Juliet Balcony

A Juliet balcony is a safety barrier fixed across the outside of a full-height opening on an upper floor, usually a pair of French doors. It lets you open the doors wide for air and view without the risk of falling, but there is no platform to stand on. Glass Juliet balconies are popular because they keep the view open and suit modern and traditional homes alike. Sean Cardwell Windows already fits glass balconies from our base in Weston-super-Mare; this page covers Juliet designs in general terms.

What affects balcony glazing costs?

What is a Juliet balcony made of?

Most modern Juliet balconies are a single panel of toughened laminated glass held by metal brackets or a channel fixed to the brickwork or the door frame either side. Some have a handrail along the top, others are frameless glass with only discreet fixings. Traditional versions use metal railings. The glass type, fixings and height all have to be right for the barrier to be safe.

Juliet balcony installation

Installation starts with a survey of the opening and the wall or frame the balcony will be fixed to. The fixings must go into sound masonry or a structural frame capable of taking the load, which is why the condition of the brickwork and reveals is checked closely. The glass is made to measure for the width, then the brackets are fixed and the panel installed and checked. Where new French doors are being fitted, it often makes sense to plan the balcony at the same time, and our French doors page covers those.

Juliet balcony building regs and regulations in the UK

Because a Juliet balcony acts as guarding to stop people falling, Building Regulations apply to it. In general the barrier must be at a safe height above the floor inside and strong enough to resist people leaning on it, and the glass must be of a suitable safety type. The exact requirements depend on the building and how the opening is used, so check with your local building control team or an approved inspector before work is planned. This is general guidance only.

Juliet balcony planning permission

A Juliet balcony usually has less impact on neighbours than a full balcony with a platform, because nobody can stand outside. Whether it needs planning permission depends on the property, its location and any new opening being formed. Listed buildings, flats and homes in conservation areas are more likely to need consent. Ask your local council before committing to a design.

Cost of a Juliet balcony

We do not publish Juliet balcony prices. The cost is driven by the width of the opening, the glass specification, whether a handrail is included, the type and finish of the fixings, access to the upper floor and whether the doors are being replaced at the same time. A cheap Juliet balcony that uses unsuitable glass or fixings is a false saving on something that protects people from a fall.

Next steps

Send a photo of the opening, its rough width and which floor it is on through the quote form. For larger platforms and terraces, see our glass balconies page.