Many roof terrace defects don’t originate on site – they begin much earlier, at design stage.
Across UK construction, terraces above occupied space are commonly detailed using penetrative fixing methods, where structural elements pass through the waterproofing layer. While these approaches can perform at installation stage, they introduce interfaces that rely on long-term performance of sealants and detailing systems.
Over time, movement, loading and environmental exposure place stress on these interfaces. Because the waterproofing layer is concealed beneath finishes, early-stage deterioration often goes unnoticed until water ingress becomes visible internally.
This delay between cause and effect is one of the reasons roof terrace defects can be complex and costly to resolve.
Systems such as BalcoDeck®, developed by Balconette, take a different approach – allowing structural loads to be supported above the waterproofing layer rather than through it, helping to reduce reliance on penetrations and improve long-term performance.
Read the full article on Balconette here.
