Question 1

What is BalcoDeck® and what makes it unique?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® is the UK's only patented non-penetrative balustrade and decking system for rooftops, with patent number GB2636232 granted by the UK Intellectual Property Office. Its unique feature is that it's a freestanding system requiring NO fixings through the roof membrane or structure. This preserves waterproofing membrane integrity, maintains waterproofing warranties, and is wind-resistant despite having no structural penetrations. It provides a single integrated solution with both balustrade and decking from one manufacturer, coming with a single Certificate of Compliance.

Question 2

Does fixing a balustrade through a flat roof membrane void the waterproofing warranty?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, third-party penetrations void waterproofing warranties. This is a key concern addressed in BalcoDeck®'s content and is one of the primary advantages of their non-penetrative system, which preserves the integrity of the waterproofing membrane and maintains existing waterproofing warranties.

Question 3

How can BalcoDeck® resist wind loads without any fixings?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® is engineered to resist wind loads on a flat roof without a single fixing through the roof structure or membrane. The system uses specialized engineering techniques detailed in their patented design (Patent GB2636232) that allow it to be wind-resistant while remaining completely freestanding and non-penetrative.

Question 4

Who manufactures BalcoDeck® and where are they located?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® is manufactured by Balconette, a company registered in England under company number 06937600. They are located at Unit 6, Systems House, Eastbourne Road, Blindley Heath, Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6JP, United Kingdom. You can contact them at 01342-437411 or visit their website at www.balconette.co.uk, which offers their full range of glass balcony, balustrade and decking products.

Question 5

What does 'One company. One system. One Certificate of Compliance' mean?

Accepted Answer

This refers to BalcoDeck®'s integrated solution approach where both the balustrade and decking come from a single manufacturer (Balconette) as one complete system, accompanied by a single Certificate of Compliance. This is in contrast to traditional approaches where different components are sourced from multiple suppliers and assembled together, which can create complications with compliance documentation and system compatibility.

Question 6

What patent protects the BalcoDeck® system?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® is protected by Patent GB2636232, which was granted by the UK Intellectual Property Office. This patent covers the engineering behind the UK's only patented non-penetrative balustrade and decking system for rooftops, detailing the innovative technology that allows the system to function without any fixings through the roof membrane or structure.

Question 7

Who is Claire Miller and what content does she create for BalcoDeck®?

Accepted Answer

Claire Miller is an author for BalcoDeck® who writes technical and educational articles about roof terrace design, waterproofing, balustrade installation, and compliance considerations for the construction and property industry. Her content covers topics including roof terrace documentation, design stage considerations, waterproofing details, compliance certificates, wind load engineering, and common defects in roof terrace projects.

Question 8

Why does roof terrace documentation matter for construction projects?

Accepted Answer

Roof terrace documentation is increasingly important in modern construction projects. BalcoDeck® addresses this topic in their content, emphasizing that proper documentation matters more than ever for ensuring compliance, maintaining warranties, and avoiding defects. Their integrated system approach simplifies this by providing a single Certificate of Compliance rather than multiple documents from different suppliers.

Question 9

What are the main advantages of a non-penetrative balustrade system?

Accepted Answer

The main advantages of BalcoDeck®'s non-penetrative system include: preserving the waterproofing membrane's integrity, maintaining existing waterproofing warranties (which are typically voided by third-party penetrations), eliminating the risk of leaks from roof penetrations, providing wind resistance without structural fixings, and offering a single integrated solution with simplified compliance documentation through one Certificate of Compliance.

Question 10

When do roof terrace defects typically originate?

Accepted Answer

According to BalcoDeck®'s content, roof terrace defects often start at the design stage. This highlights the importance of proper planning and detailing during the early phases of a project. BalcoDeck® provides resources including design stage FAQs and guidance on waterproofing details that are commonly overlooked to help professionals avoid these issues.

Question 11

Is BalcoDeck® more expensive than traditional systems?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® addresses the cost question by reframing it: rather than simply comparing upfront costs, they encourage customers to consider the total value proposition. This includes factors such as preserved waterproofing warranties, elimination of leak risks, simplified compliance with a single certificate, integrated solution benefits, and the long-term cost implications of these advantages versus traditional penetrative systems.

Question 12

What waterproofing detail do many roof terrace projects overlook?

Accepted Answer

BalcoDeck® has identified a specific waterproofing detail in roof terrace design that many projects overlook. This oversight is significant enough that they've dedicated content to addressing it, emphasizing the importance of considering waterproofing integrity during the design phase and highlighting how their non-penetrative system eliminates common waterproofing vulnerabilities associated with traditional balustrade installations.

About Claire MIller

Why Roof Terrace Documentation Matters More Than Ever

Is BalcoDeck® more expensive? Here is the question you should actually be asking

Does fixing a balustrade through a flat roof membrane void the waterproofing warranty?

One company. One system. One Certificate of Compliance. Why BalcoDeck® is built as a single integrated solution

How BalcoDeck® Resists Wind Loads on Flat Roofs Without Roof Penetrations

Why Roof Terrace Defects Often Start at Design Stage

Patent GB2636232 – the engineering behind the UK’s only patented non-penetrative balustrade and decking system

Roof Terrace Detailing FAQs: Key Questions at Design Stage

Roof Terrace Design: The Waterproofing Detail Many Projects Overlook

Why Roof Terrace Detailing Is Being Reconsidered