The answer is ‘yes’; if you’ve bought your Juliet balcony from a reputable supplier and had it installed by a professional, it’s a perfectly safe addition to your home.
Remember, a Juliet balcony forms a barrier outside upper-floor doors and windows so, first and foremost, it is a safety feature – albeit a very attractive one!
Below, we’ll walk you through the laws and standards that regulate the design and installation of Juliet balconies to ensure they’re safe.
What makes a Juliet balcony safe and compliant?
When you buy a Juliet balcony from a trusted supplier like C&R Direct, it will have been designed and manufactured to meet relevant quality standards and compliance.
In the UK, Juliet balconies are legally required to adhere to UK Building Regulations, particularly Approved Document K: Protection from falling, collision, and impact.
These regulations ensure that those Juliet balconies sold in the UK are structurally sound and designed to prevent falling.
What are the technical requirements for a Juliet balcony?
To comply with the law, Juliet balconies must:
- Have railings that are at least 1100mm above floor level
- Not feature gaps between bars or railings that are wider than 100mm
- Be designed to withstand live loads and environmental factors
- Use safe materials, like toughened or laminated glass and marine-grade steel
What are the common safety concerns surrounding Juliet balconies?
If you’re thinking about a Juliet balcony for your home, it’s natural (and responsible!) to consider how safe they are.
Let’s look at some of the most common concerns people have about Juliet balconies and how UK building regulations address them.
Are Juliet balconies safe if you live with small children or pets?
UK building regulations specify that the gap between Juliet balcony railings must not exceed 100mm to prevent children from slipping or climbing through them.
If you have pets, a Juliet balcony with glass panels might be a safer choice if you’re worried that your pet may be small enough to squeeze through a 100mm gap.
Or speak to us when you order, to discuss a custom balcony with smaller gaps between the steel bars- to stop any small animals climbing through!
Is there any risk of a person falling from a Juliet balcony?
The railing on a Juliet balcony must be at least 1100mm above floor level. This height is sufficient to prevent accidental falls from the balcony, providing it is used responsibly.
What if the balcony breaks, causing someone to fall?
Juliet balconies are designed to be robust and long-lasting. The law requires them to be manufactured from high-quality materials and fitted securely by a professional. They must be structurally sound, and able to easily resist loads set out by European Standards BS EN 1991-1-1. Glass balconies must also be made from reinforced or toughened glass.
How to safely install a Juliet balcony
Of course, it’s not just the strength and durability of a Juliet balcony that make it safe; how it is installed is equally important.
The most secure way to install your balcony depends on what surface it is being fixed to.
When you consult a structural engineer and hire a suitably qualified and experienced builder to install your Juliet balcony, they will:
- Check that your wall is structurally sound
- Recommend any necessary structural modifications
- Choose the correct type of fixings for the installation
- Ensure the balcony complies with all height, space, and load-bearing requirements
- Make sure that the balcony is both level and securely anchored
Why choose C&R Direct when buying a Juliet balcony?
If you’re searching for a Juliet balcony for your home, choose C&R Direct, and you’ll be in safe hands.
We’ve been designing and fabricating Juliet balconies from our family-owned workshop in the North of England since 1989.
Our skilled team of fabricators craft made-to-order Juliet balconies from the highest quality materials, including stainless steel and toughened safety glass.
All our balconies are designed to be compliant with UK building regulations, and we offer a 10-year no-rust guarantee.
We sell Juliet balconies in a wide range of elegant styles, from modern glass Juliet balconies to ornate metal Juliet balconies. Our products are made-to-measure, ensuring your order is the perfect fit for your property.
Need help choosing the right Juliet balcony for your home?
Call us on 0161 241 9872 or email sales@crdirect.co.uk, and our team will be happy to assist you.