B.1 Balcony Configuration

Part B: Balcony Types

Balconies can be organized broadly into two categories, external, projecting balconies or internal, inset balconies. Within these two classifications there are a number of connection details that can be used to support the balcony. It is important to understand the implications to a building design, massing and thermal performance associated with these two balcony types.

1. External Balconies

External balconies are characterized as balconies that project beyond the predominant face of the building. These balconies are fastened rigidly at the edge of the building and extend out from the face of the building. All structural loads from the balcony are transferred back to the rigid connection at the edge of the building.

The expression of external balconies is defined by their size, shape, and the composition of the guard.

2. Internal Balconies

Internal balconies are open-air, outdoor spaces configured to be in plane or behind the predominant face of the building. For this type of balcony configuration, the balcony is inset in a recessed façade articulation or internal corner. The structure for internal balconies can be connected to the building’s primary structure along multiple perimeter walls. This type of balcony is popular because they provide a more protected outdoor space with privacy for occupants and more opportunities for doors to access the balcony. The expression of internal balconies is defined not only by their size, shape, and the composition of the guard but also by the massing of, and relationship to the building form.

The thermal bridging that results from the structural balcony connection is fundamentally a result of the area or linear length of thermal transmittance. Since inset balconies are typically connected to the primary structure on two or three sides of the balcony, the length of thermal bridge, or number of structural connections is typically two to three times that of the external balcony which is only connected to the primary structure on one side. Therefore, the area of thermal transmittance for internal balconies is typically larger which may result in more thermal bridging depending on the type of structural connection.

A

External Balcony (Connected on One Side) Thermal Bridge = A

B A

Internal Balcony (Connected on Two Sides) Thermal Bridge = A + B Internal Balcony (Connected on Three Sides) Thermal Bridge = A + B + C

B A

C

Inset Balconies at Shannon Mews

Vancouver BC