What’s the Difference Between a Balcony and a Loggia?
The difference between a balcony and a loggia is often misunderstood, yet both offer valuable outdoor space for apartments. While they can add charm and increase property value for rental or resale, these two features differ significantly in structure and function. Let’s break down what sets them apart.
What Is A Balcony?
Let’s start by defining the balcony! The word balcony comes from the Italian balcony which means “room in height”. And indeed, architecturally, the balcony is a platform attached to the exterior wall of a building and accessible from the apartment to which it belongs. The balcony is surrounded by a railing, a railing, or a balustrade. It can be on any floor (except the ground floor).
What are the advantages of the balcony?
- An exterior: you can enjoy a small exterior even when living in an apartment to eat in the open air, to garden, to enjoy the sun.
- A beautiful luminosity: the bay windows separating the balcony and accommodation bring light into your home.
- A charming asset in the event of a sale or purchase: an apartment with a balcony is always more attractive than an apartment with no outdoor space!
What Is A Loggia?
The word loggia also comes from Italian: generally located upstairs, the loggia is a necessarily covered outdoor space, set back from the main facade. It can also be closed by bay windows. The loggia is halfway between a classic balcony and a veranda: it is a partitioned outdoor space.
- A protected exterior: whatever the weather, you can enjoy your exterior! The loggia protects you from the rain but also from the wind and the sun.
- More light in your home: even if it is partially closed, the loggia allows more natural light to enter your home.
- An extra room: the loggia is often considered a room in its own right. You can install an office, a dining room, a living room, or even a splendid winter garden. These rooms will have the advantage of being very bright. In reality, the loggia can easily accommodate all your desires.
- An enhancement of the accommodation in the event of sale or purchase: the loggia will not fail to be a great asset, tenants and buyers will like to project themselves into this room as well
To conclude, what to choose: a balcony or a loggia?
So which to prefer? Balcony or loggia? The choice will depend on your expectations: the balcony is the outdoor relaxation space par excellence, and the loggia, while also offering an opening to the outside, takes on more practical functions.