Building a second-floor balcony is not an easy task. You need to be aware of the many steps involved in this process before starting the build. However, if you have some building experience under your belt, one or two people can complete this project with relative ease.
The most challenging part of the entire process is laying out the foundation for the second-floor balcony, which makes it very important to get right. Once this is laid out, you can begin with framing and finish off by installing decking materials.
This blog post is informative so readers can learn more about creating their own space on their home’s second story by creating a new living area with access from the first floor via stairs or an elevator. I’m going to show you how to build a second floor balcony.
10 Steps to Follow on How to Build a Second Floor Balcony
Step One: Design and Build
First, decide to build a second-floor balcony, then sketch out the design on paper. You can include measurements of distances of objects or doorways around them. Next, take down your measurements for the building materials you will be getting.
If you are not experienced at doing this yourself, get someone to help you with it- even better if you have to experience building second-floor balconies. After you have done your design, get the materials ready for the construction of the second-floor balcony.
Step Two: Construct the Wooden Frame
Using either cinder blocks or concrete poles, mark out the shape of the floor. This is where you will be placing down your boards to make the balcony’s floor. Ensure that there are no cracks in any of the building materials near this area; it must be fit for use as a place to stand on.
After you have finished constructing the frame, lay down a sheet of plywood on top of it. This will serve as your second-floor balcony’s floor. It is not yet time to add up the walls because you need the floor first to ensure that everything will go smoothly.
Step Three: Raise the Walls
Before you construct the walls, make sure that all of your building materials are dry- if there is any moisture on them, it will cause mold to form. This can be dangerous for even the healthiest people. Once this is done, take your measurements and cut plywood sheets into different parts needed to build up the walls.
You can build the walls by yourself, or you can ask for help. Make sure that these boards are locked together with the help of screws and bolts; this will make your balcony more solid. Please put all of your materials into place before you try to raise sections of it. If not, then some parts might fall- this is bad for your second-floor balcony and can be dangerous as well.
Step Four: Build the Railing
Once you have raised your walls, it is time to make them secure by adding a railing. Since this will be at the second-floor level, safety precautions are essential. Make sure that all of these materials are fit together tightly so that no one can fall through any holes or openings in the balcony’s wall.
There are all kinds of different materials for the railing. You can choose among these to find something that matches your tastes and style. After all, you will be looking at this balcony every day, so it is essential to make sure that it matches your house’s appearance. This will help in how to build a second floor balcony.
Step Five: Add the Stairs
It would help if you only constructed the stairs once the balcony’s walls and floor are set up. This keeps it secure and stable. That way, if any of these materials give out while you add the stairs, all of them won’t come down at once- this could result in injury or death for anyone working on building a second-floor balcony.
Once you have put the stairs together, make sure that they lead up to the second-floor balcony in an organized manner. Again, if you are not experienced at this sort of building, get someone else to assist you with this part; anyone who works on constructing a second-floor balcony must know how to do everything correctly and safely.
Step Six: Do Final Clean-Up
Once you have finished the railing and the stairs, it is time to clean up. First, sweep out any sawdust or dirt that may have fallen onto your second-floor balcony. After this, you may place benches or chairs there if you want; at least make sure that everything is swept away before using the concrete balcony poles.
Once this is done, you have finished how to build a second-floor balcony. You can use it for sitting on, or you can even put up a fence around the outer edge of your balcony so that no one falls off. Remember to follow safety precautions when using this second-floor balcony, especially if there are children in the house.
Step One: Draw Out Your Design
Draw out your design for how you want your second-floor balcony to look. Make sure that this is done before you apply any cement or boards because the measurements must be exact.
You might even want to get out some graph paper so that you can create an organized drawing of how it will look when completed. This will prevent you from having to correct mistakes later.
Step Two: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Please take all of your measurements and double-check them before you start cutting any materials. This is crucial: if your measurements are off even an inch, this will affect your second-floor balcony’s entire design and appearance.
If you need more room on one side than another, you can compensate for this by adding a small support board to one side. This will help make your second-floor balcony more solid and sturdy.
How Tall Is a Second Floor Balcony?
The height of a second-floor balcony depends on the size of the first floor, as well as how many floors it’s stacked above. Standard measurements for second-floor balconies include 8 feet and 10 feet.
These measurements are taken from ground level to the bottom edge of the balcony or roof that covers it. A second-story balcony can extend as high as 12 feet above ground level if the first floor is lower than 8 feet. This won’t be the case if you’re building a second-floor balcony on top of an 8-foot first floor, though.
A second-floor balcony might not need to raise more than 6 feet above ground level. For example, if there is no basement or crawl space under the first floor and the ground slopes very little toward it, you can build a second-story balcony that comes within 6 feet, or even less, of the first floor. Thanks for reading about how to build a second floor balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Add a Second-Floor Balcony?
A second-floor balcony is a great idea for many reasons. For example, if you live in an apartment building and have limited outdoor space, the balcony will give you more room to spread out. You can also use it as a work area or just to enjoy the outdoors when weather permits.
If you are thinking about adding a second-floor balcony, there are some things that need to be considered before going ahead with your plans.
Is It Easy to Add a Second Floor Balcony to A House?
It is easy to add a second-floor balcony to a house. It can be done with or without the use of an elevator. The most important thing that you need to do is get the necessary permits and approvals from your local building department.
Install an elevator will require planning, permit application, structural calculations, architectural drawings, and permit review time frame. The average cost for installing an elevator varies by location and needs but could range from $25,000 – $75,000 for a one-story house with a basement.
Does a Balcony Add Value to Your Property?
If you are looking to buy a property, one of the first things that you should consider is whether or not it has a balcony. If your property has a balcony, it can help with the resale value and how much potential profit you can make on your investment.
If you decide to sell your property in the future, having a balcony will be beneficial because it adds value to your home and increases its appeal among buyers.
The Benefits of Having a Balcony Include :
- It can increase the price of your home by adding extra living space.
- It provides an outdoor area for entertaining guests and family members.
- It gives you somewhere to sit outside and enjoy fresh air during warm weather months when otherwise there would be no room inside.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Build a Balcony?
You need planning permission to build a balcony, but you can get this if you have sufficient space in your garden.
As long as the construction is not likely to affect neighboring properties or cause other problems, there is no requirement for planning permission.
Conclusion
Building a balcony is one of the best decisions you’ll make. Not only will it add value to your home, but also many other benefits such as increased privacy and security for your family + guests, more space in your living room or kitchen area, and even better views from your property!
If you’re looking for someone to help with this project, contact our team today. We have over 20 years of experience constructing balconies, so we know what it takes to get the job done right. After reading this blog, you should know how to build a second floor balcony.
You may also like: How to Build a Ridge Beam Roof
