Juliet Balcony Regulations in the UK: What You Need to Know

Juliet balconies (also called French balconies) are a beautiful way to add light, ventilation, and architectural interest to upper-floor rooms. But there are regulations to follow.

What Is a Juliet Balcony?

A Juliet balcony is a protective barrier fitted to the outside of a full-height window or French door opening. Unlike a traditional balcony, there's no platform to stand on — it simply prevents falls while allowing the doors to open fully.

UK Building Regulations

Under Approved Document K of the Building Regulations:

• Minimum height: The barrier must be at least 1100mm above the finished floor level
• Loading: Must withstand a horizontal force of 0.74 kN/m (residential)
• Glass: Must be toughened safety glass (BS EN 12150) or laminated (BS EN 14449)
• Gaps: No gap wider than 100mm that a child could pass through

Do I Need Planning Permission?

In most cases, Juliet balconies fall under permitted development and don't require planning permission. However, if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or subject to conditions on the original planning consent, you should check with your local authority.

Glass Specification

For Juliet balconies, we recommend a minimum of 15mm toughened glass with polished edges. For wider openings or commercial properties, 17.5mm or laminated glass may be required.

Cost

Juliet balcony glass balustrades start from £300 per metre of opening. A standard French door opening (approximately 1.8m) would cost from around £540 supply only.

Installation

Professional installation typically takes 2-3 hours per Juliet balcony. The glass is secured to the building facade using stainless steel or aluminium fixings.