Loft conversion-window vs Juliet balcony

[Deepsydiver]

Hi, we are in the process of getting our loft converted and I can't decide whether to go with window or Juliet balcony?

I know that having a window would mean an ideal place for radiator, but what about light- would Juliet balcony be better?

Anyone been in this situation and can help me make up my mind?

Thanks

[Huggers]

we have a Juliet balcony which is lovely for the light. but It does rob you of a whole wall. we can really feel the wind too and in the winter it gets a bit cold. It looks spectacular though.

[Deepsydiver]

Thanks so much for responding. Do you have one room or two rooms? We are going with one with a view to put up a stud wall if needed in future.

[Huggers]

we have one big room, it is now our bedroom. Our bathroom- which is big enough to have a bath in it- is built under the slanting part of the roof with the velux window. Under the other slant we have fitted cupboards and a space for dressing table, filing cabinet and access to storage part of eaves. A lot of plans we saw had the bathroom over the stairs which felt a bit claustrophobic. I will try and upload some pics for you.

[Deepsydiver]

Ah, that's interesting as we are planning to have the bathroom in the dormer bit so we could have a big shower. We are going to have one room too and make that our bedroom once the kids are a bit older and can be left on their own on a separate floor. Thanks again.

[Jeremy]

Lack of light is rarely a problem in loft conversions. I find the whole "juliet balcony" arrangement quite strange... why have a door which doesn't lead anywhere? Would much rather have a window, and you can put a radiator/draws/table underneath it.

[Huggers]

this is true. I don't think I would have one if I was dividing the room into two. my pics are too big at the mo, will try and reduce them.

[Deepsydiver]

Thank you both. The builder is of the same opinion why have a door that doesn't lead anywhere. Look forward to the pics, Huggers.

[DirtyBox]

We had a juliet balcony put in and it's great but we get sun in the morning from the Velux windows at the front and from the french doors at the back in the evening, without I think it would be a little gloomy in the afternoons/evening. I suppose it depends on your house's orientation. We didn't find the lack of wall space a problem as the room ended up being pretty big, probably depends what furniture you want to put in there.

[Earl Aelfheah]

We have a juliet balcony. Must admit, I didn't' give it much thought at the time, but actually a window would have given us a lot more options in terms of furniture layout. I'm not sure you really need a blacony - the velux windows ensure a light room.

[Deepsydiver]

Thanks DirtyBox. We would be in the same boat re light like you. We are not planning to have to much furniture-bed,desk, wardrobe/built in cupboard and perhaps a sofa bed (space permitting). Are the radiators either side of the Juliet balcony/French doors?

[Huggers]

it is nice on a rare hot day to open them wide so you feel you don't even have a fourth wall. our radiator is on the opposite wall, the one that separates the room from the bathroom.

[Huggers]

here you go! very untidy, but the radiator is under the pink towel.

[DirtyBox]

our radiator is on the wall between the room and hallway, to be honest it's rarely on because the loft is so well insulated so it's quite small amyway

[Yak]

We're just starting our conversion and are going for the biggest picture window we can afford. Personally I never really "got" the point of a juilet balcony. But that is also I am lazy and didn't fancy having to clean anything on the outside, and wanted the flexibility of putting stuff below the window.

[Deepsydiver]

Thank you all. As per previous posts am trying to work out where the furniture is going to go so we can work around it to see what would work. Really appreciate your responses. Thank you Huggers for the pics, very helpful.

[*Bob*]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Lack of light is rarely a problem in loft

> conversions. I find the whole "juliet balcony"

> arrangement quite strange... why have a door which

> doesn't lead anywhere? Would much rather have a

> window, and you can put a radiator/draws/table

> underneath it.

But Jeremy, how will you do your yoga - bathed from head to toe in warm sunlight - without a floor to ceiling opening?

Looking at a radiator is not good for your chakras.

[dukesdenver]

The bedroom in my previous flat had a Juliet balcony and I hated it. Even on the 2nd floor I didn't feel safe leaving balcony doors open during the night in hot weather. Also if you leave inward-opening doors open and it rains heavily your floor will get soaked.

[fortified]

What were you afraid would happen, dukes?

[Huggers]

Vampyre!

[dukesdenver]

Oh, you know, those acrobats-turned-burglars you hear so much about.

(To be fair it was adjacent to a flat roof, so my fears weren't completely ridiculous.)

[Revivehomesolution]

We are in the process of getting drawings for our loft conversion. We have gone for window in the dormer, but a double " velux cabrio window" in the front. Check them out, they allow loads of light and really open the slope of the eves up.

[Deepsydiver]

Thanks. We are half way through the construction now. We have gone a Juliet balcony with windows on either side. When it rains we can have the windows open (top hung and open out). We have 2 massive 'panoramic' windows on the sloping side. So plenty of light and cross wind. Went up the builder ladder to check how it was all progressing. Can't wait as it's going to be a awesome room with a view.