The Grenfell Tower tragedy was a catalyst in the industry for significant change. Not only were regulations introduced that banned combustible cladding from residential buildings above 18m, but the same was also done for balcony flooring, too. This means that when you’re sourcing flooring for outdoor decking...
Composite decking is becoming one of the most common materials used on balcony flooring and other external projects, and for good reason.
Not only does it provide a timber aesthetic that is highly sought after by architects, specifiers and end-users alike, it also has a host of features to stand it apart from alternatives on the market
Whether you’re looking at technology, cars, or even outdoor balcony decking, the same always applies. You want to get it right.
Making the right choice from the get-go means you can move on to the next project without any concern.
Composite decking is becoming a much more universal choice for architects and specifiers looking for a non-combustible balcony decking option. However, it’s not as simple as selecting composite decking, there are varying levels on the market which could affect your project and its fire rating.
The options available for non-combustible balcony decking are increasingly wider as manufacturers focus their attention on producing A-rated external flooring products.
With choices ranging from aluminium decking to porcelain, stone, and everything in between, it can be easy to stick to what you know.
Despite this though, one material continuing to make an impression on the industry is composites. Providing a non-combustible alternative to timber, it’s becoming a common choice for specifiers and end-users alike.
Timber is one of the most sought-after materials when it comes to balcony flooring, but for obvious reasons, it isn’t always suitable.
Highly combustible and requiring regular treatment to ensure longevity, architects and specifiers are using alternatives that not only meet the latest fire regulations but also give a similar aesthetic.
2022 is already upon us and you’ll be starting to think about your projects over the next year.
When you’re looking at balcony flooring, it’s fair to say that over the past couple of years, finding the perfect flooring materials has been more difficult. With fire safety regulations and tighter building legislation, you are now working with a reduced menu of materials to choose from.
Despite this, you can be assured that there are plenty of options available.
Metal decking might seem like an obvious choice when it comes to specifying for fire safety on an upcoming balcony flooring project, but it’s not always that simple.
Does it feel like you’re always answering questions about what the best balcony flooring options are?
While it’s common for specifiers and architects to have their ‘go to’ options - materials that really provide the best possible finish on their projects, there are countless others available.
If you’re a specifier looking for decking that looks like timber but that needs to achieve a Class A fire rating, either for a high-rise building’s balcony or terrace, then you might be struggling for choice.
Building regulations in the UK mandate that only non-combustible materials are to be used on residential buildings above 18m. As this includes balconies and other specified attachments, external flooring must therefore achieve a fire rating for Class A1 or A2.
A1 materials are completely non-combustible whereas A2 materials have limited combustibility. Both types are considered non-combustible and are permitted on external applications on buildings of any height.
Although you might not be able to specify timber or composite decking, there is now another option available to you other than aluminium decking.
With fire safety standards and building regulations constantly changing and updating, helping to increase the safety of high-rise buildings, it can be difficult for specifiers and architects to find balcony flooring options that are both attractive and class A-rated.
What’s more, with uncertainty surrounding legislation and whether the 18-metre height requirement will be reduced to 11-metres or lower, Class A-rated materials are becoming more common on all projects, as a means of best practice for the industry.
With this in mind, this blog helps you discover the variety of Class-A rated balcony flooring options available on the market.
Read on to find out more.