Glass Pro Tips

A Juliet balcony, also known as a balconette or a French balcony, is essentially a protective glass balustrade or railing that is attached to the outside of a building, directly in front of full-length windows or French doors on an upper storey. It allows for these doors or windows to be safely opened wide for increased light and ventilation, enhancing the sense of indoor-outdoor flow, without taking up any additional exterior space. The design contributes to the aesthetic appeal of a building, offering a sophisticated touch while fulfilling a practical function.

At Bespoke Glass Splashbacks, Kent, we're passionate about providing our customers with the highest quality glass products for their homes and businesses. One unique architectural element that has grown in popularity in recent years is the glass Juliet balcony.

Origin of the Name

The name "Juliet balcony" originates from the famous balcony scene in William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." In the scene, Juliet appears at her bedroom window and muses about her love for Romeo, unaware that he is hiding in her family's garden and overhearing her. Even though there's no explicit mention of a balcony in the play, most popular adaptations depict a very narrow balcony outside Juliet's window.

Uses and Benefits

While Juliet balconies may not provide the same functionality as traditional balconies in terms of outdoor space, they offer several benefits:

Increased Natural Light

Juliet balconies are usually paired with large full-length windows or French doors. The bigger the window or door, the more sunlight can penetrate the room. This allows a larger amount of natural light to fill the space compared to standard windows. If your Juliet balcony has a glass balustrade, it will allow even more light into your room. Traditional railings or balustrades may partially block sunlight, but a clear glass balustrade lets in the maximum amount of light.

The glass used in Juliet balconies can also reflect light into the room, enhancing the overall brightness. By enabling larger openings and utilizing glass in the design, a Juliet balcony can significantly increase the amount of natural light in an indoor space, making the room feel more open, airy, and spacious.

Enhanced Air Circulation and ventilation

By design, Juliet balconies are placed in front of large full-length windows or French doors. This means that a larger area of the building can be opened up, which allows a greater volume of air to enter the room compared to a standard window. This is particularly beneficial during the warmer months.

Safety

The main purpose of a Juliet balcony is to serve as a safety barrier for upper-floor full-length windows or French doors. It prevents individuals, especially children, from accidentally falling from an upper floor when the doors or windows are opened. What's more, we use toughened, or tempered, glass which is is four to five times stronger than regular glass of the same size and thickness. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of a full-length window or French doors on upper floors without any risks.

Aesthetic Appeal

With various designs available, from minimalist to ornate, Juliet balconies can significantly enhance the exterior look of a building, adding a touch of elegance and style. Glass Juliet balconies can seamlessly blend with a variety of architectural styles, from traditional to contemporary. This makes them a versatile choice for enhancing the aesthetics of different types of homes.

Cost-effective

A Juliet balcony can be a very cost-effective solution compared to a traditional balcony. They require less design, planning and construction work as there will usually be no major structural alterations required to your property. Less materials are required than if you were to build a traditional balconies because they don't include a protruding platform. Due to the fact that Juliet balconies don't extend out from the building, they don't require additional space. This is particularly beneficial in dense urban areas where outdoor space is limited. Finally, Juliet balconies - particularly those made from durable materials like glass - require very little maintenance which can result in long-term savings when compared to traditional concrete or wodden balconies.

Simple, stylish glass adapter fixings are all that is required for many glass juliet balconies. 
These are strong and minimalist, blending into any type of building.

There are many ways to attach a glass juliet balcony. This photo shows a full length glass holder bar.

Custom Juliet Balconies at Bespoke Glass Splashbacks

At Bespoke Glass Splashbacks, we offer custom-made Juliet balconies and glass balustrades that are tailored to your specific requirements. Our high-quality glass products ensure durability and safety while maintaining the aesthetics of your property. We are based in Kent and cover the whole of Kent, London and the South East.

To find out more about how a Juliet balcony can enhance your home or business, or to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us.