A loggia is a covered outdoor space that sits entirely within the outline of the building: the floor, the ceiling and at least two side walls are part of the structure, and the front is open or glazed. Unlike a balcony, a loggia does not project outwards but is recessed into the building volume.
The term comes from Italian architecture, where a loggia was originally an open colonnaded gallery on a palace or town hall. In modern housing it is mainly the standard outdoor space of an apartment.
Loggia, balcony or conservatory
| Type | Position | Roof | Walls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balcony | Projects from the facade | Usually none | Railing only |
| Loggia | Within the volume | Yes, the floor above | Two or three closed sides |
| Conservatory | Extension | Yes | Fully enclosed and heated |
Construction points
- Cold bridge — the loggia floor is often the continuing floor slab of the dwelling. Without a thermal break (structural thermal break unit or insulation all round) you get a cold bridge that can cause condensation and mould in the room below
- Fall and drainage — the floor needs a fall towards the outside or towards a drain; allow roughly 1 to 2 per cent (1 to 2 cm per metre). A blocked drain in an enclosed loggia means water inside the dwelling
- Waterproofing — because three sides are closed, the waterproof layer must be turned up at the wall by at least around 10 to 15 cm
- Threshold height — keep enough of a step between outside and inside level, or place a channel with a grating in front of the door
Enclosing a loggia
Glazing a loggia with sliding glass panels or a fixed screen is popular, but be aware:
- It changes the facade and adds usable floor area, so it almost always needs planning permission or building control approval. Check with your local authority first
- In a block of flats you also need the consent of the owners’ association or freeholder; the facade is usually communal
- An enclosed loggia without ventilation quickly climbs well above 40 degrees in summer and mists up in winter
Related terms
- Balcony
- Gallery
- Arcade
- Facade
- Overhang
- Window frame
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