Requirements For Balconies

Support

• One of the factors to determine is the amount of weight your balcony needs to support. The International Residential Code requires that decks and porches be able to hold 40 pounds per square foot. Balconies are required to support 60 pounds per square foot, because balconies have just one connection to a house.

Attachment

• The attachment of a balcony to a home has to be strong; exact requirements vary based on building codes. Generally, attachment methods have to provide for the amount of weight that must be supported. Screws are preferred over nails because of the added, inherent strength the screw provides. Screws also help wood resist expansion and contraction caused by temperature and humidity changes.

Handrails

• Handrails are required on any balcony as a basic safety precaution. The exact size varies by location and county of residence. Three-feet railings are common for residential balconies. There are often additional requirements for the slats and support columns that state that you must not be able to fit a ball with a 4-inch diameter through the slat.

Inspections

• Before any balcony is considered safe, all of its components should be inspected. Inspections must be done regularly according to local code and regulations, taking place any time a building or remodeling is done as well as when problems are reported. Businesses must be inspected more regularly because they are open to the public, which makes their risk greater.