Friday, February 5th, 2010
There are some places in the home which needs extreme protection. They are balcony, staircase and other outdoor spaces in the home. Especially, when you reside in older buildings, the balconies might not be safe for children. The barrier that gives protection and safety to the balcony is railing. The balcony railings are made either from wood or some metals like iron.
In what way balcony railings are beneficial to home?
- The important point to consider in balcony railings is safety. The material from which the railings are made, is not taken into consideration, the only thing to consider is see that whether it is attached properly to the building.
- Besides giving protection, it adds beauty to the home on installation, which directly has an impact over the value of the home.
- The material which is most commonly used for the construction of balcony railing is metal. The materials which are robust are most commonly used for the construction purpose, because they are strong enough to provide support. Apart from being very strong, the metal balconies come in various designs. Decorative design work on the balconies gives an elegant outlook to your home.
Balconies are always present at a certain height from the basement of the building. In general, there are three types of balconies, they are faux, false and true balcony. Out of which, false balcony is mainly used for the decorative purpose, through which it enhances the architecture of your home.
Points to consider while selecting a balcony railing
1. Consideration in terms of the provision of the safety.
2. The type of material used.
3. And how far it helps in the decoration of the home.
The railings used on balcony should be cleaned now and then; it should be kept clean from dirt, dust and grime. Whenever, if you have an idea of installing something in your home, the priority goes to safety. There exist certain building codes, which serve as a guide in planning and designing your home. Anyhow, the building codes should be followed properly ensuring the safety of the people in the home. As already pointed out, apart from providing safety, balcony railings serve as a tool in improving visual appearance of the home. Balconies are highly dangerous, if there is no installation of railings. Be sure of the railings you purchase, whether they are placed properly into the structure of the building and have the ability to withstand the weight.
Since, railings are the most important part of the balcony; you have to be sure whether it is made out of the best material. By installing the best railings for your balcony, you need not worry about the protection in your home.
Tags: Balcony, Importance, Railings, their
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Thursday, May 28th, 2009
When you have a piece of balcony to add a railing to, you could easily be spoilt for choices. Let’s face it, choosing a suitable design for a balcony railing is no easy task these days. There are practically thousands of designs to choose from. Moreover, you need to decide on a material of choice.
Choosing the right railing and newels for your stairs and balcony is of utmost importance. This is because they constitute the most noticeable part of any stairway or balcony. While the right railing and newel design can quickly spruce up even the most boring stretch of a balcony to a veritable thing of beauty, the wrong choices can ruin it completely.
If you are looking for beautiful stair newels, or balusters, or handrails, you’d find a wide range on the Internet. When looking for stair newels of a high aesthetic quality, it is advisable to approach the reputed manufacturers of such stair parts, for the best design options at the best prices. After all, you don’t want to end up spending your hard earned money on stair parts of dubious quality or poor aesthetic value.
Your aim should always be to look for stair box newels that are architecturally correct and pleasing to your eyes. Most high quality box newels available today, from reputed manufacturers and sellers online, feature a long bottom block that gives the installer plenty of room for cutting and fitting options. The box newel can be notched so that it hangs over a landing. It can also be cut short to sit on a tread. Box newels can even be custom-built to be used as columns.
If durability and value for your money are your twin concerns, opt for stair newels and balcony railing parts that have been manufactured using state-of-the-art processes and tested for quality and sturdiness. Most newels are manufactured in primed and stain grade. The stain grade newels are carefully assembled and require a light sanding before being finished. Primed box newels are ready to be painted and installed immediately.
So, what are you waiting for? Go online and discover the most exquisite range of stair newels for your staircase.
Tags: Balcony, Newels, Railings, Spruce, Sturdy, Trendy
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
Due to the popularity of my article entitled ‘Create a Natural Privacy Screen for your Deck or Balcony Area that is Sure to Add a Calming Charm,’ I thought it would be helpful to cover a few more ways to enhance your privacy in a natural and green way. This time by mixing in some additional foliage with coordinating color and some flowering possibilities.
When writing my original article, I knew right away that the issue of privacy screens would be a hit after speaking to so many neighbors, acquaintances, and overall troubled homeowners who were battling to find a natural way of melding their established landscaping with their balcony or deck area and add an element of what I refer to as ‘calming charm’ at the same time.
To help you out even more and take our original project subtly one step further, we can mix more than one vine together for the effect sought after and easily achieved in hanging and window baskets. By coordinating and complimenting more than one type of foliage and enhancing it with a color combination that fits your landscaping theme, your balcony or deck can take on an enchanting new and calming look. You may remember that our original project used only the Creeping Fig vine to create our privacy screen. Let us look at ways of starting a harmonious relationship between the Creeping Fig and other vines and plants.
Assuming you decide to use the Creeping Fig as we detailed in the first article, consider adding a second type of vine to your mix, such as pink Jasmine or another dark leaf plant. Both of these particular plants have a darker green foliage, but with much different shaped leaves. The growth characters of each are very different as well, with the Creeping fig exhibiting a natural ability to cling to surfaces, and the pink Jasmine trailing and wrapping itself around its own shoots and those of other plant varieties. The most significant difference between these two plants though is the flowering nature of the pink Jasmine and its well deserved fragrant reputation. Both are very hardy plants and blend very harmoniously together, while offering a splash of color during the spring and summer seasons from the pink Jasmine.
Here is how you will create your privacy screen:
Step 1: The planning and planting phase of creating this more colorful and natural privacy screen is essentially identical to that in the original article. You would pick out your plant containers, ideally rectangular to flow well with the shape of your balcony or deck. Make sure they have drainage holes or be sure to drill them yourself. Then, add a layer of small rocks or gravel to help with drainage and keep soil from falling through the drainage holes. Finally, add your potting soil, organic fertilizer, your vines of choice, and a top layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture and resist weed growth. Your containers will most likely need to be a bit longer in length since you will be planting two vines side by side.
Step 2: Again, you will cut 1 to 2 inch strips of plastic fencing available in most garden centers, and attach loosely to your fence panels or deck railings using a staple gun. Be conservative in how much you staple. You are simply trying to attach a few of the vine lengths to give them a start. Use plastic coated wire ties to attach a few of those vine lengths to the plastic fencing. Eventually, the vines will grow and shield the visibility of these plastic fencing and wire pieces, so you will forget they are even there.
Step 3: Follow the directions received on the information tag that hopefully came with the vines you purchased, and water, fertilize, and prune accordingly.
You have now learned another way of giving your balcony or deck a calming charm, and adding a natural and lush privacy screen at the same time.
Tags: Another, Balcony, Calming, Charm, Deck, Ideas, Landscaping, Natural, Privacy, Screen
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Sunday, April 19th, 2009
Now is the time to consider what would work for next year for those who are considering creating a garden room on that balcony or rooftop area of your home, apartment or condo. Your balcony backyard is becoming more and more popular and with a little attention, can become a focal point of your home and wonderful area for entertaining.
Because balconies are usually quite small, space is a major design consideration. The main design principle is to keep the design as simple as possible. The last thing you want is a cluttered, busy look.
One major consideration for those narrow or small areas is to use a square or rectangular container or garden planters that follow the angles and edges of balconies. They will also save space. Hanging baskets, espaliered, and climbing plants will bring the walls to life. The plants themselves can be grown in your containers, easily moved around with the seasons. A trellis attached to the wall is a great place to grow climbing plants and still leave enough room for a small table, bench or a couple of chairs.
Rooftop gardens and some balconies are often blasted by wind and sun, so select plants that are suitable for these conditions. Some suggestions may be Cacti, Kalanchoe, Ivy and many ornamental grasses for they are somewhat drought resistant. Others that may need a little more care are Roses, Citrus, Daisies, Geraniums of course, Bamboo and Conifers. Surprisingly the biggest killer of balcony plants is often overwatering. The urge is great to add water every time you check on the progress of your garden. Beware of being too kind!
Garden pots and planters filled with clipped shapes or standards create a truly elegant effect and may be used as dominant features for your rooftop garden. You can create an exquisite look in a small space by using several pots of clipped shrubs. Boxwood can be clipped into spheres, squares or any shape you desire. Keep in mind that it is less expensive to purchase large unclipped boxwood and then create your own design.
Containers filled with your shrubs make great portable hedges or screens. They are ideal for separating the space from the rest of the area in order to create a separate garden room.
Think carefully about the style and function of your balcony, or rooftop space. Do you want it formal or informal? With a formal look, you can create a modern minimalist style with a few containers filled with select garden plants. In either case, be sure to use heavy, wide pots and planters in windy areas to prevent the pots from being blown over.
If you have a large area, or one that is elongated, consider using repeat plantings to give a clean, uncluttered appearance. Several large containers or planters can be more eye-catching than a collection of small pots.
Use your imagination and just get started. From season to season you will learn what work’s best in your space and how to make the garden room part of your home.
Tags: Balcony, Garden, Home, Spaces
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
Balcony or deck railings are not only used for security reasons. They are also excellent for adding a decorative touch to your home. Balcony railings with the right models can transform a guardrail in an elegant point at home. Plants have become a large part of the decor of today; they are real, silk or artificial plants. A railing of the deck and planter will add a touch of beauty to your terrace or in your balcony.
Balconies are usually found in the upper floors of the house. If you have a window in one of the first floor is a perfect place to have a deck with a balcony. The window can be transformed into a patio door leading to a balcony outside. Because of the height, it is extremely important that the balcony is strong, durable and safe to your home. You will also need strong safeguards to prevent accidents. Many people tend to rely on its railings and “the importance of ensuring that the grids are sufficiently robust to withstand this pressure. Even if they are decorative balcony railings, they must be robust.
Type Balcons
There are certain types of balconies, with them being classified into three types: false balconies, false and true balconies. A false balcony outside the window and extends over 4 to 6 inches, usually outside a window. Decorative balcony railings are the proper height so that they have the appearance of a real balcony. Of course, the size of faux balconies does not allow enough room for one person to walk on the balcony. A false balcony is strictly for decorative purposes and is used to improve the architecture of your home. They are not a lot of railings outside the window of your home. A true terrace has a balcony that extends at least 36 “from the window of the house and is supported by brackets which are fixed outside the house. Fentress are most commonly used as windows of use of balconies. is a balcony large enough for people to walk? Many owners have a balcony with decorative grids as a bridge and ramp planters.
Balcony Material
Metal is most commonly used materials in the railing of the balcony. Balcons bridges are also made of metal because of its high content. Because of the height, you will need the strongest material you can get your deck, as it will be holding a lot of weight. To do this, the metal is the material chosen by most. In addition to the force you get into metal, you can also put in exquisite designs on the metal balconies. Decorative design work on the balconies adds to the elegance and decor of your home. Sustainability is another reason why metal is so good for balconies.
Tags: Balcony, Decorative, Railings
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009
Balconies are usually made of a variety of materials, such as tiles, marble, terrazzo, travertine, sandstone, limestone, granite, slate and terracotta. These materials may seem like they are highly sturdy, but are just as susceptible to normal wear and tear as other materials. A balcony is a delicate structure to begin with; you cannot afford to have a situation where the structural integrity of your balcony is compromised, as this may result in a disastrous situation. This makes balcony repair an important thing to take care of.
Additionally, leaving a balcony leakage unattended will almost certainly affect the look of your balcony and make it seem like it is falling into a state of disrepair. Applying a leak-proof sealant when necessary can enable you to forgo most of these headaches. This type of sealant can be used in a variety of different situations and is equally applicable regardless of whether you want to do some minor touch-up work or fix a major leak.
Megasealed is an Australian company that has pioneered a wide range of products that can be used to seal leaking areas without having to remove any of the flooring or tiling in the given space. This allows customers to obtain leak-free areas with a minimal amount of effort and disruption. Megasealed offers leak-proofing solutions for showers and balconies, as well as marble and granite flooring. Megasealed also offers anti-slip coating solutions and can be used to create slip resistant surfaces in areas of your house, such as your bathroom. For more information, please visit www.megasealed.com.au.
Tags: Australian, Balcony, Leakage, Solutions
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009
Balcony is not just extra space — it serves various functions in urban areas where space is a constraint, says
Have you ever visited some of the elite areas of the capital like Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan, Anand Niketan, or Sunder Nagar in the evening or when sun is setting? If you have not so far, just visit those places, and you will see that foreigners living there are enjoying their tea or light drink in the balconies of their houses after a hard-day at office. The houses with balconies facing parks, ridge area or monuments are grabbed by anxious tenants the moment they fall vacant.
Our expatriate clients more often than not ask us to find houses with good spacious balconies. I have observed that houses with nice balconies with a good view always remain in great demand in the rental market, says Anil Makhijani of Mak Realtors.
Even young Indians too love to sit and enjoy the view from their highrise apartment. Anupama Jha, a journalist, says she enjoys lounging in her East End Apartment flats balcony in East Delhi, both in the morning and the evening everyday and enjoys the gentle breeze. I always recommend my friends to buy a flat above fifth floor to enjoy the view and the nice breeze, she says.
And as space is shrinking in flats and floors, balconies are also used as a reading and relaxing areas. Some people use them as childrens study and play area, while others use it as a service space for washbasin, washing machine and dish washers, or to dry clothes. This semi-indoor space is a filtering zone for noise and dust pollution and of course, is a space for pets.
Rizvi is of the view that one must avoid having window airconditioning units on the floor of the balcony as it will affect usage of the balcony. If there is no option before you, you can place it at lintel level. As far as possible, avoid using road-facing balconies as clothes drying spaces. If possible maintain a small garden in the balcony. If every roadfacing balcony has a small garden, the ambience will be really refreshing.
As Delhi and NCR experience scorching summers, bamboo and rolling screens on the sides can also protect balconies from harsh weather. You can also have a ceiling fan in the balcony. Water bodies and aquarium can also be very refreshing. Prefer folding and glazed doors with grills at the living and dining spaces that open towards balconies. This will enhance the usage of the space considerably.
According to Rajat Mahajan of Integrated PanRealty Solutions Private Limited, there are some builders who make balconies with every room in their residential apartment.
The buyers should ensure that they should pay extra money as preferential location charges (PLC) to builder only if the balcony is really good enough. It is a well-known fact that builders charge good amount of money as PLC from their clients if the balcony is facing a club house or a golf course.
Courtesy:- Times Property dt:- 07-11-09
Tags: AFFAIR, Balcony, BREEZY
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Florence is a city full of history where it’s easy to be charmed by surrounds and you do not notice some little corners, minor ones that make you rediscover the city and the character of Florentine people.
One of these is little corners in Florence, perhaps surrounded by a legend, is in Borgo Ognissanti at number 12, where is located the reversed balcony. Admiring it is a real pleasure especially if you think about the legend that surrounds it, not because it was object of peculiar tales but because it reflects very well the city and its inhabitants character, reflection where I see myself too.
The reversed balcony that is located on the first floor, was built by assembling counter wise the classical elements of a regular balcony: the supporting corbels, its volutes and the balustrades where capitals are in place of the base.
The building dates back to the 16th century, and it seems to have been built in such a curious way as a request of the stable’s builder, due to some spites with the Duke Alessandro de’ Medici.
Looks like, that at the moment of the project proposal, this was rejected by the Duke, cause the balcony was too prominent (for some law of the age). After the first reject the builder presented the project a second time modifying a few things but leaving the balcony almost unchanged, of course the Duke Alessandro denied it again. At a third instance, trying to be salacious, the Duke wrote on his response: “yes on the contrary”. The builder, applying the answer to the letter, ordered to his architect to build the balcony upside-down. Perhaps the Duke Alessandro would have liked to punish the irreverent constructor, but as a Florentine … I think he appreciated and approved his presence of mind.
Tags: Balcony, Florentine, Legends, Reversed
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Sunday, March 15th, 2009
Before you get started with either your balcony garden or gardening on your rooftop, there are some very important factors to consider.
Firstly, and of course the most obvious, make sure that the structure can withstand the weight and the rooftop will not be comprised with anyone walking on it, let alone creating extra weight or watering difficulties.
Most apartment and condominium balconies will definitely support gardening in containers and planters. The ones that are built with wood may not support extremely large and heavy pots; however, gardening can still be done with smaller planters. Where you have concrete floors, there is little damage to the surface, however, be sure to avoid using very heavy containers. This is where research into other planter materials is prudent, your resin garden planters do not contribute weight in of themselves and larger containers therefore may be used. Spread the load over a wide area using wooden slats, brackets and hooks to take the weight of hanging pots or baskets.
Secondly, check the microclimate of your balcony or rooftop. Note the direction of the wind and how much sun it gets during the day. Some balconies are very sheltered and receive no direct sunlight; others are fully exposed and take the direct sun all day. Of course, the rooftop garden may be sheltered by service structures or you may place your own trellis to give some protection from the wind and sun. Many balcony plants do not get much rain because they are situated under an awning or protected from the balcony above. In this case, make sure that the containers are kept moist by watering daily.
What to plant. Just like planning your landscape garden, you may wish to consider your balcony and/or rooftop a private place to relax and entertain.
Start with a framework around your space. Create a distinct border to surround your new space. This can be done with plants that spill onto the space like lady’s mantle and geraniums or you can create clusters of height with grasses and small shrubs. All of your plants can be in garden planters and containers. They are easy to move around to see what works best and easier to control the intense heat or winds during certain times of the day.
Your planters may be incorporated into wonderful garden benches – the benches can delineate the space and provide additional seating. One simple way is to create a platform for your containers – then the plants can be easily seen and of course it is nice to have scented plants all around. Some of the best scented plants may be roses, heliotrope, jasmine, gardenias and sweet peas. You can be very creative with the placement of the planters and containers – cluster them in different sizes and shapes and filled with a wide variety of plant material.
Privacy on your balcony, rooftop or terrace is easily accomplished using well situated raised planters or by adding a pergola or trellis to block unsightly maintenance or ventilating equipment. Just plant a climbing hydrangea, wisteria, magnolia or jasmine vine and the garden décor is complete.
Linking your home, apartment or condo to your outside space can often be the best of all worlds. There are so many options to have a garden for enjoyment inspired by your own aspirations.
Tags: Balcony, Gardens, Rooftop
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Monday, February 23rd, 2009
One of the most popular trends of the new millennium is on towards outdoor living. What this means is that more and more people are seeking to use their land as well as their houses as living spaces, moving living areas out onto decks and patios and even lawns. By doing his, people can enjoy nice weather outdoors and still have the comforts they expect inside.
Contrary to popular opinion outside of our borders, Canadians are certainly not exempt from the draw of outside living. In fact, one might say that we appreciate really great weather even more than our neighbours to the south, since we know what BAD weather is really like. So it’s not surprising that all across Canada people are creating their own outdoor living rooms, from the rural areas right to the big cities such as Toronto.
Of course, when you are talking about the majority of Toronto residents in the downtown area particularly, outdoor living spaces are going to be centred around the balconies of apartment and condominium complexes. In this article, we are going to take a look at some ideas to incorporate into your outdoor living on your Toronto balcony.
Start with your furniture. The best place to begin when it comes to setting up a living area outdoors is with your furniture choices. Most balconies are covered, so you won’t have to worry about the effects of rain, but wind can still do some weathering on susceptible furniture. Take a look at pieces made form hardy materials, but which are still comfortable to sit or lie down on. You might want to include a couple of different pieces for sitting or lying down on; chairs, hammocks, even swings are all great options. And don’t forget a nice table, of a size that can suit your snacking or even outdoor dinner ideas!
Decorative touches. Once you have your furniture picked out, you can start thinking about those little touches that will give your balcony a flavour that is uniquely you. Your touches should include decor that flows well with your furniture choices.
Plants and flowers. Including plants and flower will add to the atmosphere, complementing the outdoor location of your home outside of home. Plastic arrangements are wonderful when done properly, and of course don’t require the labour needed for the real thing.
So don’t let living in Canada, or living in a high-rise building, stop you from creating your own room outdoors. Outdoor living spaces are easy, trendy, and they convey a true sense of freedom.
Tags: Balcony, Ideas, Toronto
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