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Expert: - 5/4/2011


Question
what is the difference between deck and balcony?

Answer
Glenn - thanks for your question!  Generally, a deck is any horizontal surface intended to be used by people for walking, entertaining, etc.  It can be on the ground, on a roof, inside a building, or any number of other places.  A deck is often open on several sides.

A balcony is a form of a deck, but it is one that is typically only open on one or two sides (imagine the Pope's doors opening onto a small balcony overlooking St. Peter's square).

Balconies are often cantilevered - in other words it "hangs out" over a wall, or a beam, or roof, etc.  It can also be directly supported from below - like the second-floor balconies on the front of building in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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