Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 11, 2012 10:25 am Hello, We're in the process of designing our floor plans and I always wanted a balcony to the rear (where we have views). However, one of the consultants suggested not having a balcony, but instead a large upstairs sitting room with bifold windows that you can open up, to create a balcony feel. He said the cost of this would be lower than a balcony, and we would get more use out of it. Does anyone have this in their home, or seen it somewhere? I'm confused now as to what would be the best way to go... The balcony and/or sitting area would be facing west. As always, all comments very welcome Thanks Scoofy Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 2Oct 11, 2012 1:48 pm You could have bifold windows, or bifold doors - there would just be a railing there so that people cannot fall over the edge. I can see the point of not having a balcony, because we have never used ours. I find the times to use it are few and far between. On the balcony is the last place i want to be when its too hot, too cold, or when the midges and mozzies come out. Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 3Oct 11, 2012 1:49 pm That said, maybe you can have both? You wouldnt need a big balcony, if you just wanted to put a seat, or 2 person out door table on there Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 4Oct 11, 2012 3:32 pm Not sure about what you would have under the balcony. If its a room I would not have on open balcony above it due to the risk of water penetration. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 5Oct 12, 2012 12:31 pm There would be a room below the balcony, however the builder assured that they can waterproof everything. I'm still undecided - I like the thought of a balcony and being out in the open air or being able to watch the stars. But then again, as alt mentioned, it does get too hot in summer to enjoy the outdoors. If anyone has come across any pictures of how the bifold option would look, let me know. If we go for bifold windows then the disadvantage is there would be a wall underneath taking away from the view. And you can't have flyscreens as far as I know. Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 6Oct 12, 2012 12:50 pm Personally, Iād prefer the balcony with large glass doors or even bi-folds opening up onto it ā best of both worlds. If not, then you can screen bi-folds (http://www.stegbar.com.au/products/wind ... ct_screen/ ) Another window option are sashless double hung (http://decorativebuilding.com.au/new-an ... ss-windows ) ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 7Oct 12, 2012 1:01 pm scoofy If we go for bifold windows then the disadvantage is there would be a wall underneath taking away from the view. And you can't have flyscreens as far as I know. You could have an almost transparent balustrade made of stainless steel wire or glass which wont compromise your views Re: Balcony OR upstairs sitting room with bifold windows? 8Oct 12, 2012 2:48 pm My mum has a balcony out from her main living area and it gets used all the time - she has cafe blinds on it for winter. Alternatively friends of ours have a balcony but have bifold doors on it, so the balustrading sits on the inside of the bifolds. In summer they open the whole thing up and in winter it becomes like a sunroom. Its really awesome all the benefits of an enclosed room but no compromising on their views. I think use of the Balcony depends on your lifestyle and also where its positioned - I think if it runs off your living areas it's more likely to get used as it extends the space of those living areas The unit normally clips into a metal plate screwed to the wall, either plate is not flush, or unit not hooked in and could be hanging from the pipes partly, either might… 2 15791 I have a home gym at home. It weights 150KG including the weight stack. I'm a big boy, around 150KG myself. I was thinking about moving it up stairs to the second… 0 6302 First time building 2 storey home in NSW. Below Current plan have separate balcony. But thinking to do a multipurpose lounge with balcony (kind of sunroom) in first floor… 0 4780 |