The short answer
An add-on balcony is a balcony added to an existing building later. A free-standing balcony is one type of it: it stands on supports in front of the facade and carries its loads through the supports and foundations into the ground. The difference therefore lies mainly in how the balcony is supported and how much space and preparation is needed on the ground.
At NOVODACH the term add-on balcony is used as an umbrella term for steel balconies added later. Which structure is suitable for your building is clarified per project.
The terms in practice
The words are not used the same way everywhere. In many guides, add-on balcony more narrowly means a cantilevered balcony fixed to the building, while the free-standing balcony stands on its own supports in front of the house and is only lightly fixed to the facade. NOVODACH, by contrast, uses add-on balcony as an umbrella term for any balcony added later. In quotations, therefore, pay attention to which structure is meant, not just to the word.
The terms at a glance
| Feature | Add-on balcony (umbrella term) | Free-standing balcony |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Balcony added later to an existing building | Supported structure in front of the house |
| Load transfer | Depends on the structure; planned for your building | Through supports and foundations |
| Space needed on the ground | Depends on the structure | Supports and foundations need space in front of the building |
| Planning focus | Connections to the facade, foundations | Ground conditions, foundation positions, access |
| Permit | Clarify per project with the building authority | Clarify per project with the building authority |
What matters for the decision
- Plot and access. With a free-standing balcony, supports and foundations need room in front of the house. Driveways, paths and the use of the area under the balcony influence the planning.
- Ground conditions. Foundations are planned according to the ground and the loads. That is a job for professional planning, not for a blanket recommendation.
- Facade and connections. How the balcony is connected to the building depends on the existing structure and is professionally planned.
- Storeys. A balcony can be planned over one or several storeys. The requirements for structure and foundations rise with the number of storeys.
- Permit and verifications. Whether a permit is required and which verifications are needed depends on the location and project. More in our article Does an add-on balcony need a building permit?
And the costs?
A flat price difference cannot be stated responsibly: it depends on dimensions, storeys, flooring, railing, foundations and additional services. You see the price of your selection in the 3D configurator. Which items are in the price and which are clarified separately is explained on the page Add-on balcony costs.
Next step
Plan dimensions, storeys, flooring and railing in the 3D configurator and then clarify survey, connections and foundations for your building.
General information for orientation. It does not replace project-specific structural design, professional planning or legal advice.