How To Make Your Balcony Safer
Find out what are the six problems that make the balcony accident-prone and the tips on fixing them
The balcony is a great spot to hang out, relax and enjoy the outdoors nestled within the comfort of your home. But inclement weather and everyday wear and tear can lead to damage. If you ignore the safety of the balcony, it may result in structural failure and make this space a hazard rather than a versatile outdoor area. So, we’ve put together a checklist of common problems that make the balcony accident-prone and ways to treat them.
2. Corrosion due to rusting
Rusting takes place when iron reacts with air and moisture. Regular deposition of rust on the railing leads to corrosion and damages the sturdiness of the structure. So, the removal of rust or repairing a rusted railing is essential.
How to Beautify Your Tiny Balcony Garden
Rusting takes place when iron reacts with air and moisture. Regular deposition of rust on the railing leads to corrosion and damages the sturdiness of the structure. So, the removal of rust or repairing a rusted railing is essential.
How to Beautify Your Tiny Balcony Garden
Here’s a quick four-step process to get rid of rust:
1. Clean and sand off the rust from the railing using abrasive tools such as a wire brush and steel mesh.
2. Then apply epoxy or polyester resin over the rusted railing along with oil paint for added protection.
3. Coat the surface with an alkyd primer.
4. Apply high-quality metal paint with a brush or spray to finish off.
Tip: Make sure you get rid of the original rust completely before applying protective paint. If not, the rust will continue to spread.
1. Clean and sand off the rust from the railing using abrasive tools such as a wire brush and steel mesh.
2. Then apply epoxy or polyester resin over the rusted railing along with oil paint for added protection.
3. Coat the surface with an alkyd primer.
4. Apply high-quality metal paint with a brush or spray to finish off.
Tip: Make sure you get rid of the original rust completely before applying protective paint. If not, the rust will continue to spread.
3. Cracks in concrete
Concrete or stone balconies are prone to cracks and crumbling. Large cracks indicate structural issues, which can be dangerous. Immediately seek the help of a professional in this case.
For minor or superficial cracks, a cement-based patching compound or masonry crack filler fixes the thin cracks quickly. Crack-fill pastes are readily available in the market. Apply it along the length of the crack.
Concrete or stone balconies are prone to cracks and crumbling. Large cracks indicate structural issues, which can be dangerous. Immediately seek the help of a professional in this case.
For minor or superficial cracks, a cement-based patching compound or masonry crack filler fixes the thin cracks quickly. Crack-fill pastes are readily available in the market. Apply it along the length of the crack.
Another option is concrete patching, using a premixed polymer concrete patching compound. It helps fix concrete damage, improve appearance and remove any hazards. Apply concrete patching compound as per the manufacturer’s instructions, using a putty knife or trowel for applying. Then, apply firm pressure on the cracks so the compound can penetrate all nooks and crannies. Let it dry.
Tip: The repair material is likely to differ in colour from the balcony. Paint with textured concrete coating for an even look.
Consult with a professional about buttressing your balcony
Tip: The repair material is likely to differ in colour from the balcony. Paint with textured concrete coating for an even look.
Consult with a professional about buttressing your balcony
4. Furniture placement
Placing balcony furniture too close to the railing puts your children and pets at risk. They may try to climb on it and lean over. A safer alternative here would be to raise the railing height so you can make the most of precious space at a premium. This can be done using various materials such as concrete, metal, fibreglass or even wooden slats, which also double as a design element. Even if you place the furniture close to the balustrades, the extended height safeguards the little ones.
Tip: Go for a concrete or metal latticed screen which lets in light and allows ventilation while maximising safety, as seen in the photo here.
Placing balcony furniture too close to the railing puts your children and pets at risk. They may try to climb on it and lean over. A safer alternative here would be to raise the railing height so you can make the most of precious space at a premium. This can be done using various materials such as concrete, metal, fibreglass or even wooden slats, which also double as a design element. Even if you place the furniture close to the balustrades, the extended height safeguards the little ones.
Tip: Go for a concrete or metal latticed screen which lets in light and allows ventilation while maximising safety, as seen in the photo here.
5. Know balcony capacity
A clever way to extend the balcony without making structural changes is with metal grilles. It gives extra space to hang pots, plants or even lights. However, these spaces have a limited load capacity and are not meant for standing. Connect with certified structural engineers to install extra support or columns like steel cable to minimise safety hazards.
Tip: Check with the local municipality or regulatory authorities before going ahead with plans to extend the balcony.
Reclaim Balcony Space & Increase Indoor Area Without Building Walls
A clever way to extend the balcony without making structural changes is with metal grilles. It gives extra space to hang pots, plants or even lights. However, these spaces have a limited load capacity and are not meant for standing. Connect with certified structural engineers to install extra support or columns like steel cable to minimise safety hazards.
Tip: Check with the local municipality or regulatory authorities before going ahead with plans to extend the balcony.
Reclaim Balcony Space & Increase Indoor Area Without Building Walls
6. Wide gaps in the railing
Large gaps in the balcony grilles (or staircase railings) are hazardous because small children or pets can easily slip through them. According to the National Building Code of India, the height of parapet walls and handrails on the edges of the roof terrace, balcony and such places should not be less than 40 inches or more than 60 inches (approximately) in height. Ensure that the gap between each railing is not more than 4 inches, to prevent small children or pets from slipping through. If your balcony doesn’t adhere to the above, here’s how you can fix it:
a. Add slats or grilles
Put additional vertical or horizontal slats and spindles to cover the gap between railings. Seek professional help to install grilles to cover the balconies and prevent risks of accidents/falls. Grilles also secure the balcony from external security threats such as burglars.
Large gaps in the balcony grilles (or staircase railings) are hazardous because small children or pets can easily slip through them. According to the National Building Code of India, the height of parapet walls and handrails on the edges of the roof terrace, balcony and such places should not be less than 40 inches or more than 60 inches (approximately) in height. Ensure that the gap between each railing is not more than 4 inches, to prevent small children or pets from slipping through. If your balcony doesn’t adhere to the above, here’s how you can fix it:
a. Add slats or grilles
Put additional vertical or horizontal slats and spindles to cover the gap between railings. Seek professional help to install grilles to cover the balconies and prevent risks of accidents/falls. Grilles also secure the balcony from external security threats such as burglars.
b. Wire or plastic mesh
Sometimes the railing has a grille with gaps just large enough for a portion of the body to go partly through and get stuck. Install wire mesh across the railing of the balcony to prevent entrapment and falls. Both materials add to the aesthetic appeal of the balcony and are long-lasting.
Sometimes the railing has a grille with gaps just large enough for a portion of the body to go partly through and get stuck. Install wire mesh across the railing of the balcony to prevent entrapment and falls. Both materials add to the aesthetic appeal of the balcony and are long-lasting.
c. Plexiglass
Transparent and durable, plexiglass helps install a barrier without interrupting the line of sight. It shields the balcony from rain and wind so you can set up a cosy seating with an indoor–outdoor connect.
Read more:
How to Turn Your Outdoor Space Into a Super Comfy Lounge
5 Clever Balcony Design Solutions to Make the Most of the Monsoon
Tell us:
Which of these ideas have you incorporated to optimise the safety of your balcony? Tell us in Comments below.
Transparent and durable, plexiglass helps install a barrier without interrupting the line of sight. It shields the balcony from rain and wind so you can set up a cosy seating with an indoor–outdoor connect.
Read more:
How to Turn Your Outdoor Space Into a Super Comfy Lounge
5 Clever Balcony Design Solutions to Make the Most of the Monsoon
Tell us:
Which of these ideas have you incorporated to optimise the safety of your balcony? Tell us in Comments below.
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As a general rule, periodically check the balcony railing, balustrade and floor brackets. You can do this by holding the balustrade or railing and giving it a firm shake. If the railing seems shaky or wobbly, check for missing or loose screws. Using a screwdriver, tighten the brackets of the loose balusters (vertical bars of the railing) back into the wall and floor with a screwdriver. If the screw is damaged, corroded or missing, replace it with a new one.
Tip: If you cannot fix it yourself, keep the balcony off bounds till a professional comes and does the required repairs.