Beautiful wrought iron French balconies. Classic and modern French balconies Wrought iron balcony railings in the French style

The French balcony is increasingly found on the facades of houses and hotels, here you will learn about what it is, how it differs from the usual one, and see photos of examples beautiful design design. This is a very impressive architectural detail and at the same time cheaper than the usual balcony. There are many different styles of French balconies, the most traditional ones are made of wrought iron, while the modern ones are made of energy-efficient glass.

What is a French balcony?

French balcony is unusual design balcony, which consists only of a large window (from floor to ceiling) and its fence, protruding minimally from the facade. He does not have a platform to go out there or it is very small and narrow, less than a step outside the apartment. You can just open the balcony door and admire the view of the street from your living room.

This type was common in French cities (hence the name), where building regulations did not allow ordinary balconies to fit into narrow streets.

A French balcony on the streets of our cities can be unmistakably identified. Its railings are installed directly in the opening. It turns out that I opened the door and immediately there was a fence, which is often made in the Roman style in the form of balusters or made of forged metal.

Based on its appearance, such a balcony is a large window that does not carry any functional load. The “plus” here is the originality of the fence, or more precisely, its decorativeness. It helps create a unique look. The structures protruding behind the wall give the façade an original design.

French glazing of balconies is especially popular in office buildings, where it complements the strict and stylish look building.

Due to the smaller size the price is french balcony usually much lower than normal.

French balcony design ideas with flowers - exterior decoration

If your French balcony has a small exit, you can install it there potted plants or even a small herb garden. Nasturtiums are especially suitable for the lower part.

Forged trellises are often decorated with devices for flower pots. Hanging plants such as geraniums, petunias and ivy look good in it. In any case, be sure to secure well flower boxes so that they do not fall even in bad weather and do not pose a threat to others.

You can also use the French balcony as a small vegetable garden. Spices, tomatoes or beans do well in a small space with good lighting.

Modern French balcony decorates the building from the outside, and the interior design of the room will emphasize the individual taste of the apartment’s inhabitant.

Stylish interior of a French balcony from the inside - photo

The French balcony is not a full-fledged balcony in the usual sense, but it has its own charm.

The area in front of the French balcony can be designed as if it were a large balcony - with cute chairs, a bench and folding table, and perhaps an atmospheric light fixture.

One of the ideas for decorating a French balcony from the inside: lay out seat cushions in front of the exit or right on the threshold - it will be very pleasant to sit on them and sit with open door and a cup of coffee.

Light curtains, Roman blinds or blinds, candlesticks and lanterns, stylish chairs, armchairs and a table will complete the decor of a French balcony.

French wrought iron balcony – photo ideas

Most French balconies and their railings and installation are custom made. And this is understandable, because openwork metal weaving can only be done by specialists. Therefore, it is ordered from master blacksmiths, with whom all the details of the design are carefully thought out - from the size of the site to the places where flower pots are attached.

Despite their minimum dimensions, a French balcony gives the owner of a unique architectural composition enormous scope for imagination. Here minimalism and classics come together - a combination that Lately especially popular.

The pretentious appearance of the building, decorated with a French balcony, should not at all alarm those who like to do everything with their own hands. “French” is quite within the capabilities of home craftsmen. They easily cope with work on expanding the window opening to field level. Who knows how to hold a simple construction tool, he can handle installing an ordinary door.

French balcony in Khrushchev - photo of ideas

When installing a French balcony in a Khrushchev apartment, there are many nuances. Which option to apply to a particular home depends on your home, so here it is better to immediately seek advice from specialists.

A huge glass door with an external fence, and in some cases, right in the doorway - the simplest type of “French”.

In old houses, the balcony is made with a small concrete ledge. A supporting decorative cornice is fixed at the bottom: classic in the Roman style. This option is very useful in case of complete wear and tear and the need to replace the old balcony.

It is also necessary to take care of the reliable insulation of the door, especially at the junction with the floor.

French balcony in a private house - photo

Classic and modern version s balconies are different. The first one does not have a platform extending beyond the room, and the railings are located directly in the doorway: it’s like a large window-door with a fence.

Owners of private houses often prefer the modern “French” version. The masters offer something between “classics” and typical option balcony:

Old fencing is removed.
The balcony platform is reinforced, on which a structure made of PVC or aluminum is later mounted.
Glass structures are usually energy-saving, which ensures appropriate temperature inside the room.
Less commonly used is combined glazing, in which sandwich slabs are installed underneath.
The number of packages and their optimal area are carefully calculated for windage.

Attractive colors, original accents, convenient and compact design are the three main elements of unique and beautiful French balconies.

Initially, the name French balcony was used for small space, where only one person could fit - without its own balcony area. Today, such balconies are often called panoramic because they are windows that extend from floor to ceiling and may have a projection. The fence is made of lattice - for a romantic touch, so to speak.

Design Features

Our glazing technique is rightfully considered one of the most sophisticated in terms of balcony improvement. Transparent design, which does not have a parapet, is fenced around the perimeter with window systems from floor to ceiling. Thanks to the high windows, the balcony or loggia takes on an elegant, stylish look. “Glass” from floor to ceiling is beautiful and practical, because more light enters the room and a wonderful panoramic view opens from the window.

However, the practicality is low: in good weather you cannot install a chair on it to enjoy reading; You won’t leave things that are rarely used in everyday life. The design also looks like some kind of bent basket, which does not satisfy the aesthetic taste of everyone.

Comparison of regular and French balconies

Imagine an ordinary site in a Khrushchev-era building: fences, sometimes slate on the outside. You can complain about the following:

Unaesthetic view from the street.
Fences prevent the amount of light from entering the room.
There are often cracks through which cold air passes.
Lack of sound insulation.

That’s why the residents of Khrushchevkas are thinking about building French version, considering this solution elegant and noting that modern materials will significantly improve the appearance of their home from the street.

Facts from history

A French balcony appeared due to the peculiarities of traditional French architecture. In large cities of this country, in houses on narrow streets, balconies were so small that there was only enough space for flowers. climbing plants rose to the ceiling of the upper floor, and at the same time a “closed” space was formed. The French also made windows and exits to the balcony as large as possible in order to let maximum light into the home.

Balconies of this type not uncommon in Spain and Italy. Occasionally, this architectural technique was resorted to in the USSR. In our modern new buildings it can be found if they belong to the “comfort” class or higher.

When it comes about home exterior decor, every detail matters: the shape of the windows, the color of the walls, other elements of the exterior. What can we say about such a noticeable structure like ours. This is one of the best ways giving your home an elegant look and increasing the amount of natural light entering the interior. In France, this architectural solution has been familiar since the 7th century, and today it finds many admirers among our citizens.

A French balcony will serve you well for decades, and you will only need to spend money on it once. If you divide the cost of the structure by the number of years it will last without repair, you will see that the price is quite low.

Today there are many design trends for exclusive interior and exterior decoration of apartments and country houses. French glazing of the balconies allows you to open a unique panoramic view of the city. Such glazing is acceptable for both apartments and charging houses. In addition to the practicality of this technology, the aesthetic appearance is also a plus. Externally, the balcony will become more attractive and elegant. Glazing technology requires special skills and has several important nuances, which we will examine in detail later.

Features of French glazing of balconies

Before starting to consider the installation technology, we will analyze the main aspects of such glazing. When planning balcony glazing in the French style, you will end up with a beautiful and comfortable balcony, be it a country house or an apartment.

The balcony structure itself consists of windows and doors. The material used to prepare the frame can be of two types: aluminum or metal-plastic. Such a balcony will allow maximum illumination of the premises, thereby visually adding square meters of space and improving its appearance. And the peculiarity of such a balcony is the opening panorama of the city behind it.

It is noteworthy that this type of balconies is more popular for residential buildings or country cottages, but glazing technology is often used in apartments on the upper floors. The point is that by equipping a balcony in this way, it will not in any way compromise the integrity of the structure, which affects the reliability and cost of the work.

After the reconstruction is completed, the French-style balcony will turn the former gray building into beautiful terrace, which opens at least beautiful view to everything that is outside the windows.

French glazing of a loggia or balcony is considered a modern finishing option. During the refurbishment, the previous enclosing structure is dismantled, and then new windows are installed - they occupy absolutely the entire window space from ceiling to floor. There are two options for this glazing. In the first one, a solid frame is installed and double-glazed windows are installed. The second option is to install glass in the upper part of the balcony, while the lower part is glazed in several options:

glass (transparent);
sandwich panels;
frosted glass;
double-glazed windows with tinting;

By installing a French balcony, it becomes much more attractive both with outside, and from the inside. So that visitors and ordinary passers-by will not pass by without noticing all this beauty.

Advantages of French glazing

Not taking into account the aesthetic improvements of the balcony, there are also many other advantages:

Based on the above, it is possible to save money, since the surfaces do not require additional finishing.

Disadvantages of French-style balconies

By installing high-quality French windows, sound insulation and thermal insulation significantly increases. Therefore, the annoying noise outside the balcony is forgotten. But still, there are bad sides to this configuration of the balcony, namely:

Algorithm for glazing a French balcony

French balcony glazing is used in various designs houses. Multi-storey, private and cottages. The peculiarity of this reconstruction of the balcony is the fact that the integrity of the structure does not change, and the end result is a very beautiful and unique panoramic view.

Before installation, you must dismantle old frame to clear the space. After this, they begin to install window frames for glass. Installation can occur in two ways: you can install a complete structure. can you install sectional system, separated by bindings.

At the bottom of the window frame, various types of glass are installed, which were given above.

The frame can be of two types - aluminum or metal-plastic. The final price of French-style windows depends on the choice of material. Metal-plastic double-glazed windows are installed in cases where protection from the cold is necessary; in other cases, an aluminum frame is excellent.

Characteristics such as sound insulation and thermal insulation depend on the materials that were used during installation.

Unlike other types of balconies French look differs in that the windows are installed along the entire perimeter, from the base to the ceiling. Due to this installation there is no need for parapets various types, and installation is carried out directly into the floor.

Types of French glazing of balconies

On this moment There are two types of French style glazing:

Group;
Full frame.

When determining the type of glazing, various characteristics must be taken into account.

First, with the help of French glazing you get much more light, even indoors. Secondly, there are huge savings associated with materials; there are no costs for upholstery, external finishing, energy costs are also reduced. Third, the square footage of the balcony itself increases noticeably.

In addition to the above advantages, there are also disadvantages. Such as the complexity of caring for glass, the price for installing a French balcony is an order of magnitude higher than installing other types, the need for ventilation, for ventilation in summer seasons, as well as the need for heating systems in order not to freeze in winter.

But still, putting aside all the shortcomings, we can safely say that the French balcony is one of the most beautiful and elegant balconies. You can also order an individual design that is different from all the others.

Legal aspects of French glazing of a balcony in an apartment

To install a French balcony, it is imperative to coordinate everything with the authorities that will confirm or deny the installation of such a structure.

If the balcony is located on the front side, you must obtain permission for installation, since there is a ban on changing the front side of the house.

If permission was not obtained, but the installation was carried out, then there may be a trial in this case. To prevent this from happening, you need to collect everything Required documents. The resolution is also affected by the material of the balcony itself. Quite old buildings have concrete barriers and should not be altered at all. It is also worth considering the maximum load; this value cannot be exceeded. And in the event of a possible collapse, installation will be impossible.

Fittings and double glazed windows

There are various designer varieties when installing French glazing. There are 3 options panoramic glazing, namely:

Plastic fittings;
No frames;
Application of aluminum profile.

If the balcony is connected to the room, it is necessary to install double-glazed windows made of plastic, due to which the sound insulation and thermal insulation in the room will significantly increase. When the balcony is not connected to the rest of the building, it is possible to use a frameless connection. It is impossible not to take into account the fact that the glass takes up all the space and is absolutely transparent. So city residents passing by can easily see what is happening on the balcony. This factor can be neutralized by gluing a reflective film, and then no one will be able to invade your personal space.

To maintain privacy, you can also use blinds. Protective structures can reduce the penetration of light, which will protect the room from overheating. When arranging a French balcony, only shockproof glass is used. This is necessary to ensure the safety of people inside the premises.

If you use multi-chamber packages during your work, you can significantly save on heating, namely, approximately three times. You can also use a polyvinyl chloride profile; it will help to insulate the loggia much better. The thickness of this material is only 7 cm.

When it comes to balcony insulation, you can use foil penofol or penoplex. These building materials will help make a French-style glazed balcony even warmer and more comfortable.

To summarize, we can say that a balcony made in the French style has more advantages than disadvantages, so if it is possible to install such glazing, then it is better to decide without a doubt.

French is a balcony that performs a purely decorative function. Because of the very small area It is impossible to arrange a storage room on it. There is no point in glazing it, much less adding it to the room. Essentially, a French balcony is a door in the wall with decorative fencing, protruding 20-30 cm from the wall.

It is sometimes difficult to even place a chair on such a balcony. You can only go out onto a narrow platform with a cup of tea. Sometimes the depth of the balcony is increased using a curved lattice. In the photo, French balconies are almost always decorated with fresh flowers in pots. The facade of the building only benefits from this design and looks stylish and noble.

Features of a French balcony

Owners of French balconies have mixed feelings about this design. Some see a lot of advantages in it, others see only disadvantages. The main advantage is that there is no need to spend money on its glazing and cladding. In addition, he:

visually expands the space;
does not interfere with the penetration of sunlight into the apartment;
makes it possible to implement a lot of decorating ideas. In other words, a French balcony is needed solely as an aesthetic and even romantic element.

People who are far from romantic think that they are unlucky with a balcony. Among its shortcomings they note:

lack of space to store household belongings;
inability to use it for drying clothes;
a panoramic window in summer is more of a disadvantage than an advantage, since the sun’s rays provide even more heat, requiring the installation of an air conditioner or fan;
the lattice sometimes requires additional strengthening so that you can fearlessly go out onto the balcony and lean on it.

French balconies differ from each other in the height of the grille, depth, width, presence or absence mosquito net, the material from which the grille is made, and other characteristics. The fencing of a French balcony can be cast iron, aluminum, plastic, etc.

The choice of material depends on whether or not it is necessary to lighten the structure. Aluminum and metal-plastic are used for this purpose. The latter is cheaper, but superior to aluminum in soundproofing properties.

The width of the balcony depends on the width panoramic window. The doors to the balcony may have different designs, from ordinary hinged to rising or sliding.

What are French balconies?

The classic design of a French balcony is enclosing it with a convex lattice of elegant forging. There is also a decorative cornice along the bottom to strengthen the structure. the modern version is much simpler in design and is a box made of double-glazed windows with a small protrusion outward.

Decoration of the balcony located on brick facade, serves as a relief arch made of the same brick, framing top part window, and sometimes extending into a frame around the entire window.

Modern design is close to high-tech style: a metal rectangular grille made of straight elements without any smooth bends and in the complete absence of decorative elements. The window in a strict frame of a metallic shade also corresponds to it. Exactly modern design allows full glazing, unlike a wrought-iron balcony, on which the glazing looks ridiculous.

Although today French balcony glazing is increasingly used, when the structure has a minimum of frames and looks due to large quantity glass is easy enough.

It is used not only for narrow, but also for ordinary balconies and loggias. However, you need to understand that you can no longer arrange a warehouse of things on it, since it will be on public display. French glazing must be accompanied by a stylish design.

Today, glass with one-sided transparency is at the peak of popularity. From inside the apartment through it is provided good review streets. But when you look from the outside, you don’t even suspect that the owner of the apartment might be looking at you, since the glass seems opaque.

If space allows, you can install a small bench and table on the balcony to drink tea and survey the surroundings. The main thing is not to allow any clutter.

Even though French balconies are not at the peak of popularity today, the number of their fans is increasing every year. And if there are enough other places in the house where you can store things, why not make a piece of space that unites the inner and outer worlds a relaxation corner?