, and this fact must be taken into account when selecting a design. In addition, it is necessary to choose the right location of the balcony, because no one wants to relax on the balcony, from which you can see the highway or the back yard of a rural supermarket.

A few words about what are the balconies. So, balconies can differ in the way they are arranged or constructed, as well as in the way of glazing.

The main types on the device can be attributed to the console, on the supports, added, attached and hanging balconies. Most often cantilever type balconies are found in buildings of the twentieth century, where the retention of the balcony slab is carried out with the help of special consoles, which are fixed in the bearing walls of the building. Sometimes their role was performed by the so-called cantilever slab, reinforced between the floors of the building.

A very interesting view of the balconies are designs on poles recessed into the soil. Such a device allows to significantly increase the area of ​​the balcony, as well as create additional decorative elements, such as columns.

The more modern and perfect type are side balconies, in which there are special side supports. To reduce the load on the balcony area, it is also possible to install the front plate of the rack. In the attached balconies are also used two types of fasteners, this is the basic console and front racks. And in the hinged balconies fasteners are carried out by special metal structures, on which the main balcony slab is hung.

Somewhat apart is the so-called French balcony, which is more a decorative element than a balcony in the full sense of the word. The French balcony has almost no space, its width rarely exceeds the size of an adult’s feet, such balconies are conditionally external. Fences are traditionally metal, often wrought, giving a certain charm to the whole building.

If we talk about the glazing of balconies, it is not only the protection from climatic and weather conditions that matters, but also a certain appearance and design completeness. There are many types of glazing, they depend on the design and material used in the work. But it is possible to distinguish two main types: cold and warm.

When cold glazing is usually used lightweight windows. This type of glazing is used if it is necessary to close the balcony from dirt, rain, snow. The advantages of this type of glazing is the relative cheapness, ease of installation, low weight design.

For the warm glazing, double and triple glazing are used. This type of glazing is currently the most in demand, it is with this type of glazing that the most complete and functional room can be arranged. The main advantages of this type of glazing are providing the most comfortable temperature for a person in different seasons (provided full decoration and insulation of the balcony), a high level of noise insulation and aesthetic design.

Classification of loggias by the type of glazing does not differ from the classification of balconies, so it does not make sense to focus on this.And if we talk about the types of loggias, then we can dwell on a few specific examples. One of the most interesting types of loggias are bay windows. At its core, the bay window is a part of the living space protruding beyond the facade plane.

For the most part, bay windows are simple and symmetrical geometric shapes, such as a semicircle, trapezium, and triangle. Bay windows necessarily include both bearing and enclosing types of structures, their walls can have windows, one or several, or have a solid glazing.

Bay windows can be of different lengths, interrupted, to form with the balconies. With all its advantages, the presence of a bay window creates some difficulties in planning the space, arranging furniture, and designing with the help of textiles. But with proper planning, these disadvantages easily turn into advantages, and the presence of a bay window can be the main highlight of the room..

Due to good illumination, it is possible to organize a working area there, in the absence of a separate children's room, an excellent play area or recreation area with comfortable upholstered furniture and a table for tea drinking can turn out. Also in the bay window, you can equip a small winter garden with ornamental or useful plants. And wooden panels on the walls and wicker furniture will transfer residents of a city apartment to a country estate.

We should also mention the panoramic glazing of the loggia. This type of glazing can beyond recognition change the style of a particular room, and the entire structure. Naturally, it makes no sense to use it if there is a carriageway outside or a yard filled with cars. But if the windows overlook the park, the bay, the beautiful panorama of the city - this is another matter. And, of course, there is no point in this type of glazing in the apartment, which is located below the 6-7 floor.

Another advantage of this type of glazing is a visual increase in space. Also similar loggias look modern and very stylish, respectively, raise the prestige of the room. Of course, it is necessary to say about the drawbacks, the main ones include the high cost of work, deterioration of noise insulation and safety.

Balcony or loggia? When choosing one or the other, it is necessary to clearly understand how this particular room will be used. As a complete room, as storage for seasonal equipment or space for meditation. In any case, it is absolutely necessary to determine the purpose of the space, with the possibility and necessity of additional costs for its arrangement.

Currently, a very large number of people choose their main place of residence of the city.There are undoubtedly many advantages in this, and a city apartment can often compete in comfort with a country house. Balconies and loggias help to make an apartment as comfortable as possible.

Very often, these rooms are used as an additional storage place, essentially a storeroom. To use a balcony and a loggia as an additional closet or dressing room is no longer fashionable. Currently, there are many other very interesting and practical options to equip this room. A small apartment, in which there is not enough living space, will become more convenient if you combine a loggia with a room and arrange an office or a workshop in it, it is in it that the owner of the house will be able to work without distracting the household.

If the loggia is adjacent to the kitchen, it can be turned into a beautiful green dining room. Or it can become a cozy boudoir with a wonderful view. And what a wonderful gym and sauna can be equipped with only 5 square meters. And maybe in the metropolis there is a lack of greenery and peace, and the winter garden is simply necessary, and in this case the loggia will be indispensable.

It is possible to make a loggia interesting, unusual and with use inside, for example, a pair of beds with fragrant herbs will please not only the eyes, but also provide seven vitamins.

There are several rules that must be followed when making a loggia, however, these rules are also suitable for the design of the premises as a whole. Firstly, small rooms should be bright, this applies to both the surface finish and the interior items in them. Also, narrow and long rooms should not be cluttered with furniture, the ideal would be the arrangement of furniture at the edges of the room.

Glossy surfaces and mirrors visually increase the room, and a vertical strip on the walls raises the ceiling. Decorative grilles add space to charm.