Technical Insights
Practical advice, specification guidance and technical articles for architects, contractors and developers designing roof terraces and balconies.
BalcoDeck and building control: what the structural calculation covers and how to use it
Building control approval for a roof terrace balustrade is an assessment of structural performance — not a prescription of fixing method. Approved Document K and BS 6180 specify [...]
How BalcoDeck satisfies structural assessment on load requirements – without a single anchor fixing
The structural question that structural engineers ask when they first encounter BalcoDeck is the right one: if there are no anchor fixings into the [...]
BalcoDeck and the rooftop opportunity: activating unused flat roofs without touching the waterproofing
Unused flat roofs - activating without touching the waterproofing The UK has a significant stock of flat-roofed residential and commercial buildings where an unused [...]
What does a BalcoDeck installation mean for your mortgage valuation?
When a property with a flat roof terrace goes to mortgage, valuers and lenders are increasingly asking a specific question: is there documentation confirming [...]
Why Non-Penetrative Design Improves Thermal Performance
As building fabric performance standards continue to evolve, architects are paying closer attention to thermal bridges, thermal performance and heat loss pathways throughout the building envelope. Traditionally, most [...]
The Golden Thread Starts With Design Decisions
The term "golden thread" is now firmly established within the construction industry. Yet many discussions focus on documentation after construction rather than the decisions that create those records [...]
The Roof Terrace Build Coordination Problem Nobody Owns
Most roof terrace problems do not originate from a single design decision. They occur at the point where different disciplines meet. Structural engineers, architects, waterproofing contractors and balustrade [...]
Why Roof Terrace Documentation Matters More Than Ever
Modern roof terrace projects involve more documentation than ever before. Architects, developers, building control officers, warranty providers and insurers increasingly expect clear evidence that systems have been designed, [...]
Is BalcoDeck® more expensive? Here is the question you should actually be asking
The conversation about BalcoDeck® often starts with cost. It is the wrong starting point. The right question is not what BalcoDeck® costs. It is what a penetrative installation [...]
