A terrace and a balcony are great ways to expand living space and connect the inside with the outside. Both add visual interest to a property's exterior and maximize living space, allowing homeowners to enjoy the outdoors within easy reach of the comfort of their own home.
The two structures are often mistaken for each other, and while they have similar features, each has its own architectural characteristics and purpose, and there are significant differences between the two regarding location, size, and construction. Read on to find out how balconies and terraces differ, what the origins of each are, and how to make the best use of these outdoor spaces in your own home.
Key Characteristics
Terrace
Next to or on top of a building
Open, not enclosed
Large in size
Entrance is not through an indoor room
Often a public space, especially if located at the top of a building
Balcony
Attached to the side of a building
Enclosed by a low railing or wall
Usually small and narrow in size
Entrance is through an indoor room
A private space
What Is a Terrace?
A terrace is a paved or tiled outdoor area next to or at the top of a building. It's open, flat, and (when not located on a rooftop), it's slightly raised. The word terrace originates in 16th-century Old French and Latin, in which the word "terra" means earth.
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Location
A terrace is an outdoor area located next to or sometimes at the top of a building. Unlike a balcony, it is not necessarily attached to a building and can be completely free-standing. It's an open space that's usually only slightly raised, and because it's not physically connected to a building (unless it's a rooftop terrace), it doesn't need to be entered through a room inside the house.
Size
Much larger than a balcony, a terrace can span almost the entire surface of a rooftop when located at the top of a building, and it's often used as a garden or an entertaining space. In a busy city, it's an excellent opportunity to build a quiet oasis that feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets.
Terraces located next to a house also tend to be large. They're slightly elevated and provide generous outdoor living space for homeowners, perfect for entertaining or relaxing outside while the weather is nice. They can also be valuable when selling a home, mainly when private outdoor space is tough to find.
Architecture
Often an entirely free-standing construction, a terrace is built from the ground up and finished with a paved, tiled, or wood-planked surface. If using wood, it's essential to use a moisture-resistant type that's been treated for the outdoors so that the terrace remains in good shape and looks new for years.
Popular terrace design ideas include turning outdoor areas into usable seating areas for relaxation, including shaded areas. Terraces can consist of plant arrangements, outdoor decor, and lighting options, all wonderful for entertaining.
What Is a Porch?
What Is a Balcony?
A balcony is a raised outdoor platform attached to the side of a building and enclosed by a low railing, accessible from an upper floor and designed to extend living space past the indoors. The word balcony comes from the Old Italian word "balcone" and dates back to the 17th century; one of the most famous balconies in the world is Juliet's balcony (of "Romeo and Juliet" fame) in Verona, Italy.
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Location
A balcony is a raised outdoor platform attached to the side of a building and enclosed by a low railing or wall. It is usually accessible through an upper floor and generally only has one access point, such as a door.
Size
Balconies tend to be long and narrow and much smaller than a terrace. The balcony size also varies depending on whether it is attached to an apartment building or a house, the latter usually larger. Generally, a balcony is at least four feet deep, making it an ideal space for a small-sized outdoor bistro set to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, a place to grow and display herbs and tomatoes, or a spot for your exercise mat to get in a yoga session in the fresh air.
Architecture
If you've ever wondered how balconies are built and how they manage to stay in the air, the hidden structural support comes from joists added to the existing building's beams. They are fastened together to secure the structure and support the balcony's weight.
Terrace vs. Balcony
Terraces are usable outdoor spaces designed for the side of a home or roof of a building, while balconies are elevated platforms that jut out from a room. Both are exterior structures.
Terraces and balconies are common features in various styles of homes, but iconic examples of each immediately come to mind. Perhaps the most famous of all balconies, Juliet's balcony in Verona is so iconic that it inspired a namesake structure, the Juliet balcony: a particularly narrow balcony that's often only inches deep but adds a feeling of openness and light as well as aesthetic charm, thanks to a very ornate railing.
Similarly, rooftop terraces, such as the one at the top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, represent the structure; a large open space offering spectacular views and an oasis above a crowded city. Unsurprisingly, balconies and terraces continue to be a popular feature in private homes and public buildings, given that they do exactly what they were designed to do: extend and maximize living space and connect often-small indoor spaces with the openness of the outdoors.
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