What Materials Does a Balcony Consist Of?

The Frame

• The wooden frame of a balcony is made from pressure treated lumber. This produces a strong and long lasting wooden frame that is also relatively lightweight. The pressure treatment embeds preservatives in the wood, making it fungus and insect resistant. Alternatives to wooden frames include steel girder frames, which are strong but not as light.

Fastenings

• Lag bolts are essential for securing the balcony frame. They also secure the subfloor with additional joist hangings. Lag bolts are used to secure a variety of wooden structures, from balconies to decking and even bridges. To hold the balcony firmly in place on the wall, the lag bolts should be at least 6 inches long.

Subfloor

• The subfloor needs to be strong enough to hold the main balcony floor plus anything else placed on the balcony, but not so heavy that it adds too much additional weight to the frame. Plywood is an excellent choice for a subfloor in these circumstances. It should be both glued and screwed in place, for security.

Floor

• The floor of the balcony can be made from whatever the owner or designer requires. Common choices of balcony floors are tiles, concrete slabs or simple wooden decking. Whatever the choice, the balcony floor should be made from durable, weather-resistant materials, as it will be outdoors.