L-Shaped Balcony - How to Set It Up?

Corner balcony - beautiful but challenging

L-shaped balconies - corner units wrapping around two sides of a building - are among the most attractive spaces in any apartment. They offer more square metres, more interesting perspectives, and greater design possibilities.

The problem? Most installation companies treat them like standard rectangles, cutting panels "by eye" with a hand saw. The results are often disappointing - uneven edges, oversized gaps at the walls, and poorly fitted corners.

At BalkonSetup we approach this differently.

Anatomy of an L-shaped balcony

An L-shaped balcony is essentially a hexagon - it has 6 sides, not 4. In our system we label them:

• A - left height (full length)
• B - top width (shorter section)
• C - cutout depth (difference between the left and right side)
• D - cutout width
• E - right height (A minus C)
• F - bottom width (B plus D)

Each of these dimensions must be measured with millimetre accuracy, because they determine the joist layout, panel cutting, and the final look of the floor.

Why is a traditional measurement not enough?

On an L-shaped balcony, a tape measure simply will not cut it. Why?

• Walls are not parallel - a 1 - 2 cm difference over 3 metres is standard in construction
• Angles are not 90 degrees - the balcony corner is rarely perfectly square
• Thresholds and drains - balcony doors, drain grates, pipes - every obstacle adds an extra contour to account for
• Six sides - with 6 measurements, errors compound, leading to poorly fitting panels

That is why we use a LiDAR scanner, which creates a precise three-dimensional model of the balcony in just a few minutes. Accuracy: down to the millimetre.

Two installation zones

The key decision with an L-shaped balcony is dividing it into installation zones. Our simulator automatically splits the balcony into two zones:

Left zone

Covers the longer section of the balcony - from one edge to the bend point. Panels run in one direction, with joists placed perpendicular to them.

Right zone

Covers the shorter section - from the bend point to the other edge. Panels continue in the same direction but may have a different target length (to optimise waste).

Between the zones we leave an expansion gap - it allows independent thermal movement in both sections and visually separates the zones.

Joists on an L-shaped balcony - a complex layout

On a rectangular balcony, joists are simple, parallel lines. On an L-shaped balcony, things get more complicated:

• Joists in the left zone - standard layout, full length
• Joists in the right zone - shorter, as this zone is narrower
• Joists at the corner - must be precisely trimmed to the L-shape contour
• Spacing - may differ between zones for optimal support

Our simulator automatically calculates the optimal joist layout for both zones, accounting for edge margins and the bend point.

Panel cutting - CNC precision

On an L-shaped balcony, panels require various types of cuts:

1. Edge trims - the first and last row in each zone are narrower (for aesthetic alignment)
2. Longitudinal trims - panels in the last row of one zone end at the cutout
3. Corner trims - panels near the bend point require bevels or angled cuts

Hand-cutting with a saw produces errors of 2 - 5 mm and uneven edges. Our CNC router cuts with an accuracy of 0.1 mm - every panel fits perfectly.

Stagger pattern on an L-shaped balcony

Stagger is the offset of panel joints between rows - like a hardwood floor in your home. On an L-shaped balcony, we apply it independently in each zone:

• Joints do not align between adjacent rows
• The visual effect is more natural, like real wood
• The structure is more stable - loads are distributed evenly

Designing a corner balcony

An L-shaped balcony opens up exciting design possibilities. The two zones naturally lend themselves to:

• Relaxation corner - armchair, side table, plants
• Green corner - planters, herbs, a mini garden
• Dining zone + lounge - a table on one side, a hammock on the other

Composite flooring adds warmth and makes the balcony feel like a natural extension of the living room - regardless of its shape.

How much does an L-shaped balcony floor cost?

An L-shaped balcony is more expensive than a rectangle of comparable area - mainly due to:

• More cutting (= slightly more waste)
• More clips (two independent zones)
• Longer installation time

The difference is typically 10 - 15% compared to a rectangle of the same area. You will find out the exact price after a free measurement.

Summary

An L-shaped balcony is not a problem - it is an opportunity for a unique space. The key is precise measurement (LiDAR, not tape) and computer-controlled cutting (CNC, not a hand saw). At BalkonSetup we combine both so that every balcony - regardless of shape - looks perfect.