construct your own balcony can seem like a daunting job but with the correct materials , tools and a bit of elbow joint grease , you may have your own outdoor oasis in no time . As someone who just build their first balcony last summertime , I want to share what I learned so you could avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way .
In this guidebook , I ’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish , including
I find that make a firm plan and checklist before start out was crucial , so I ’ll provide tips on how to do just that . With the good prep work , you’re able to build up a gorgeous , sturdy balcony that will cater years of repose and amusement permit ’s get started !
Choosing the Perfect Spot for Your Balcony
The first step is deciding where you want to make your balcony . Here are some things to view :
Sun exposure – Balconies with easterly or southerly exposure will get the most sunlight . northerly exposure will be shadier . determine if you desire sun or nuance .
Accessibility – Make certain the spot is soft to access from inside your home . make to haul lumber and tools through the house is a pain .
Architectural features – study surrounding gables , rooflines , window and doors . You need the balcony to heighten the menage ’s existing computer architecture .
Privacy – Think about how much you require the balcony to be private or viewable from the street or neighbour .
size of it – Measure the area to ensure you could establish a balcony of your desired dimension . Standard sizes are 10 x 10 foot up to 20 x 20 foot .
I determine on a 10 x 12 ft balcony off my second floor sleeping accommodation . It got morning sun and allowed for privacy from the street .
Gathering Your Building Supplies
Once you cull the complete billet , it ’s time to buy supplies . You ’ll need :
Lumber
Post – 4×4 or 6×6 posts to climb on the ledger board and confirm the frame . Get pressure - treated wood rated for out-of-door use .
Ledger board – 2×8 or 2×10 board that climb to your home ’s rim joist . This secure the skeletal frame .
Joists – 2×8 or 2×10 plank that will spring the frame . Space 16″ on marrow .
Decking – 5/4×6 deck boards for the Earth’s surface . Treated true pine or cedar are upright options .
Hardware
Flashing – ego - hold fast membrane to weatherproof behind the ledger add-in .
Joist hangers – Metal hangers to attach the joist to the ledger board .
Deck screws – 3 - 4″ screws to make the anatomy . Look for coat , exterior course .
Rail post anchor – To climb 4×4 rail situation to the chassis .
Tools
Circular or miter saw – For cutting lumber and deck
Cordless drill – With bits for pre - drilling holes
Level – To secure the frame of reference is even
Tape measure – For laying out joist spacing
Safety geartrain – Gloves , glasses , etc . guard first !
Make indisputable you have all materials and shaft before starting . delay to get a overleap point can bestow hours to the project .
Securing Permits
Most areas require permits for morphologic addition like balconies . The permit unconscious process ensure your balcony is built to code . I lend oneself for my permit with my metropolis ’s construction department . It command :
Filling out the permit coating
Providing a diagram of the design
pay up a license fee ( ~$75 )
It accept about 2 weeks to get my permit approved . Some areas may require using a licensed contractor . determine with your local building department about demand .
It ’s always unspoilt to get the permit upfront instead of being fined later !
Preparing the Build Site
Now that your materials are ready and permit approved , you may prep the build site :
Mark the outline with tape or chalk to visualize the size .
place down drop cloths in the employment area to protect from dirt and spills .
transfer any existing material like siding where the ledger board will get on .
Have all tools and baseball bat nearby to avoid stepping away during work .
cleared blank to safely cut lumber . Work near an outlet if using power tools .
Take meter to cautiously cook the infinite . It will go to a smoother build cognitive operation in the long run .
Constructing the Frame
The frame provides the foundation garment and support for your balcony . This is the toughest part of the bod , but do the following to make it manageable :
Mount the Ledger Board
The ledger board gets secured to the band joist with 3/8″ x 6″ lag piece of tail . practice the following process :
Drill pilot holes through the ledger board first . This prevents splitting .
Apply flashing above where the ledger will mount as an added atmospheric condition roadblock .
pinch and temporarily poise the book of account plank in place . Drill direct hole through the band joist .
Fasten the book of account with meantime screws . Re - check for level .
This provides a lasting base to mount the other frame components .
Install the Post Anchors
Mark location based on required railing spacing ( usually 6 - 8 foot ) .
Temporarily screw bracket to the joist with one screw .
flash lamp above the brackets for lend weather aegis .
Drill guide on golf hole and use two 3″ roll in the hay per angle bracket .
Build the Joist Frame
Joists are space 16″ on nub and attach to the daybook and posts .
Measure and reduce all joist to the required lengths .
expend galvanized joist hanger to connect them to the ledger board .
toe the opposite ends to the posts using 16d galvanized nails .
Add blocking between joist at the halfway breaker point for rigidness .
Check for square ofttimes to ensure right alignment . The joists complete the morphologic portion of the material body .
Installing the Deck Boards
Now it ’s time for the surface ! For decking :
Allow a 1/4″ crack between each add-in for drain .
Stagger end stick between row . This adds constancy .
utilise 2 - 3 deck screws per board , drilling pilot hole to prevent splitting .
Work from one end of the frame to the other in refined rows .
expend spacers to keep up even gaps as you work .
Take your prison term pose the decking and the results will front professional . The end is in raft !
Adding Railings for Safety
No balcony is complete without rail for security and codification compliance . Here ’s how to instal them :
Mount the Rail Posts
Slide the bottom of 4×4 posts into the billet anchors on the outside of the figure .
Plumb each post with a degree and temporarily stimulate them .
Shim any gaps before drive lag fuck through the post mainstay into the posts .
Install Top and Bottom Rails
touchstone between situation and cut 2x4s to length . These will sandwich the balusters .
Screw the top and bottom rails to the 4×4 posts using exterior roll in the hay .
Add Balusters and Decorative Touches
Space balusters equally to fulfil the field between top and bottom railing . Use 2 - 3″ deck screws .
Consider cosmetic post capital and skirts to add dash .
With the final railing point terminated , your balcony frame and bodily structure is officially finished !
Decorating Your Balcony Oasis
Now the fun part – decorating and furnishing your balcony to revel for long time to number . Think about :
comfortable terrace furniturelike death chair , chaise waiting area and side tables . Select weather repellent materials .
Potted plants and flowersto add color and atmosphere . Citronella plants also force back mosquito !
Accent lightinglike lanterns or string lights for eve use .
Rugs and pillowsto weaken the deck and total comfortableness .
Privacy screensif desired to increase seclusion .
The beautify possible action are interminable . supply special touches to create your perfect outside oasis !
Enjoy Relaxing on Your New Custom Balcony
After put in the intemperate work designing , construction and decorate , it ’s finally time to kick back and unbend on your balcony . Savor that feeling of pride and accomplishment .
Hopefully this guide give you the noesis and confidence to take on this ambitious DIY project . With the right provision and skills , you’re able to build the balcony of your dream !
The sense of atonement from create something beautiful and useable for your home realise the travail worthwhile . I already ca n’t wait for sunny days slacken out on my young balcony . Here ’s to many years of delectation your usance outdoor space will provide . Happy building !
How TO build A BALCONY/DECK
How to design a balcony ?
The first thing that you are going to want to do is to design the balcony using the desired cloth and the desire property . The skilful type of wood to use for any task that involves the outdoors is wood that has been atmospheric pressure treated as it is capable of stand up against the elements and insects better than other types of timber .
Should you work up your own balcony ?
Balconies can give you a completely dissimilar perspective on the country you populate in and render great outdoor views for visitors as well . There are numerous considerations to keep in mind when building a balcony . The following information will make establish your own balcony a bare DIY undertaking .
Can you build a balcony pack of cards without support posts ?
Cantilevered decks or balcony decks without support posts is a controversial subject in the deck building world . This small 4′ x 6′ balcony provides a nice walkout area for the master bedroom . retrace a balcony - vogue deck of cards is by and large only feasible during the original construction of a dwelling .
Can you establish a balcony - style pack of cards ?
Constructing a balcony - style pack of cards is generally only feasible during the original mental synthesis of a rest home . The floor joists inside the dwelling are extend out of doors , beyond the walls of the family , to support the pack of cards floor .
