Many people have started to install faux balconies to improve the curb appeal of their homes. Faux balconies are a fraction of the cost of a real balcony, making your home look great, but they are purely decorative pieces.
Faux means fake, so a faux balcony is a fake balcony. Appearance-wise, a faux balcony looks like the real deal. It’s typically made out of the same materials as a real balcony. But functionally, a faux balcony cannot be used for the same purposes.
Today, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about faux balconies, including the different types and designs, materials, costs, and uses.
What Is a Faux Balcony?
Faux balconies are an architectural cheat that allows you to give your home the appearance of having a balcony, without the substantial costs. Whether you have a French door or large windows, you can place a faux balcony around it to give the appearance of the real thing.
Adding a faux balcony to the outside of your windows can increase the elegance of your home. It can also increase your house’s value so you’ll be looking at a profit if you decide to resell.
You can also use faux balconies on your doors. Typically a faux balcony is made out of wrought iron metalwork. However, modern style balconettes, another name for a faux gallery, might be aluminum or treated steel instead.
Faux balconies can provide peace of mind and security around your windows and doors. Although it can’t be used as a balcony, balconettes can work as a guardrail to ensure no one falls out of the open window or door.
Most faux balconies will be about waist high on an adult, making them plenty tall enough to block children from going over the side. However, don’t let your children climb on the railing as they can fall off.
Faux balconies can also make it harder for your home to be broken into by window entrance. It’s much more challenging to gain access to your window with a balconette sticking out. And because it’s a railing, you won’t lose line of sight or light.
Types of Faux Balconies
There are three different types of faux balconies or Juliette balconies. Which one you choose will depend on your current home design and the look you want your home to have. There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to which type of balconette you choose.
Most balconettes will be made of wrought iron, which is sturdy enough to retain its shape over time. It is weather-resistant enough to withstand severe rain, wind, snow, and storms, as long as it is appropriately secured.
But some balconettes can be made of aluminum, which is also sturdy enough to work as a faux balconette. This material is cheaper and typically doesn’t have all the intricate design work you find in wrought-iron balconies. But it can last for years to come, no matter what type of weather conditions in your location.
Both types of materials can be painted, usually in a powder coat that prevents rusting. False balconies are placed on the outside of your home, typically on the second floor of a floor-length window or door. But you can put them on floor level windows as well.
Once mounted, your balconette takes on the appearance of a balcony, but not the functionality. There are some types of balconies that have fake landings, so you have even more of the look of a terrace, sans being able to enjoy your morning coffee sitting outside.
Juliet Balcony
Juliet Balconies were inspired by the famous play Romeo and Juliet, which took place in Renaissance times. It was on this type of balcony that Juliet stood on while Romeo declared his love.
With heavy Renaissance influences, a Juliet balcony consists of heavily ornate wrought iron metal with intricate scrollwork. These false balconies have repeated decorative designs and a more formal appearance.
Typically, Juliet balconies have three sides. But some are nothing more than a single railing that mounts in front of the window. And you can even find Juliet balconies that have enough room for you to place a flower box or small garden.
In addition to classic Renaissance designs, Juliet balconies can also be found in styles such as shabby chic, Spanish Colonial, Tuscan, or the Mediterranean. And there are even some contemporary options if you do not prefer an older style. You can also use Juliet balconies indoors.
Old World
An Old World faux balcony is also made of intricately wrought iron metalwork. Older European styles heavily influence this design, hence its name.
Most Old World balconettes feature elaborate scrollwork and heavily detailed patterns reminiscent of the Baroque period. You usually find these in black, although it is possible to have them in different colors, depending on the manufacturer you choose.
However, some balconettes have Victorian designs that would consist of a lot of elaborately detailed swirls and patterns. You can also find straight column classical designs.
Old World balconettes are preferable for homes that have a European design. They may not blend in as well with more country or rustic themed homes, or homes with the Mediterranean or Spanish feel.
Depending on the manufacturer, an Old World faux balcony can be a cheaper solution than a custom design. But the price can be about the same as a Juliet balcony.
Most balconettes will have Old World influences, and there’s not a category for Old World. This label is more of a term describing balconettes that have European influences and fancy designs.
These balconettes can have three sides, or they can just be a single straight rail with intricate swirls and metalwork.
Modern
If you’re a fan of modern designs, you may prefer a more up-to-date type of balconette. These faux balconies pull their influence from the 20th century and up.
Typically, modern faux balconies are wrought iron, but many companies are also using aluminum for their frames, which can be molded into any custom design you can dream up. However, the costs might be higher for a one of a kind piece.
The faux balconies’ designs can vary from simplistic linear lines to minimalistic modern, or even art deco. There is no limit to what you can create when you choose a modern balconette.
A modern faux balcony can have three sides or be a single railing. Most of these balconies are simplistic without the intricacies of an Old World or Juliet faux balcony. You won’t see much scrollwork or swirls in a modern gallery.
If you aren’t into the fancy designs of a Juliette or Old World balcony, you may be better off looking into a more modern approach. These faux balconies can work on any type of home, so it’s a great solution if you’re trying to veer from a more traditional style house.
Final Verdict
Faux balconies are a great way to give your home some character without having to pay the extreme costs of installing a real balcony. Although you get the same look, balconettes are not functional.
You cannot use a balconette the same way you would a balcony. Even if you place your faux balcony in front of a door, it will only serve as a rail. You will not be able to use your balconette for standing or sitting.
And there you have it, folks. Now you know what a faux balcony does. We’ve also covered the different types of balconettes, as well as the various design appearances. All that is left for you to do is do your research and pick the faux balcony you want to use on your home.