ᐅ Single-family home – Is a balcony on the first floor (second floor US) practical?
Created on: 25 Feb 2014 11:44
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Panama17Hello everyone,
I am currently searching the internet for floor plans of detached single-family homes. I’ve noticed that upper floors often have balconies, either in front of the master bedroom or the children’s rooms.
I’m wondering if this really makes sense, or what exactly is the purpose of a balcony on the upper floor? Do people actually use it from the bedroom? And if so, for what? I would think people prefer to use the ground floor terrace if they want to sit outside. I could imagine it might be nice to open the door briefly in the morning to check the outside temperature, but is that really worth the effort? And what would children use the balcony for? I think I would be more worried that the kids might end up causing trouble there.
Or are these balconies mainly designed to provide a roof over the ground floor terrace?
I assume a balcony involves considerable costs, so I’m just curious.
I’m looking forward to your experiences and opinions!
I am currently searching the internet for floor plans of detached single-family homes. I’ve noticed that upper floors often have balconies, either in front of the master bedroom or the children’s rooms.
I’m wondering if this really makes sense, or what exactly is the purpose of a balcony on the upper floor? Do people actually use it from the bedroom? And if so, for what? I would think people prefer to use the ground floor terrace if they want to sit outside. I could imagine it might be nice to open the door briefly in the morning to check the outside temperature, but is that really worth the effort? And what would children use the balcony for? I think I would be more worried that the kids might end up causing trouble there.
Or are these balconies mainly designed to provide a roof over the ground floor terrace?
I assume a balcony involves considerable costs, so I’m just curious.
I’m looking forward to your experiences and opinions!
I
Irgendwoabaier25 Feb 2014 12:15Expensive – yes, it is.
Covering the terrace or entrance – yes, that can sometimes be a reason. However, many house design models do not include this.
Usage – many who have one actually use it little to not at all.
But it is a design element of the whole house, and often people feel the balcony simply belongs there.
In our case, we also have an east-facing upper floor with an unobstructed view over a gentle hill into the valley – the nearest town is just a few kilometers (miles) away. The view is especially amazing in the evening. To the west, from the upper floor, we have a clear view over the neighboring houses and our district. This view cannot be blocked. From the terrace, though, you only see the neighbors’ gardens.
Our house type also suited large roof overhangs – this makes both balconies usable even in rain (except for horizontally driven water). I’m curious to see how it will be after completion. As a side effect, there is no need for additional entrance or terrace roofing...
Covering the terrace or entrance – yes, that can sometimes be a reason. However, many house design models do not include this.
Usage – many who have one actually use it little to not at all.
But it is a design element of the whole house, and often people feel the balcony simply belongs there.
In our case, we also have an east-facing upper floor with an unobstructed view over a gentle hill into the valley – the nearest town is just a few kilometers (miles) away. The view is especially amazing in the evening. To the west, from the upper floor, we have a clear view over the neighboring houses and our district. This view cannot be blocked. From the terrace, though, you only see the neighbors’ gardens.
Our house type also suited large roof overhangs – this makes both balconies usable even in rain (except for horizontally driven water). I’m curious to see how it will be after completion. As a side effect, there is no need for additional entrance or terrace roofing...
In my parents’ house, the balcony off the bedroom has not been used for over 35 years. Well, sometimes in summer for the drying rack... Meanwhile, the tiles are slowly coming off, concrete is flaking, and the reinforcement is partly exposed. A renovation is due.
The terrace is located directly below, providing a sheltered area from rain. Also, in summer, the windows under the balcony are protected from direct sunlight during the midday heat.
Conclusion: In this setup, the balcony is useless for us. A canopy or awning would probably be a better option.
The terrace is located directly below, providing a sheltered area from rain. Also, in summer, the windows under the balcony are protected from direct sunlight during the midday heat.
Conclusion: In this setup, the balcony is useless for us. A canopy or awning would probably be a better option.
B
Bauexperte25 Feb 2014 16:20Hello,
Those who build a single-family home for their family usually have some garden space, even if it’s only towel-sized. This garden is usually used extensively, so there’s no need for a balcony on the attic or upper floor. It’s a different story when building a two-family house, where tenants naturally want to enjoy some fresh air in private.
Regards, Bauexperte
Panama17 schrieb:Looking back over the past few years, I can only come to one logical conclusion in the single-family home segment: it has little to do with practicality and more to do with just “wanting to have it.” Just last week, I came across one of those rare examples of the “wanting a balcony” type; I accompanied my partner to a meeting. When asked why a balcony was desired, the answer was “to drink coffee in the morning while my partner is still asleep.” The fact that you first have to go downstairs to make the coffee was conveniently overlooked.
I’m wondering if this really makes sense, or what is the purpose of a balcony on the upper floor?
Those who build a single-family home for their family usually have some garden space, even if it’s only towel-sized. This garden is usually used extensively, so there’s no need for a balcony on the attic or upper floor. It’s a different story when building a two-family house, where tenants naturally want to enjoy some fresh air in private.
Panama17 schrieb:In that case, people tend to build so-called loggias; a section of the ground-level area is set back. This automatically creates a covered area.
Or is it often mainly intended to provide a roof over the ground-floor terrace?
Panama17 schrieb:That depends ... there are countless options and sizes when it comes to design.
I think such a balcony must be quite expensive, so I’m just curious about that.
Regards, Bauexperte
In our old townhouse, we had two balconies: both were cantilevered, with one serving as a cover for the entrance and the other, facing the garden, acting as a roof for the terrace.
When we bought the house, it was 20 years old, and both balconies needed renovation. Because of the internal supports, there was even a damp wall inside the living room.
The only advantage was that you could sunbathe up there without being overlooked in a townhouse complex. The drying rack was also shielded from view.
I believe it simply doesn’t pay off—those funds can be better spent on other nice features, perhaps a good awning or terrace roof, or an attractive terrace setup.
When we bought the house, it was 20 years old, and both balconies needed renovation. Because of the internal supports, there was even a damp wall inside the living room.
The only advantage was that you could sunbathe up there without being overlooked in a townhouse complex. The drying rack was also shielded from view.
I believe it simply doesn’t pay off—those funds can be better spent on other nice features, perhaps a good awning or terrace roof, or an attractive terrace setup.
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