Different Balcony Options

Enclosed True Balconies

• Enclosed true balconies provide shelter, allowing people to use their balconies during inclement weather. True balconies feature a 3-foot landing that extends from a room's window. One of the earliest forms of true balconies is the Maltese-style balcony. The history of Maltese balconies dates to the 18th century, when the addition of this balcony style became popular in Malta. Traditional Maltese balconies are made from wood, but modern versions sometimes include stone or steel.

Open-Air True Balconies

• Open-air balcony designs do not offer covering from stormy weather, but they provide panoramic views surrounding the house. The lack of covering allows open-air balconies to have a wider and/or longer design than the covered Maltese balconies. Some open-air balconies are decorative, with their structure in an unconventional circular or abstract design. Also, decorative balconies usually are made from steel or metal because those two materials' shapes are easier to manipulate than wood. Building owners also install plastic glass open-air balconies, which have plastic glass panels rather than wood or metal.

False Balconies

• The landing of false balconies extends 4 to 6 inches from a house's window, making them more appropriate for aesthetics than supporting body weight. False balconies also feature an iron, stone or wooden balustrade, or a collection of balusters. Balusters are spindles used to support a balcony's railing. A common false balcony type is a Juliet balcony. Named after William Shakespeare's tragic heroine Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet balconies are built as outdoor or indoor structures. While most Juliet balconies are false balconies, some manufactures label them as true balconies.

Faux Balconies

• Faux balconies are balconies by name only because they do not have flooring that extends from a building's wall. These types of balconies consist of placing steel, iron or aluminum railing in front of a building's window. Thus, faux balconies are only for decorative purposes and cannot support large objects or body weight. French balconies are one of the most common faux varieties. Homeowners use French balconies for placing flower pots and hanging vines. French balconies are seen in cities with narrow streets where true balconies cannot fit. Faux balconies also provide safety for homeowners who want to bask in sunlight without fear of falling out an open window.