How To Build A Balcony

Learning how to build a balcony for your home is a great way to add both style and lass to your home. Balconies can give you a completely different perspective of the area where you live. There are numerous considerations to keep in mind when building a balcony. The following how-to information will make building your own balcony a simple DIY project.

Step 1: Design Balcony

The first thing that you are going to want to do is to design the balcony using the desired materials and the desired dimensions. The best type of wood to use for any project that involves the outdoors is wood that has been pressure treated as it is capable of standing up against the elements and insects better than other types of lumber.

Step 2: Materials

Now that you know what your basic plan is, do a material count and then visit your local hardware store so that you can purchase the necessary materials. We have mentioned most of the materials that you will need at the beginning of this article, but your materials may differ depending on the exact plans for your balcony design and construction.

Step 3: Begin Installation

Begin by cutting your ledger and floor joists to the desired measurements depending on what your individual plan is for the construction of your custom balcony. Nail these pieces into place and make sure that you are using lag bolts to secure the ledger into place. Make sure that you are using 6 inch lag bolts at a minimum for the best possible results. Now make sure of joist hangers in order to secure the floor joist in its place.

Step 4: Install Sub Floor

Now you are prepared to install your sub floor which can be made from plywood. Make sure that the sub floor is both glued and properly screwed into place for it to be sturdy and secure. Now you can fix the corner support posts, securing the hand rail into place once the sub floor has been properly connected to the rest of the balcony skeleton.

Step 5: Hand Rails

Now, can build and install the hand rails, as the corner support posts will already be installed and in place for the hand rails to be secured.

Step 6: Establish Floor

Now you can establish the floor of the balcony using the desired materials. You should have come up with a list of desired materials in the first steps of this process, and now is the time to get the most out of them.

Step 7: Finish Up

Now you can complete the finishing touches on your own personal balcony, including staining, sealing or painting the hand rails and the rest of the balcony so that it matches your home properly.