Aluminium and metal fabricators

Aluminium is a popular choice among balcony fabricators and specifiers. It’s highly durable yet lightweight, and simple and easy to maintain. 

It complies with building regulations. In recent years, changing building regulations and legislation, like the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, have highlighted the advantages of using aluminium over traditional decking materials, like timber. Unlike timber, aluminium won’t rot, warp, or splinter. Aluminium isn’t prone to rust, either, making it a more favourable choice than steel, which requires regular treatment to prevent rust and maintain its condition. 

Aluminium is also infinitely recyclable. The amount of energy used in the aluminium recycling process is a fraction of that used in its primary production. So the material has a lower carbon footprint than other materials, making it a more sustainable choice.

It achieves the highest fire ratings under European standards. Materials used for balconies, walkways, and terraces on high-rise buildings need to comply with fire ratings such as a Euroclass A1 or A2 and BS 8579:2020. BS 8579:2020 is the ‘Guide to the design of balconies and terraces’ and provides information for standardised and optimum balcony and terrace designing, setting a benchmark for design quality. 

In a nutshell, aluminium is a highly durable and non-combustible material that boasts strength and low levels of maintenance, making it a popular choice for balcony construction. For more details about applying the material to high-rises, please head to our blog: An overview of specifying high-rise balcony decking.

As a fabricator, you’ll know that a clearer spec means a more straightforward job (at least, most of the time). Look for specifications that:

• Provide explicit instructions on materials, quality, and processes for confidence that the final product will meet every one of your client’s requirements
• Reduce or eliminate guesswork, by supplying you with precise details from dimensions and tolerances to finishes
• Ensure industry regulations and building requirements are met, so products are fit for purpose

You can find technical sheets for all of our aluminium decking and other decking ranges here: Technical product data. For additional information, please contact our team.

Several key regulations and requirements govern balcony fabrication for high-rises. We’ve popped an overview of each below – for more information or advice on the guidance, please get in touch. Our team is always happy to help.

• Fire Safety (Approved Document B)

All balcony components in residential buildings with an occupied floor over 11m must be made of non-combustible materials. These materials must be classified by the European Euroclass fire-rating system as Class A1 or A2-s1, d0.

• Structural Safety (Approved Document A & BS EN Standards)

Balcony designs are required to comply with standards such as BS EN 1090 (for structural steel and aluminium components) and BS EN 1991-1-1 (for imposed loads).

• Guarding and Handrails (Approved Document K & BS 6180)

The minimum height of external balustrades needs to be 1,1000mm (1.1m) above the finished floor level. Balustrade design should avoid features that could be easily climbed, such as horizontal bars.

In October 2023, a new system came into effect under the Building Safety Act 2022. It hasn’t replaced Gateways 2 and 3, but has changed the previous building control processes for higher-risk buildings (HRBs). It means that the Building Safety Regulator now has sole building control authority for all of England’s HRBs. 

Gateways 2 and 3 are now mandatory decision points, meaning the Building Safety Regulator must grant the necessary approval or completion certificate for work to commence (Gateway 2) or the building to be occupied (Gateway 3). This new system has been designed to provide a ‘golden thread’ of building information throughout the building’s lifecycle, which should enhance accountability and legal responsibilities of dutyholders.