Endurance and life cycle
Lifespan of Balconies:
Building structures should last around an average of 60-years, but they are anticipated to last longer. Some structural elements of the buildings are exposed to different weather conditions and are not protected by the façade. One of the few structural elements exposed to weathering is balconies. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the lifespan of the balconies in the building as they reach the end of their design life.
A balcony’s lifespans depend on maintenance and mid-life replacement.
The BS7543 guides the durability of the predicated service and design life of buildings and their functional components. In this guidance, most external cladding, windows and doors are categorised as ‘maintainable’. On the other hand, the foundation and the structural elements are specified as ‘lifelong’.
Balcony Maintenance
Here are two different ways in which you could regularly maintain your balcony:
- The drip trays and gutters in the balconies must be regularly cleaned to ensure no dirt or debris is collected, causing water to back up.
- If issues occur due to local deterioration or any damage to PPC, they must be addressed quickly, from accessing equipment to abseiling to prevent spreading.
Replacement of Balcony Parts to extended Balcony Lifespans
Every element in the building typically goes through a refurbishment or an upgrade during its service. It is to enhance the performance of the old products and increase their lifespan. If Cassette balconies had to be included, then here are a few considerations that would extend their lifespan:
- Glass Damage or Delamination: It depends on the level of the damage; they can be replaced as individual panels. If several panels are damaged, the balcony can be lifted to ground level and then once the work is done, they can be glided back to their arms.
- Decking: In-situ, where existing boards are cut to shorter lengths to get it up to the building and through the apartment. Individual decks can be removed using WPC clipped decking systems without removing standard decking screws.
- PPC: The replacement strategy occurs depending upon the environmental damage. For minor damage, we can use in-situ, whereas for widespread damage, the balconies can be brought to ground level, and once the individual components are replaced, they can be glided back to their arms.
- Crevice Corrosion of Fixings: Replacement of fixings used for critical components must be considered for replacement.
End of Life
Aluminium is one of the easiest metals to recycle. According to Council for the Aluminium in Building, the recycling rate of architectural Aluminium is between 92 – 98%. WPC, the other key component in the decking boards, are easily recycled. Recycling the balconies needs to be disassembled, which is just as quick and easy as installing a balcony.
Lifespan of Balconies
Building structures should last around an average 60-year lifespan, which is anticipated to last longer. Some structural elements of the buildings are exposed to different weather conditions and are not protected by the façade.
One of the few structural elements exposed to weathering is balconies. Therefore, careful consideration must be given when the balconies in the building reach the end of their design life.
A balcony’s lifespans depend on maintenance and mid-life replacement.
The BS7543 guides the durability of the predicated service and design life of buildings and their functional components. In this guidance, most external cladding, windows and doors are categorised as ‘maintainable’. On the other hand, the foundation and the structural elements are specified as ‘lifelong’.
Balcony Maintenance
Here are two different ways in which you could regularly maintain your balcony:
- The drip trays and gutters in the balconies must be regularly cleaned to ensure no dirt or debris is collected, causing water to back up.
- If issues occur due to local deterioration or any damage to PPC, they must be addressed quickly, from accessing equipment to abseiling to prevent spreading.
Replacement of Balcony Parts to extended Balcony Lifespans
Every element in the building typically goes through a refurbishment or an upgrade during its service. It is to enhance the performance of the old products and increase their lifespan. If Cassette balconies had to be included, then here are a few considerations that would extend their lifespan:
- Glass Damage or Delamination: It depends on the level of the damage; they can be replaced as individual panels. If several panels are damaged, the balcony can be lifted to ground level and then once the work is done, they can be glided back to their arms.
- Decking: In-situ, where existing boards are cut to shorter lengths to get it up to the building and through the apartment. Individual decks can be removed using WPC clipped decking systems without removing standard decking screws.
- PPC: The replacement strategy occurs depending upon the environmental damage. For minor damage, we can use in-situ, whereas for widespread damage, the balconies can be brought to ground level, and once the individual components are replaced, they can be glided back to their arms.
- Crevice Corrosion of Fixings: Replacement of fixings used for critical components must be considered for replacement.
End of Life
Aluminium is one of the easiest metals to recycle. According to Council for the Aluminium in Building, the recycling rate of architectural Aluminium is between 92 – 98%. WPC, the other key component in the decking boards, are easily recycled. Recycling the balconies needs to be disassembled, which is just as quick and easy as installing a balcony.
