A French balcony—often called a Juliet balcony, balconette, or false balcony—is a type of architectural feature that gives you some of the benefits of a traditional balcony without actually providing a floor or platform to step out onto.
Rather than extending beyond the face of a building in the way a full balcony does, a French balcony is essentially a guard-rail or balustrade placed directly in front of large windows or doors, allowing them to open inward so that air and light can enter freely, but without providing space outside to stand or place furniture.
In short, a French balcony allows you to lean out, enjoy a view, improve ventilation and light, but it isn’t meant to be used as an external platform.
Key Features & Terminology
The term Juliet balcony (sometimes spelled “Juliette”) comes from theatre, particularly Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where Juliet is imagined speaking from a balcony. In fact, Shakespeare never explicitly mentions a balcony in the text but only a window. Over time, because many homes and buildings in Europe (especially France) adopted these kinds of window-balcony railings, the association stuck.
“Balconette” or “balconet” also appear, especially in architectural and design literature, to denote a small railing outside a large window or door, without a projecting floor.
A French balcony will usually consist of a large window or pair of doors (often floor-to-ceiling in modern homes or apartments) that can open inwards, and a protective barrier or railing immediately outside that window/door opening. This might be made of metal (e.g. steel, wrought iron), or glass, or another suitable material. Toughened safety glass is common in contemporary designs.
Benefits of a French Balcony
French balconies offer several practical and aesthetic advantages, which help explain why they are increasingly popular, especially in urban settings or in modern apartment design.
Because of their large doors or windows, French balconies allow more natural daylight to enter interior rooms. Opening the doors offers improved ventilation and a sense of openness. Even when outside space isn’t possible, the effect can make rooms feel larger and airier.
Since there is no external floor to build or support, no extending platform or joists, a French balcony is much simpler structurally and often cheaper than a full balcony. They also reduce planning and structural constraints.
French balconies offer visual appeal both from inside and from the exterior. From inside, they bring expansive views and better connection with the landscape or cityscape. From outside, a well-designed balustrade, especially in glass or fine metalwork, can enhance the façade of a building. They provide elegance, a touch of classic or modern style without the bulk or obstruction of a protruding balcony.
Because French balconies do not protrude, they often avoid some of the stricter planning permission requirements that apply to full balconies. In many cases they fall under “permitted development” in the UK, meaning that you may not need full planning consent, though building regulations still apply.
Regulations & Safety
In the UK, French (or Juliet) balconies are regulated under several legal and technical standards. They are covered under Part K of the Building Regulations, which addresses protection from falling. Balustrading in French balconies must satisfy height and load requirements, among others.
The British Standard BS 6180:2011 provides guidelines for barriers in buildings (including balconettes) – it defines minimal loading, spacing of infill, and other technical criteria.
One key parameter is the height of the guard or balustrade: in most cases the top of the barrier must be at least 1100 mm above the internal floor level when there is an opening that could pose a fall risk.
Any openings (e.g. between vertical bars or other infill) must be small enough that children cannot slip through. A common rule is that gaps should be no more than roughly 100 mm.
Materials used must be suitable for safe external exposure. Where glass is used it must be safety or toughened glass, often laminated, to guard against breakage. All fixings must be strong enough to resist the loads as per BS standards. Anchoring must be secure.
Fire risk associated with balconies (including projecting balconies or external structures) is well documented; even where there is no external platform, safety in construction and materials matters.
Whether you need planning permission depends on several factors: the location of the building, whether the building is listed or in a conservation area, whether the French balcony is unusual in that neighbourhood, and other local authority rules.
French Balcony vs Full Balcony
You cannot step out onto a French balcony. There is no platform, no space for chairs, plants or external furnishing. If you want somewhere to sit outside, a full balcony or terrace is required.
Because the balcony is essentially just a guard or balustrade, there is no extra floor area. While visually you might feel more space, physically you do not.
French balconies are especially attractive in dense urban housing, in flats/apartments, or in upper floors where extending outwards is restricted or difficult. They can also deliver better resale value, simply because they provide desirable features (light, style, air) without many of the costs of full balconies.
Usage & Applications
In cities where space is at a premium, French balconies are often used to enable large windows/doors that provide a sense of openness without encroaching on external space. Heritage buildings or conservation areas may restrict additions that project outward. In such cases, a French balcony offers a way to add visual appeal and light without large outward projections.
In cruise cabins, hotels, and similar settings, French balconies are used to give panoramic views and improve guest comfort. They are less expensive to build and maintain than full balconies, and safer in constrained designs.
Safety
Large openings with low or inadequate guard heights are the main concern. If a window opens wide but the balustrade is too low, or gaps are too large, there is risk of falls, especially for children. Building regulations aim to prevent this.
Using weak or inappropriate materials (non-safety glass, poor fixings, metals susceptible to corrosion, inadequate anchorage) can lead to failure over time. Maintenance is essential.
Because the term “balcony” suggests to some people that you can step out, misunderstandings arise. A French balcony is not designed to be used as a platform. People might lean out too far, or misuse it in ways that increase risk. Proper signage, clear communication, and safe design block such misuse.
A French balcony is a deceptively simple feature: a guard or balustrade placed in front of large windows or doors that open inward, giving a sense of light, openness and view without creating a space to step outside. For many homeowners, architects and developers, this makes it an attractive option—particularly in cities or constrained plots where a full balcony is not practical.
