Loggia and balcony - what's the difference? Balcony or loggia? What is the difference and what is better? The design of the balcony, depending on its purpose.

Most modern new buildings are rented with loggias or balconies, but buyers do not always pay attention to the specific name of the additional premises in the apartment. And in vain - the difference is fundamental. LIVINGfigured out how the loggia differs from the balcony and what standards apply to these rooms.

What is the difference between a balcony and a loggia?

Building codes clearly define both concepts. So, a balcony is "a fenced area protruding from the plane of the facade wall." While a loggia is "built-in or attached, open to an external space, fenced on three sides by walls (on two sides - with an angular arrangement), a room with a depth limited by the requirements of natural illumination of the room, to the outer wall of which it adjoins."

Simply put, the balcony protrudes from the facade, and the loggia is adjacent to the house with at least two walls.

Which is better - a balcony or a loggia?

Both were invented with one goal - to give residents the opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy the surrounding view. According to modern fire regulations, houses above 4-5 floors must necessarily be equipped with balconies or loggias, where, in the event of a fire, residents can hide from the flames. Both balconies and loggias cope with this task equally well if an important rule is observed: the width of the wall is at least 1.2 m. The presence of emergency and escape exits in an apartment building is regulated by SP 1.13130.2009 “Fire protection systems. Evacuation routes and exits ". Houses with a height of 3-5 floors must have at least two emergency (evacuation) exits, one of which is a balcony. However, according to market participants, there are technical solutions that allow apartments to meet fire safety requirements without a balcony. Usually, in this case, the apartment is equipped with panoramic windows, which compensate for the lack of light in the premises.

Meanwhile, many Russians use the additional area of ​​the apartment for other purposes - they arrange a storage room on it and turn it into a full-fledged living area. For this, loggias and balconies are glazed and "insulated". Since the loggias are adjacent to the facade with two or three walls, they better withstand the additional load in the form of heavy glazing and furniture. The balcony is less reliable in this respect. Although, according to modern building codes, both balconies and loggias must withstand the same load - 200 kg per 1 sq. m.

For those wishing to create a new living area, a loggia is preferable - most often in new houses the loggias are glazed, while the balcony glazing project will have to be coordinated with the supervisory authorities.

What other standards are there for balconies and loggias?

According to current building codes, fences for loggias and balconies in buildings with a height of three floors must be made of non-combustible materials. The height of the guardrail must be at least 1.2 m. The guardrails must be continuous, equipped with handrails and designed to withstand horizontal loads of at least 0.3 kN / m.

If there are no balconies and loggias in a house under construction, is the developer breaking the law?

It is not always so. Balconies and loggias may legally be absent in low-rise buildings (up to 5 floors), as well as in apartment complexes.

And also, according to SNiP 31-01-2003, the conditions for designing balconies and non-glazed loggias are considered unfavorable in regions where the combination of average monthly air temperatures and wind speed in July is: 12-16 ° C and more than 5 m / s; 8-12 ° C and 4-5 m / s; 4-8 ° C and 4 m / s; below 4 ° С at any wind speed.

Balconies should also not be designed in homes where residents suffer from excessive proximity to highways and factories. So, at a distance of 2 m from the facade of the building, the noise level should not exceed 75 dB, and the concentration of dust in the air in summer cannot exceed 1.5 mg / m for 15 days.

How to find out from the documents what exactly - a balcony or a loggia - will be in an apartment under construction?

Detailed information on how the apartment will look is contained in the equity participation agreement (in the "Subject of the agreement" section). Here, the footage of future housing, the number of rooms, and the number of rooms are necessarily indicated, and the appendix to the preschool institution usually contains a floor plan of a house under construction with a diagram of an apartment. According to the scheme, it is easy to understand whether there is a balcony in an apartment or a loggia.

How does the presence of a balcony or loggia affect the price of housing?

The footage of a loggia or balcony must be taken into account when calculating the area from which the cost of housing is added. If the apartment has a balcony, a reduction factor of 0.3 of the cost per square meter is used. If a loggia, then the coefficient will be 0.5. That is, when calculating the total footage, the area of ​​the balcony or loggia must be multiplied by 0.3 or 0.5, respectively, and then add the resulting value to the area of ​​the remaining rooms. By multiplying the result obtained by the price per square meter, you can calculate the total cost of the apartment.

Market participants believe that apartments with balconies and loggias are more liquid for resale than apartments without additional space.

How to legalize glazing on a balcony?

Glazing can be agreed upon before starting work or upon completion. To do this, you need to apply to the Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture to change the facade. Attach copies of documents for the apartment, a photograph of the facade with the designation of the proposed changes or with the glazing made to the application.

The project will not be coordinated if you are going to put a central heating battery on the balcony (by the way, it is also impossible on the loggia). It is impermissible to expand doorways or demolish (even partially) the wall between the balcony and the apartment. Finally, glazing will be banned if it interferes with the appearance of a historic building.

Where can I see the norms for glazing a balcony or loggia?

There are several documents that can be followed when drawing up a glazing project. This is SNiP 31-01-2003 ("Multi-apartment residential buildings"), the document describes the conditions for redevelopment. SNiP 2.01.07 ("Loads and Impacts") will help to calculate the load on the balcony. A lot of useful information on this topic contains GOST 30777-2012 ("Swivel, tilt, swing-out, sliding devices for window and balcony door blocks") and GOST 30971-2002 ("Seams of assembly units for joining window blocks to wall openings").

A beautiful and, at the same time, functional design of a balcony or loggia is often a problem for apartment owners, even due to the small area of ​​this room. However, it should be fairly noted that often such an argument is just a kind of "excuse", since even a very small balcony, if desired, can be transformed beyond recognition.

Nowadays, a wide range of building and finishing materials for every taste, for any consumer's needs and interior style is presented in hardware stores, so there will be no problems due to their shortage. You can qualitatively finish both a closed, insulated loggia and an open balcony, however, it should be understood that the latter option can be used only in the warm season. The insulated room of the loggia or balcony opens up wide opportunities for choosing its design. Well, the choice depends largely on how you plan to use this additional area.

Consider your options in our new article on our portal.

Glazing of a loggia or balcony

Glazing plays an important, if not key, role in the design of these distinctive spaces, so it is worth considering first.

The glazing of a loggia or balcony is divided into cold and warm. Which one to choose will also depend on how this room will be used. If you plan to combine it with one of the rooms or turn it into an office or bedroom, then in this case you cannot do without warm glazing.

Cold glazing is done in order to protect the loggia from wind, dust and precipitation, but it will not help from low or high temperatures.

Cold glazing

This type of glazing is perfect for an insulated balcony, which is planned to be used as a warehouse for storing various things or as a terrace only in summer. Therefore, metal-plastic, aluminum or familiar to everyone, wooden frames with single glass installed in them are purchased for it.

Cold glazing will cost much less, but its functionality is much lower than that of a warm one, which makes the loggia an almost hermetically protected room.

Balcony floor

For finishing the floor on the balcony in hardware stores, you can find materials that are completely different in composition. The choice of a specific one will depend on several criteria, the main of which is the method of floor insulation.

For example, if a cable system has been installed under the finishing material, then it is best to choose floor ceramic tiles. When used for heating the surface of an infrared film, the best option would be linoleum or laminate.

Wood itself is a warm material with low thermal conductivity, it is good to choose it if the floor will not be artificially heated, but reliable insulation is installed under the finishing, for example, from extruded polystyrene foam, expanded clay or mineral wool.

mineral wool

Recently, garden parquet has become quite popular, which can be laid both on an open balcony and on an insulated one. In the second version, it is best to mount it on a floor covered with ceramic tiles or plywood, and in the first case, the parquet is laid on a concrete waterproofing surface with a slope and a drain gutter. The advantage of this coating is that it does not retain moisture - water through the gaps between the lamellas gets under the parquet and flows down the base into the gutter, and then into the drain pipe.

Well suited for insulated balcony floors and cork tiles. This material is an unsurpassed thermal insulator, and since it has a small thickness, it is quite possible to lay it on top of any "warm floor" system. It is also often used for wall decoration, in order to create a single "ensemble".

Another new material made from plastic is modular slabs, which are assembled according to the principle of puzzles. This option looks great on the floor, it is pleasant to walk on it, but the slabs are not a floor insulating coating, therefore, it is necessary to install heating under it or provide effective thermal insulation. This tile should be laid on a hard surface - this can be a screed, thick plywood or ceramic tiles. Often it is used on open balconies seasonally - taking out and laying only in the warm season. Fortunately, its installation and dismantling does not take much time.

The floor will be cold and sloppy - you will not achieve comfort on the entire balcony!

Traditionally, special attention is paid to floors in all rooms. Many of the nuances of this aspect of finishing are described in the article of our portal.

Balcony wall decoration

To decorate balcony walls, a very large number of different materials are produced today - it can be ordinary or, paint, tiles imitating natural stone or brick, wallpaper, plastic or laminated panels, wooden lining, as well as cork in slabs or rolls.

• If the goal is to make smooth classic plastered walls, then the easiest way is to achieve perfect evenness by fixing sheets of drywall on the wall, then plaster and paint them. You can go a more complicated way, leveling the walls of the balcony with ordinary plaster, and then making them smooth using putty, finally painting the surfaces in the desired color. However, it should be noted that the second method of bringing the walls to perfect condition requires a certain plastering experience. Therefore, if it is not there, then it is better to use a technique that uses drywall.

Instead of the usual staining of leveled walls, the technique of applying textured paints or decorative plasters is often used.The base should also be a flat, prepared surface, therefore the preliminary stage is carried out in the same way as when leveling for classical plaster - the most convenient way is to sheathe the wall with moisture-resistant plasterboard after insulation.

A modern solution to the problem of wall decoration - embossed plasters

Details on how to decorate the external and internal walls, independently applying what tools are required to obtain the conceived reliefs, can be found in a special publication of our portal.

• Wall decoration with laminated clapboard made on the basis of fiberboard is quite popular, since this material has an affordable price and an attractive appearance.

You can use material of the same color or different shades, resulting in striped walls. Moreover, the panels can be installed vertically or horizontally. Since stripes can visually lengthen or expand a room, this effect is widely used by interior designers. It should be noted that such a material is not particularly resistant to mechanical stress, so its surface is easy to damage, scratch or rinse, for example, by rearranging furniture. However, any of the panels can be easily replaced.

Finishing with plastic panels is made according to the same principle. The choice of this material in stores is quite large, both in quality and in color design. The panels can have a single color, or they can be decorated with different patterns. The colors and even micro-relief of some of them imitate the texture of natural materials, such as wood or stone.

plastic panels

• Quite often, the owners of the apartment choose and, but it will cost much more than laminated chipboard or plastic panels. Wood has many advantages and is able to create a favorable atmosphere in the room, filling it with the scent of the forest. Usually it is left in its natural form, only covered with a clear water-based varnish. The wood finish is quite durable and resistant to mechanical stress. If desired, this material can be painted in any color - this will change not only the appearance, but also the style of the interior of the decorated room.
• An excellent, but quite expensive material for wall and floor decoration is cork. It is sold in the form of slabs or rolls. Plates can be self-adhesive and have an adhesive layer on one of their sides, covered with a protective film, which is removed before installing the material on the surface.

Cork is a warm and pleasant to the touch material. It is durable and resistant to external influences, it is difficult to scratch or damage it in any other way. The only significant drawback of this material is its high price.

Cork slabs or canvases are fixed to a prepared flat surface. For this, drywall is quite suitable, which is brought to the ideal by filling, and then primed.

• Another finishing material used alone or with classic plaster is a tile that imitates a relief stone or brick.

Well-chosen tiles for wall decoration will be a real decoration for the balcony. It is mounted on a leveled wall on a special tile glue, and if the tile is made from a mixture based on gypsum, then the glue must correspond to its composition. If cement is part of the finishing material, then the glue is selected on a cement basis.

Wall decoration with tiles for brickwork looks quite strict and is not suitable for every chosen style. Therefore, before choosing this option, you need to think carefully about the rest of the interior details that you would like to see in the balcony room.

Read interesting solutions with an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation, in a new article on our portal.

• Wallpaper familiar to everyone can also be used to decorate the vertical surfaces of the balcony. But in order for them to look spectacular, the surfaces for gluing them must be aligned to the ideal.

True, small flaws on the surfaces will be able to hide voluminous wallpaper options, for example, made of bamboo. This is a natural material, which, in the course of processing, gives a neat appearance of thin straws collected in canvases. Bamboo flooring is painted in different shades - it can be almost uniform, or it repeats the colors of untreated raw materials.

warm floor

This finishing option looks aesthetically pleasing and original, it makes the walls warmer, and, in addition, has good sound-absorbing qualities. In addition, bamboo wallpaper is a "breathable" material, so it does not retain moisture, which means that the walls will be protected to some extent from waterlogging, which is always fraught with the appearance and development of mold. One of the disadvantages of bamboo flooring is its high price.

• Often, several materials are also used to decorate walls at once - this option is called combined and is quite effective with the correct selection of finishes in color and texture. For example, the panels are finished with plastic or wooden clapboard, stone tiles or embossed plaster, and the upper part of the wall surfaces should be lighter, and it is most often pasted over with one of the types of wallpaper or cork material.

This way of decorating a room will look interesting and stylish. The main thing, in addition to color and texture, is to maintain a visual balance in terms of the "weight" of materials and their compliance with the chosen interior style.

Balcony design, depending on its purpose

A balcony is an additional area to an apartment, and you should not exclude it from the field of vision when decorating living quarters, since it becomes possible to use extra "meters" not only for recreation, which is also important, but also for organizing an office, kitchen, mini-gym , a small greenhouse and even a bedroom. Of course, a lot will depend on the parameters of the room, but in any case, its presence increases the possibilities to expand the usable area. Next, we will consider options that will help you navigate in choosing the purpose of this room and its design.

Balcony - recreation area

Quite often, the balcony is used as a resting place - this purpose is "in second place" after organizing a warehouse for unnecessary things on it. However, it should be noted that if this room has a sufficient area, then it is quite possible to combine both functions on it, for example, by installing a closed cabinet that will hide the things placed in it, and arrange the rest of the area as a place for relaxation.

A compact cabinet on the balcony solves many problems of rational use of space

Manufacturing built-in furniture is not an easy task and requires a special approach. , having previously reviewed several available options - all this in a special publication of our portal.

It is possible to organize a place for rest and privacy both on an open and on a closed insulated balcony, but if it is not protected by glazing, then it will not work to use it in the cold season or in inclement weather. In addition, during such periods, it will be necessary to take away all the pieces of furniture necessary for relaxation, for which you will have to find a place in the apartment. If it is decided to leave the balcony as an open terrace, then it is recommended to provide folding furniture for it, which can be hidden in a regular closet for the winter.

You can organize a resting place on the balcony in different ways, and even in a narrow room it is possible to plan and install a small sofa. In this version, the designer visually expanded the loggia by installing mirror panels on the wall and ceiling. In addition, a fresh light green color was used for the decoration of the walls and the upholstery of the sofa, which adds light to the room and creates a cozy home atmosphere in the room. On the balcony, decorated in a similar way, you can retire with an interesting book or, by setting a small table, receive your closest friends, for whom there is a place on a long and comfortable sofa. In addition, the interior space of this piece of furniture can be used to store some things.

The interior, more familiar to small balconies, is not burdened with numerous pieces of furniture, which is designed for a family evening tea party. For a pleasant evening in the fresh air, a set is provided, consisting of comfortable wicker rattan chairs and a small sofa equipped with soft pillows. Between them is a neat little table with a glass top, which is the best fit for this interior. Decorating the balcony in this way (excluding the headset) will be affordable for most families, since inexpensive plastic panels are used for wall decoration, which refresh the room with their white color. For the floor, ordinary linoleum is used, which is not required too much, and its price is quite acceptable. Therefore, such a design can be called economical, but quite effective.

Greenhouse on the balcony

Some indoor plant lovers completely devote the balcony for their hobby. However, the greenhouse on the balcony may well be combined with a relaxation area, since the eyes rest on your favorite plants, and in addition, they help to escape from daytime problems and enjoy pleasant aromas of freshness in a corner of nature.

In this case, the owners of the small balcony placed on it not only a large number of plants, but also a chest of drawers, as well as a comfortable wicker chair, which makes the room more comfortable. Wooden wall cladding goes well with the greenery and flowers of houseplants, and the blinds on the windows create a pleasant shade for the room. In such an environment, it is pleasant to spend time with a book or knitting, sitting in a comfortable armchair.

Another option for arranging a balcony for a "winter garden" will help to organize a comfortable place for relaxation and leisurely conversations. Climbing plants, hung on the balcony windows, will create a natural shade and atmosphere of a gazebo located in a real garden. Wooden chairs and a table, made in the style of garden furniture, will enhance the effect of a summer residence, and the floor tiles will remind you of the paths of a suburban area. If such a balcony is well insulated, then in winter it will be possible to enjoy this corner, reminiscent of summer days.

Some apartment owners who do not have a summer cottage are successfully growing vegetable plants on the balcony, creating favorable conditions for their development. Walls painted in light colors will help maintain natural light, and windows, covered with blinds, will keep plant leaves from the excessively hot rays of the sun. It is quite possible to organize such a greenhouse even on the smallest balcony by building several strong boxes and filling them with fertile soil. Using the insulated balcony for growing vegetables and herbs, you can serve environmentally friendly tomatoes and cucumbers on the table all year round, without leaving the country, and without spending a lot of time caring for them.

But this design option will suit those for lovers of "Japanese gardens" who have the opportunity to give completely the entire balcony for this work of art. In this case, the balcony can be combined with the room by opening a sliding glass door. The beauty of such a garden lies in the fact that at any time you can change the location of objects and plants in the created composition, in accordance with the current mood.

Study or workshop on the balcony

The balcony may well be a great place for an office or workshop. In a standard apartment for this purpose, there is often simply not enough space, but in this room it is quite enough to install a table and chair, as well as shelves for storing various tools for work. The female half of the family can organize a sewing workshop for themselves or a convenient place for doing other needlework.

The main thing is that when working in solitude, no one will interfere with concentration, and, for example, the characteristic knock of a sewing machine will not irritate household members. In addition, if you correctly distribute all the devices and elements for creativity, then everything will always be at hand or in front of your eyes. In addition, the workshop is quite compatible with a small greenhouse, where plants will be an excellent decoration, as well as an oxygen enricher of the air.

If the apartment has several balconies, then each of them may have its own purpose. So, one can be given for an office or a computer room, where it will also be possible to work quietly, without disturbing others to go about their business.

A narrow balcony is also suitable for arranging an office - a corner or straight table will perfectly fit on it, above which shelves for various peripheral devices that come with the computer, or folders with documents and books are fixed. A workshop or office is usually decorated in light colors, so that at different times of the day and in any weather, the color contributes to more intense lighting.

Cabinet windows should be equipped with curtains or blinds, work. The design is made taking into account that the owner of this room is comfortable in it, since the created atmosphere should contribute to high efficiency.

Often, a balcony is equipped by the owner for a carpentry, locksmith, electrical workshop. In this case, you must try very hard to compactly place on it all the necessary tools, devices, machine tools, fixtures and consumables. The only thing that can sometimes interfere with such work in a balcony is noise, which can cause inconvenience to neighbors in the house. Therefore, it will not work on it in the evening, in order to avoid trouble.

Bedroom on the balcony

The owners of small one- or two-room apartments always have a question about where to equip the nursery, and where the bedroom for adults. Usually, parents try first of all to create comfortable conditions for the children, and they themselves are located on a folding sofa in the living room, which is extremely inconvenient, since they have to unfold and fold the sleeping place every morning and evening. Therefore, if the area of ​​the balcony or loggia allows, good insulation is provided for the room, then it is quite possible to place the bedroom on it. Of course, on such a small site it will not be possible to put any extra pieces of furniture, but the adult part of the family will have their own lounge.

In addition, the space under the bed can be used to store some fairly large things that cannot find a shelf in the closet inside the apartment. Naturally, the windows on the balcony should be closed with blinds, Roman blinds or ordinary thick curtains, and the walls around the bed should be trimmed with a material that is pleasant and warm to the touch.

How to cover the balcony glazing with curtains or blinds in an original way?

To do this, it is not at all necessary to purchase finished products. If the house has a real owner and mistress-needlewoman, then it is quite possible to make. How to do this - read in a separate publication of our portal.

This illustration shows a bed clearly custom-made for balcony installation. In the presented version, its sidewalls are at the same time an element of decoration for walls. Even the cozy appearance of this model speaks of its convenience and comfort.

However, you should not install beds on an unheated and unheated balcony or loggia, as the materials will inevitably become damp and the furniture will become unusable. If the sleeping place will be used only in the warm season, then in the autumn-winter period the bed will need to be brought into the apartment.

Kitchen on the balcony

Another way to use the balcony to the maximum functionally is to organize one of the kitchen zones on it, or even to completely bring it into this room. Naturally, such a reconstruction is possible if the apartment layout provides for an exit to the balcony from the kitchen. In addition, the complete or partial removal of the kitchen to the loggia or to the balcony can be carried out only if the room has a sufficient area and effective insulation.

Recently, more and more apartment owners are thinking about how to combine a balcony with a kitchen. However, in order to make such a transformation, it will be necessary to go through numerous instances in order to obtain permission for the planned reconstruction.

What is needed to combine a kitchen with a balcony or loggia?

Quite large-scale organizational, construction and finishing works are ahead. Everything that concerns, as well as their design, is described in detail in a special article on the portal.

This illustration shows a loggia combined with a kitchen, in which a dining area is organized. In this case, the expansion of the kitchen space due to the balcony was carried out quite successfully, and it was not so laborious, unlike the option if it was decided to take the working part of the kitchen together with the stove and sink into this room.

When combining a kitchen and a balcony, both rooms should have a harmonious design in terms of color and style, therefore, if the kitchen is already decorated, then the finishing of the balcony will have to be matched to it.

If necessary (and certainly possible) the kitchen can be completely relocated to the premises of the loggia or balcony. This is usually done if the apartment is sorely lacking in space. For example, in a one-room apartment, a family of several people needs to somehow accommodate. In this case, the vacated kitchen space can be set aside for a small living room, and the only room can be divided into bedrooms. To visually enlarge the kitchen-balcony, you should choose the right colors for it, and it is better if these are light colors, which, in addition, will help save energy. It is especially important to make the ceiling and walls light - they will significantly increase the intensity of the illumination, reflecting and gently scattering the light falling on them from the lamps.

The author expresses the hope that the information he has selected will help the reader understand how to arrange a balcony or loggia intended for a particular purpose, as well as familiarize himself with the materials used to decorate this room.

At the end of the publication - an interesting video selection with interior design options for even the smallest balconies or loggias:

Video: what can be turned into an ordinary loggia or balcony

In this article, we will answer the question what a balcony and a loggia are, as well as analyze what are the constructive and legislative differences between these structures.

The correct definitions are enshrined in SNiP of 2003, in Appendix B (terms and definitions). According to this document, the difference between a balcony and a loggia is in its location in space. It is a platform outside the facade of the house. Can be open or glazed. Loggia is a room built-in or attached to a building. It is necessarily fenced on three or two sides (if it occupies the corner of a building or itself has an unusual shape).

Simply put, in architectural terms, the difference lies in the location relative to the residential part of the apartment and the number of load-bearing walls. Both of these differences between designs are clearly visible in the photo.

In modern construction, the appearance of objects can vary greatly. But there are main varieties, which we will discuss next.

What is the difference between a balcony and a loggia in an apartment: types of buildings, features of operation

First, about the balconies. The most common are typical. They represent an open area on a reinforced concrete base. The fence is a grid welded with brackets. In some houses, it is replaced by decorative reinforced concrete slabs. They are found in almost all cities of our country.

Types of balconies

• French. They have almost no free space. A semicircular or straight railing covers a small ledge just enough to place your foot. They are mounted not only at the doors, but also at the windows. Now this is the name for fully glazed buildings.
• Forged. They can be large and small. You can distinguish them by the forged ornament on the lattice and base.
• Glazed. Usually these are modern balconies with an expanded area, covered with glass from top to bottom or only half.
• In new buildings, there are extensions that protrude half from the house, and half are in it.

Types of loggias

They are of two types: with two walls on the right and left, or with one, if the structure is semicircular. It is considered a more stable structure. Usually larger in size - you can equip a full-fledged additional room with insulation. And here is one of the problems. Now, if you want to make redevelopment of any of these objects, the law will require approval from the local housing inspectorate.

The difference between a balcony and a loggia in new buildings

When buying an apartment, problems may arise due to the discrepancy between the conditions of the preschool educational institution and the real state of affairs. The developer can indicate in the contract that there is one structure in the premises, but during the acceptance process another one is discovered. In some cases, this is due to the fact that the area of ​​outbuildings in new houses is included in the cost of housing in accordance with SNiP and building rules.

A reduction factor is used for the calculation: 0.3 and 0.5. It is multiplied by the number of square meters in the final extension and added to the living space. In this case, the price will differ significantly. This is considered a violation, and the shareholder has the right to return the difference between the accrued price for housing and the one that should be in reality.

All characteristics of the object are indicated in the DDU. By them you can identify him. To do this, it is necessary to inspect the apartment before signing the acceptance certificate. If deviations from the initially prescribed parameters are found, the buyer can demand from the seller to eliminate the identified deviations and go to court. In the process of challenging, a technical examination is carried out. An engineer from the BTI measures and evaluates the structure.

If, upon delivery of the house, the commission did not recognize the existence of the object, the problem is resolved out of court. The developer independently notifies the shareholder about the discrepancy in the contract and he writes an application for a refund.

We told you what a loggia and a balcony are, what are the differences between one and the other. Summarize. Looking to expand your room or kitchen? It is imperative to obtain approval from the BTI and the housing inspection, having previously created an approved project. Controversial issues related to the definition of the design of balconies or loggias in new buildings are resolved after an expert examination in court or in a pre-trial procedure with writing a claim to the seller-developer.

If you are in the process of choosing an apartment and need practical additional space, the best option is a loggia. It is usually more spacious and stable. But the cost of housing in this case will be higher.

What's better

Of course, it is impossible to give an unequivocal answer to the question of which balcony or loggia is better. Both the structure has a lot of advantages and disadvantages. Some people like the feeling of open space that a balcony gives. Thanks to the panoramic view, you can observe everything that is happening around. The loggia does not give such an effect, because it is closed on three out of four possible sides.

The room adjacent to the balcony is much lighter than the one adjacent to the loggia, thanks to the natural light flux, but it is cooler in winter. A balcony is an ideal option for those who love compact and neat structures to provide the most necessary functions - drying clothes, storing useful little things, and having an open source of fresh air in their apartment.

The balcony is also ideal for those people who prefer a functionally significant room, a beautiful, stylish element of the facade decor. In this regard, the loggia is significantly inferior to the balcony, being, in essence, a continuation of the wall and not carrying any aesthetic value. The variety of fences, shapes and designs boggles the mind. Especially when it comes to balconies decorated using artistic forging.

The main thing when calculating the area is access to the walls and the accuracy of the data. This will allow you to fit as accurately as possible into the budget planned for reconstruction or repair.

You will need the following tools:

• roulette;
• laser rangefinder;
• ruler;
• pencil;
• paper;
• calculator.

You can do without optics (laser rangefinder), but in some cases its use will avoid errors in the calculations. This is especially true for non-standard types of structures.

1. To begin with, all sides of the figures that make up the balcony are measured. The parameters are immediately outlined.
2. A sketch of the site is drawn on paper. The lines indicate dimensions.
3. Calculations are performed on a calculator.
4. The square is calculated by multiplying one side by itself.
5. Rectangle - width times length.
6. Triangle - The height is multiplied by the base.
7. If the design consists of several forms, all the resulting calculations are added to each other.
8. A reduction factor is applied 0.5 (for balconies), 0.3 (for terraces), 1 (for veranda). The resulting area of ​​space is multiplied by this value.

The proposed plan is designed for self-measurement. If a beginner gets down to business, then errors are possible, especially in complex structures. If a team is invited for repairs, then it is better to entrust the determination of the usable area to professionals. Most often this service is provided free of charge.

Description of typical structures

Translated from German, the word "balcony" means a ledge or beam. But "loggia" in Italian means a separate room. Accordingly, already from the dictionary it is possible to understand the existing differences between such constructions. Basically, a balcony is a railed canopy that protrudes beyond the load-bearing walls of the house. But the loggia is a built-in room, limited on two or three sides. The depth and area may vary depending on the architectural design and the size of the adjoining room.

In the recent past, when the project for the construction of typical Czech-style apartments was very popular in the Soviet Union, the balconies were the simplest reinforced concrete pockets. They were intended only for the installation of several flower pots, and the area of ​​such a structure barely exceeded one square meter. Today, glazed balconies or full-fledged loggias are in demand, which are often combined with an adjoining room, which allows you to significantly expand the available living space.

Loads

Reinforced concrete slabs without additional supports (pinched) withstand compression best of all, bending or stretching a little worse, do not tolerate torsion and shear. Therefore, the structures, subject to all norms and technologies, are durable, but react poorly to impacts or long-term storage of heavy objects near fences. This property should be taken into account when choosing glazing.

The value of the permissible gravity for slabs in apartments is 150 kg per square meter. At the balcony, this figure in any case should be less, because its plate is fixed only on one side, and not on four, as in any room.

The norms SNiP 2.01.07-85 * indicate the permissible loads:

• uniform along the outer perimeter of the balcony - 400 kgf / m²;
• uniform over the entire area of ​​the balcony slab - 200 kgf / m².

The calculation of permissible loads determines the prohibitions on changing the configuration of the balcony opening, carrying out work to combine the balcony with the room. For example, when cutting down a balcony opening to a rectangle in panel houses with thin walls (350-510 mm), the slab of the balcony itself inevitably begins to sag, for a firm fixing it does not have enough weight from above.

The collapse of the facade is fraught with the expansion of living space due to the balcony in "Khrushchevs" with load-bearing walls 300-350 mm thick. As a connecting element, they use tongue-and-groove fastening, which has a minimum margin of safety.

However, balconies are equipped and they do not collapse. This is because there are safety margins for the supporting and additional structures of each series. Reliability factors take into account the possibilities of floors, number of storeys, type of buildings.

Loggia and balcony distinctions

Some apartment owners do not even suspect, for many years, calling their comfortable extension a balcony, that they own a home with a loggia, until it comes to selling the property. It turns out that these additions have different reduction factors that affect the calculation of the total area. For balconies, it is 0.3, and the loggia has a coefficient of 0.5. Therefore, when buying or selling urban housing, you need to know what is the difference between a loggia and a balcony in order to correctly calculate their cost. The structural differences between these rooms have a significant impact on the renovation work. If you plan to insulate them, then you should know exactly what you are dealing with when you have to look for the necessary materials on the Internet or place an order for a construction team.

What is a balcony?

The main feature of this site is that it protrudes out of the plane of the building structure, but is on the same line with the floor of the apartment. Three sides of a standard balcony are open, with the exception of a corner arrangement with two open sides. Glazing of balconies is now being produced in large quantities. which leads to additional confusion among the population. After repair, the insulated area turns into a comfortable room, the internal differences between the loggias and the balcony for users inexperienced in the construction business are visually smoothed out.

In ancient times, the balcony space did not have protective fences, but now they are mandatory building elements. They are made from a corner, profile or forged parts that can extremely effectively decorate the facade of a high-rise building. There are also non-standard options for outbuildings, which definitely cannot be confused with a loggia - French balconies. where there is practically no viewing platform.

Design features of the loggia

The main difference between a balcony and a loggia is that the second option cannot be called a hanging structure. In fact, we are dealing with another tiny room inside a building, protected from the outside by a glass wall or railings. The loggia is surrounded on 3 or 4 sides by brick or concrete walls, and on top it has a roof. In the angular version, the open side has an interesting triangular shape, but the concrete slab of the site is always recessed inside the house, which means it has a capital support in the form of the walls of a multi-storey building.

You can see that there are significant differences between loggias and balconies. The balconies are better lit, and it is more convenient to observe the urban landscape from them. But the loggia is easier to turn into an additional room, it is easier to bring heating here and even combine it with the adjacent living space. You can also limit yourself to cold glazing, when you plan to use this space mainly during a warm period.

Despite the small area, this room can become cozy and functional. How to arrange a stylish and modern design of a balcony in an apartment, we will tell you in the article.

The options for using the balcony room are endless, and the idea of ​​decorating a workplace on the balcony is becoming more and more popular. How to implement such a design technique, we will tell you in the article.

Today the balcony is used as a full-fledged living space with a stylish and original design. In the article, we will show you how you can equip a workplace on the balcony.

The balcony has long ceased to be a place for storing unnecessary things, and today it is a modern room with a stylish interior. How to design a balcony, we will tell you in the article.

Loggia premises

The previous point makes it clear what a loggia is. It is distinguished by:

• the number of external walls;
• load bearing capacity;
• sizes.

Often they represent a small room (optionally with an open wall), which will be converted into an office, kitchen or nursery. Or they open it, combining it with an adjacent room - the space increases noticeably. Three internal walls are important - in the loggia this allows you to keep warm. The fourth is insulated with polystyrene, polystyrene or mineral wool.

Less and less often they are used by analogy with a balcony - it makes no sense to make a “pantry” such a large area, if its purpose can be more useful. The total area of ​​the object does not play a role here.

Rice. 4. Option for arranging a loggia

Choosing an apartment with a loggia, you can safely add one more room to the number of rooms. The balcony is more difficult - its functionality is limited. Let's remember what its advantages are: a lot of warmth, light, the ability to breathe fresh air while at home, as well as an excellent place to store bicycles, other sports equipment and just for a relaxing holiday.

In modern construction, it is the loggias, thanks to their functionality, that are a priority for architects.

Loggia and balcony what are the differences

More clearly, these objects are defined as follows.

Balcony

A balcony is a fenced cantilever structure that protrudes from the plane of the facade.

The entrance to it is carried out from the side of the adjoining room, and, as a rule, consists of a window and a door, which are combined into a single block.

Its slab is fixed to the wall only from the side of the entrance, so its bearing capacity is small. Therefore, it is not recommended to overload typical balconies with bulky structures or too heavy materials.

Wall insulation and heating are not provided here.

Unlike a loggia, it is less functional.

Although the French balcony in its classic version does not have its own site, nevertheless it is also considered to be this type of structure.

Forged open balcony

Today, few people leave it open. True, the typical dimensions, respectively, and the footage of the structure are very modest, but the practice of expanding by removing it, when the width of the balcony increases, allows you to get interesting results as a result. The difference between the loggia and the balcony in terms of area is in favor of the second.

The dimensions of the balcony, in contrast to the loggia, are limited

Unlike a loggia, speaking of the glazing of a balcony, it means the device of three structures, interconnected through special corner connectors.

The resulting three-sided design can have the following options:

• translucent, such as an aquarium, which retains a full view or
• glazed on one side, while the side walls, as a rule, are sheathed with siding or plastic panels, "erasing" the difference between the balcony and the loggia.

Glazing on one side only

Advice: due to the lower weight, aluminum structures are more suitable for glazing balconies than plastic ones - another difference. The ultimate load for them in typical high-rise buildings is about 200 kg.

Loggia

Loggia is a structure that, unlike a balcony, is fenced not from four, but from three or two sides. The depth of the built-in room is limited by the norms of natural lighting in rooms adjacent to the wall.

The corner loggia is half recessed into the building

Its concrete slab, in contrast to the balcony slab, rests on the semi-bearing or load-bearing walls of the building.

It is built into the building and is open; at least on one side it is not heated, since heating devices are not provided there.

The open plane of the loggia can be triangular, for example, a "boot" in the houses of the P-44t series.

The presence on its open side of a fence in the form of a parapet made of metal, concrete, concrete and metal or concrete, stone and metal, and today even glass, is a must.

The entrance to the loggia does not differ from the balcony one: a block from a window and a door.

Balcony or loggia - the difference, therefore, is determined mainly by differences in

• the method of abutting the wall;
• the number of open sides;
• conditions of arrangement;
• medium area;
• reliability.

The structure of the "boot" in the P-44T series

Architectural features

Balcony options

There are several types of structures. They differ:

• By form. There are ordinary ones - (their outlines may differ slightly depending on the project, being straight, rounded or beveled), forged - with a metal openwork lattice (usually without glazing) and French, which are characterized by the absence of a platform. The latter is more of a decorative decoration than a functional extension.
• By design.

A) Adjacent - typical for one-, two-story buildings or on the corresponding floors of multi-story buildings. Supports for this type are placed on the site directly under the balcony.

B) Attached - as it were, they are built into the wall of the building using load-bearing consoles. In this case, the load on the wall is reduced by the front supports. Also used at low altitudes.

C) Hanging ones are attached to the wall using special devices. No additional supports are required for this option, which allows a similar structure to be located on any floor.

By the presence and method of glazing. There are glazed and non-glazed (closed and open, respectively). At the same time, glazed ones are divided into two subgroups - cold glazing and warm ones. For warm glazing, double-glazed windows with high thermal insulation performance are used. Cold glazing is much cheaper, although it also provides basic heat and sound insulation.

What exactly does the balcony consist of?

The most versatile structural elements are a platform, fencing and fasteners (supports).

Standard widths are approximately 0.8 meters and lengths are approximately 2.5–3 meters, depending on the type of building.

The height of the fence for a building with a height of up to 30 m is not less than 900 mm.

If the building is taller, the height of the railing should also be increased by another 100 mm.

Types of loggias

The design features are divided into three types - built-in, remote and corner. The built-in structure is closed on three sides. The base plate is supported by load-bearing walls. The callout rests on the beams of additional walls. The corner is closed on both sides. The possible dimensions of the loggia are mainly limited only by its type and design features of the building.

SNiPs and GOSTs of balconies and loggias construction documentation

Having decided to re-equip or repair a balcony or loggia in your apartment, you should understand that any manipulations associated with the reconstruction and redevelopment of these premises must necessarily comply with regulatory requirements. The main document regulating this kind of activity is SNiP. Balconies and loggias, in accordance with this set of rules, are designed and erected in order to prevent their damage and destruction during operation.

According to the requirement of SNiP, a loggia or balcony of an open or closed type should not exert additional pressure on the supporting and enclosing structures of the building in which they are located

When installing them, it is also important to take into account fire safety requirements and established sanitary standards.

In addition, this normative act explains in which cases the construction of these premises is impractical due to the unfavorable conditions of their operation. GOST loggias and balconies are taken into account in the documentation SNiP 31-01-2003 "Residential multi-apartment buildings", which contains a detailed list of conditions that must be met when redeveloping and refurbishing these premises, as well as general requirements for the construction of residential buildings of various types.

SNiP 31-01-2003 "Residential apartment buildings" (406 KB, pdf)

One of the important stages associated with the arrangement of balconies and loggias of various types is the construction of a new balcony railing, which ensures reliable and durable fixation of the main structure. When performing work of this type, you should use GOST balconies fencing, number 25772-83, containing instructions on the design and installation of fences of various types.

In accordance with the established standards, only screen-type structures can be used for fencing balconies and loggias. Moreover, these elements must withstand the level of loads provided for in SNiP 2.01.07. GOST for balconies indicates that the total height of the balcony railing should be:

• in buildings up to 30 m high - 1000 mm;
• above 30 m - 1100 mm.

In this case, the height of the railings of the enclosing element should be at least 900 mm, and their bearing capacity should be an order of magnitude higher than the usual stair railings. One of the important conditions for their design and construction is the absence of sharp protrusions and rough edges.

Also, increased requirements are imposed on the safety of the balcony railings being erected. For this purpose, the use of horizontal elements is prohibited on them.

The most common technique used to ensure a sufficient level of noise and heat insulation on balconies and loggias of various types is their glazing. The basic requirements for devices for window and balcony door blocks are described in GOST 30777-2012.

This set of rules contains instructions for the manufacture and installation of pivoting, folding and swing-out devices, as well as other elements included in the package of window and door balcony blocks of various types.

In particular, it contains technical requirements for the design, dimensions and maximum deviations, reliability and resistance to loads and ergonomic indicators of structures made of various materials used for glazing balconies.

In addition, this document also contains annexes with diagrams and examples of the device of pivoting, folding and swing-out mechanisms with separate assemblies and elements.

What is a balcony

It is generally accepted that all multi-storey buildings have such a superstructure - a balcony. But here you should be extremely careful, because not every protruding structure bears this name. Very often, projects of modern high-rise buildings are equipped with a completely different structure - a loggia. To understand the difference, it is recommended that you memorize the exact definition of each concept.

A balcony is a superstructure protruding from the facade, which must have a fence. It can be quite large in size or quite small.

It is important to consider that the balcony is open on three sides and is not part of the living space. The balcony structure does not imply heating in this space; according to SNIP standards, the insulation of this space is a violation

Based on the fact that the balcony slab is fixed only from the side entering, it is not recommended to clutter up this space with massive furniture and other heavy objects.

Exterior of the balcony in a standard multi-storey panel building

Ownership and responsibility

To the question: are the balconies part of the apartment, one can answer unequivocally: yes, it is. But there are several legal issues here. Article 36 of the RF LC defines the belonging of some premises and parts of the house to common ownership, according to which loggias and balconies are common property.

The legislation states that the load-bearing structures and external walls of the apartment: the ceiling, floor and utilities are common property, and the space between the walls is in the private property of the owner of the apartment. Thus, the slab, front wall, fence of the balcony and loggia are common property, and the space between them is owned by the owner of the apartment.

Within your space, you can do everything that does not harm the common shared property. All important aspects of the operation and refurbishment of balconies and loggias are regulated by the Rules and Regulations for the Operation of the Housing Fund, approved by Resolution No. 170 of the State Construction Committee of the Russian Federation of September 27, 2003.

In order to avoid conflict situations, as well as time and financial costs, it is necessary that all auxiliary premises are indicated in the ownership documents, otherwise it will be necessary to redeem or prove the right to property in court.

Repair

Based on LCD part 2 of Art. Clauses 17, 18 and 21, the repair of general building objects, including emergency balconies, should be carried out by the housing and communal services services, after drawing up an inspection report and written consent of 2/3 of the homeowners, in accordance with Article 46 of the Housing Code, Part 1.

Unlike paper standards, in practice, you will have to make repairs yourself, and then, in court, claim reimbursement of costs.

Many people wonder how the balcony differs from the loggia. Despite the visual similarity, as well as the identical functionality of the premises, in reality they are different objects. In order to understand these concepts, you should consider the features of each design separately.

Finishing

The decoration of balconies and loggias was discussed in detail in a separate article, but now we are only interested in one aspect - work on external cladding and insulation. Cold and warm glazing of balconies and loggias - what's the difference?

"Cold glazing"

It is appropriate in the case when you are not going to spend a lot of time on the loggia, or you will actively use it only in the summer. Throwing away a lot of money for significant insulation in your case does not make sense.

Cold glazing will protect the loggia from precipitation, dirt, dust, street noise. And oddly enough, the temperature on the balcony will still be noticeably higher. Such glazing is performed with an aluminum profile, which is protected from corrosion and is designed for a service life of more than 50 years. By the way, it can be painted in any color, realizing any idea for decorating balconies and loggias.
If the plans are to make the room warmer, it is necessary to install plastic double-glazed windows and do more thorough insulation.

"Insulation of the balcony and loggia - theory and photo"

Warming a loggia is a necessary stage before starting redevelopment, if you combine it with a room. The procedure affects everything - floor, ceiling and walls. Many fear that the insulation will eat up additional centimeters of the area, because walls that are too thin cannot provide thermal insulation. But do not worry - you will lose no more than 5-6 centimeters, which, you see, is insignificant.

If such manipulations were carried out on the balcony, even in winter the door to it can be kept open, drafts and frosts will bypass you. But to live in this room, you need heavy artillery.

"Full insulation"

What is the difference between complete insulation of a balcony and a loggia?

What we mean by ordinary insulation only helps to retain heat in the room, but in no case increase its amount. On an ordinary insulated loggia in winter, you will have a hard time. There can be no question of working there all day, having a leisurely breakfast or indulging in your favorite hobby.

Automatically, the loggia will not get warm! To make it a full-fledged part of the apartment, that is, to include it in the total area without any coefficients, is possible only if the battery is taken out to the loggia. This will not only give you real coziness and comfort, but also raise the cost of housing.

Additional information on arranging balconies and loggias

In Soviet times, loggias were glazed and used as a place for hanging clothes, a smoking room, and even as a warehouse for unnecessary things. But why waste precious meters today, if you can equip both the loggia and the balcony so that it will be the most favorite place in the apartment?

Interesting ideas for decorating a loggia with photo examples

Let's plunge into the world of other people's ideas and solutions: if there is already additional space, you can remake it into a part of the room, insulate it, glaze it, turn it into a cozy veranda or study.

Breakfasts, lunch, dinners will become more interesting: from such a place it is interesting to observe the city, feeling as if in the most cozy cafe

A light, small, cozy office - you don't need a lot of effort to design it, but there are more than enough benefits

Glazing to the floor opens up the opportunity to fully admire the opening view

Design of balconies in a private house with photo examples

For the design of balcony structures in modern construction, plastic, glass, wood and metal are used. Artistic forged designs become a wonderful architectural decoration. Plastic is the least beautiful, but this is the least expensive finish. Most of the owners of balconies try to glaze them, thus turning them into a space closed from bad weather.

Wide structures easily turn into summer verandas

Open designs evoke romantic thoughts and moods

Glazing solves the problem of being on the balcony during bad weather conditions

It is impossible to imagine a modern apartment building without a spacious loggia or a cozy balcony. A lot of useful and not very necessary things are stored there, laundry is dried, jars with homemade preparations are stored.

Sometimes this space is used as a full-fledged continuation of the living space. They set up a study, a play area, and a small workshop. Very often the concepts of "loggia" and "balcony" are confused, believing that they are identical. However, this is not at all the case. These two structures have several design differences, which will be discussed in our article.

What is a balcony and what is a loggia?

It is very easy to visually distinguish these structures. The balcony is a ledge near the windows, which has a sufficient area to accommodate furniture, store things or use it for other purposes.

Loggia is a niche, a recess in the wall. From the street side, it looks flush with the facade, while the balcony largely protrudes from it. This is a difference at the philistine level. To correctly determine what each structure is, SNiP (building codes and rules) will help.

According to building codes, a balcony is a fortified platform that protrudes from the plane of the wall. Depending on the shape, size, type of construction and other parameters, balconies may differ from each other.

By the type of construction, the balcony is:

1. Typical. The most common option that can be found in all standard buildings today. Such structures differ from each other by the presence of glazing, various finishes, the type of fencing and other elements.
2. Attached. This type can most often be found on the first two floors of a building. This design has free space underneath, where the balcony supports are located.
3. Attached. Such a balcony, as a rule, is already mounted to an existing structure. The structure necessarily has outboard cantilever beams for fastening the structure to the wall and front supports to reduce the load on the building facade.
4. Hinged. This design is fixed to the facade with fasteners. It differs from other types in that no additional supports are required for fixing. Thanks to this, the hinged balcony can be installed on any floor. Has several types of appearance.
5. Forged. Balcony, which has elements of forged metal in the construction. These can be supports, railings, a fence, or all of them together.
6. French. Its fundamental difference is the partial or complete absence of the site. It is most often used as a decorative window guard. Differs in compact dimensions and design grace.

A typical balcony is a reinforced concrete slab protruding from the building wall and fenced off with a metal grate. The lattice can be open, closed with decorative plates or sheets of flat slate. The slab is attached only from the side of the entrance, so it is not recommended to overload the balcony with too massive structures and heavy finishing materials.

By the presence of glass, balconies can be glazed and open. Today, it is the first design option that can be found more and more often. People, in an attempt to protect themselves and their homes from noise, dust, insects, precipitation, cover the balcony with transparent glass. This method allows you to expand your living space a little.

Glazing can be partial when the bottom of the balcony remains closed, and full when the balcony space is covered with glass from floor to ceiling.

The loggia does not protrude beyond the facade of the house and is fenced, as a rule, from three or two sides, while the balcony is only from one. The depth of its drowning into the wall depends on the standards of natural light for the room that is adjacent to this wall. The concrete slab, which serves as a base for it, rests on the load-bearing or semi-load-bearing walls of the house.

The open part of the loggia is limited by a metal, concrete, stone, wood, glass or other parapet.

Depending on the design features of the loggia, it happens:

1. Built-in. With this option, the loggia has only one open side. The support is carried out on the load-bearing wall of the house.
2. Portable. The base plate rests on wall consoles that are attached to the house.
3. Corner. With this option, two sides of the loggia are closed, and two are open.

The loggia can be covered with glass or remain open. True, the glazing can be partial in any case. The lower part of the loggia must be closed with a brick, concrete or metal fence.

The internal space of the loggia can also be used as a full-fledged living space, without even resorting to its expansion.

It is believed that the loggias cannot be heated, but this is not the case. Moreover, in some administrative buildings, loggias are used as recreation areas for employees. Accordingly, radiator heating is provided there to ensure comfortable conditions for rest. Some loggias, due to their design features, have windows in the side walls.

The main differences

Balcony and loggia differ in several parameters:

1. By constructive type. The balcony is a remote element of the building, the loggia is recessed.
2. The number of closed sides. At the balcony, only one wall is closed from the side of the entrance, and at the loggia there are two (in the case of a corner structure) or three.
3. Strength. The outrigger plate serves as a support for the balcony, therefore it has significant weight restrictions. That is, it is not recommended to make a concrete screed on the floor, install massive furniture or use heavy finishing material for cladding. The support for the loggia is the supporting structure of the building, therefore, from this point of view, it is a more reliable and strong structure.
4. Square. Usually the balcony has a much smaller overall dimensions. Its length is limited by the size of the base plate, and the length of the loggia is limited by the size of the adjoining room. This is due to all the same design features. The balcony is an outrigger structure, so it cannot be too spacious.
5. Differences according to SNiP. According to building codes, the balcony is a fenced cantilever slab that protrudes from the façade and is closed on one side only.

The balcony is limited by the weight of the furniture placed on it. The balcony is less functional than the loggia. Since there are weight restrictions, it is recommended to choose lightweight aluminum frames for balcony glazing. For glazing the loggia, plastic double-glazed windows can be used. The loggia can increase the area of ​​the adjacent room, but the balcony cannot.

The difference in functionality and arrangement

As for the functionality of these structures, the loggia wins. For example, already at the stage of renovation, more funds are invested in the balcony space. It must be insulated and glazed on three sides, while the loggia only has one or, in rare cases, two. On the other hand, a balcony that takes up a smaller area requires less financial investment in the arrangement of the floor and ceiling.

The loggia is part of the apartment, while the balcony is an outrigger structure. It has less functionality for arranging it under a study or play area. The limited loading and small width significantly reduce its potential.

The loggia can be turned into almost any room for its intended purpose. Free space and good natural light allow it to be used as a study. To set it up, you don't need a lot of furniture: a desk, the necessary office equipment, shelves or bedside tables for documents are enough. If necessary, natural lighting can always be enhanced with artificial lighting (built-in lamps, chandeliers, sconces).

A small tea table, lounger or rocking chair will turn the loggia into a cozy place to relax with a cup of coffee or your favorite book.

A rack or chest of drawers for children's toys, a soft, fleecy carpet on the floor, a drawing board and other little things will turn the loggia into a play area for children of all ages. In this case, of course, it is necessary to secure the space as much as possible: to exclude the presence of sharp corners and dangerous objects, to install clamps on the double-glazed windows.

A winter garden or a greenhouse is a "green" corner that can be arranged both on the loggia and on the balcony. Planters or flower pots can be placed around the perimeter of the parapet, on the outside, or on the floor.

A spacious loggia often becomes a continuation of the dining or kitchen area. Here you can install a rectangular or round table, tabletop or even a bar counter. The balcony is limited in these possibilities, since it is impossible to insulate it with the help of central heating radiators, and using portable heaters is not always convenient, and quite costly.

The loggia allows you to install a heater, air conditioner, insulate the floor, use a variety of finishes and decor elements, arrange massive, heavy furniture.

In addition to the above examples, a loggia is an ideal space for creating a home library, wardrobe, living room, summer kitchen, workshop and other premises. It is enough just to show your imagination and the usual loggia will turn into an additional, functionally significant room.

The choice of the room into which the loggia or balcony will be converted depends on their area, dimensions, design features and capabilities.

A balcony can also be a great place to relax, grow plants, and store a lot of useful things. To do this, it is quite possible to place light shelves, small bedside tables or racks there. They can be further used to place sports equipment, clothing, bedding, toys, household utensils, sewing supplies, and tools.

By the way, the balcony can be an excellent greenhouse for growing certain types of vegetables, fruits or flowers.