Balcony and terrace: design features
Balconies and terraces are not mere decorations of a home but also its functional elements. These are a perfect place for having a nice time with your friends or for relaxation. You can set a table at a balcony or a terrace and spend time with your family enjoying the view any season of the year.
When designing a balcony, it is important to pay special attention to its structure because this is a complex external element that requires additional fastening. There are two methods for building balconies in log homes:
- Balconies resting on the supports. This method involves special supporting racks placed on the terrace, for example, pillars. This method has a shortcoming though – exposure to precipitation and sagging. To avoid this, the balcony must be installed on shortened posts with a shrinkage compensator and get adjusted with a jack until the house settles down.
- Balconies resting on the wall projections. Under this method, the structure rests on the wall’s projections. This balcony does not need to be adjusted as it sags and it fits perfectly into the general style of the house. This technology allows building balconies on any side of a house, not only on the porch or terrace side.
To protect against rainfall and direct sunlight, it is recommended to add a canopy to your a balcony. This may even be a separate marquee but roof projection is more common.
When choosing a finishing floor for your balcony or terrace, it is important to consider how you will use the house and what is the environmental impact. The most common material for flooring is wood of durable species (oak, larch). These are very durable and do not emit tar spots under high temperatures. Floors in open terraces and balconies can be made with typical longitudinal grooves – these will collect the water, and it won’t be left on the floor surface. To avoid water getting on the walls, the floor must be done with a slight slope – 1-2 cm per each meter on average (1-1.5%).
When arranging an open terrace or a balcony, it is important to think about fencing. Depending on the house’s style, these can be carved poles, planed balusters or light column-shaped railings. The fence performs not only a decorative function – it provides regular ventilation. During installation and after completion of work, all wooden elements must be treated with an antiseptic to prevent decay and insects.
