Waterproof Roof Terrace Decking Without Penetrating the Membrane

Many times, we encounter a situation where customers have completed their roof works on their new build or refurbishment building and then approach us with their balustrade or balcony requirement.

The challenge with that is the fact that the roofing covering, be it GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester), Asphalt, Bitumen, EPDM, or Felt, mustn’t be penetrated or drilled. That usually invalidates guarantees.

Glass balustrades require to be fixed into something solid, whether this is via posts or a frameless glass bottom rail, this will require permeation/puncturing of the surface and completed waterproofing.

The BalcoDeck® solution

BalcoDeck® has been developed with this exact problem in mind. A solution that will allow installation of a balcony or balustrade surround but not penetrate the waterproofing on the flat roof or terrace area.

The system uses a patent pending solution that is made up of a proprietary aluminium substructure that is laid on top of the flat roof surface.

The substructure is built to:

• Safely sit and adhere to the surface without any penetration

• Spead the load on the roof

• Support a Glass balustrade surround

• Support a deck on top,the deck can be aluminium, composite or even a tiled finish.

Advantages of not penetrating the waterproofing:

The advantages of using a non penetrative decking system are obvious but worth repeating.

• Maintains roof works guarantees
• Reduces/eliminates chances of water penetration and/or perennial water problems.
• Easy implementation with no additional roof works.

What if my Flat roof is not “flat”?

A very common question. My roof isn’t actually “flat”, will the BalcoDeck® work ok?

Yes, but lets explain:

1. Roofs are never flat, they must have a fall, or falls t allow water to run off the roof. Roofs are designed with a slope or slopes of between 1:40 to 1:80, so that means a fall of between 12.5mm (1/2”) to 25mm (1”) every metre.
2. Large roofs can have more complex falls and slopes in multiple directions

The BalcoDeck® substructure has “feet” that will sit “flat” on the roof at the angle the roof is sloping, and allow the vertical part of the foot to remain perfectly perpendicular. Then the supporting lateral profiles of the substructure level themselves on the base feet.

This create a level deck surface, and a sloping/slanting engagement to the roof and solves the problem of the “Flat” roof not being really “flat”

​

How does the BalcoDeck® drain water?

The BalcoDeck® substructure and structure is built to let water run into and around it.

The system allows the falls and way the roof has already been designed to work without interference. Water and rain will travel around the structure and into the drains, gutters and receptacles that exist and not get hindered or held up. The structure lays to the fall or falls of the roof and does not hinder water movement.

Why aluminium substructure?

There are several reasons why the BalcoDeck® substructure is made from aluminium extrusions.

These are no simple extrusions either.

1. Aluminium is super durable and will last a lifetime, will never rust or deteriorate.
2. The extrusions are made with a special alloy 6063-T6, which is a higher grade of strength, plus they have a unique shape that allows the base to be supported at the bottom, glass balustrade on the top and decking/facia to be connected.
3. Lightweight.
4. Environmentally friendly, all cut offs left over from manufacture are 100% recycled.

Some pictures of a finished BalcoDeck® 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets check suitability for your property

The BalcoDeck® system can be adapted for a wide range of uses and situations. We recommend an initial phone consultation with one of our technical staff so that we can give you the best advice about how the system could be installed at your property. 

To start the process we would love getting some basic information so we can build a quote for your BalcoDeck®:

 

FAQ

What is BalcoDeck® and what problem does it solve?

BalcoDeck® is a patent-pending balcony system designed to enable balcony installation on flat roofs after waterproofing has been completed. It solves the critical construction challenge of adding balconies and balustrades without penetrating or compromising existing waterproof membranes. This means you can install a balcony without invalidating waterproofing guarantees or risking water penetration issues.

How does BalcoDeck® install without damaging the waterproof membrane?

BalcoDeck® features a zero penetration installation design that requires no drilling through waterproof membranes. The system uses an aluminum substructure with specialized feet that adhere to the surface and distribute load evenly across the roof. This approach preserves the waterproofing integrity by keeping the membrane completely intact, maintaining existing roof guarantees and warranties.

What types of waterproofed flat roofs is BalcoDeck® compatible with?

BalcoDeck® is compatible with multiple waterproofed flat roof types including GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester), Asphalt, Bitumen, EPDM, and Felt. The system is designed to work with roofs that have already been waterproofed using any of these materials.

Can BalcoDeck® be installed on a sloped or slanted flat roof?

Yes, BalcoDeck® features a self-leveling capability specifically designed for sloped surfaces. The system can accommodate roof falls of 1:40 to 1:80 (12.5mm–25mm per meter) and works with multiple directional slopes on large roofs. The specialized feet adjust to the roof angle while maintaining vertical perpendicularity, and lateral profiles level themselves on base feet to create a level deck surface despite the sloping roof underneath.

What components are included in the BalcoDeck® system?

BalcoDeck® is an all-in-one integrated balcony system that includes three essential components: an aluminum substructure that sits on top of waterproofed flat roof surfaces, an integrated glass balustrade surround, and a choice of decking finishes including aluminum, composite, or tiled options. This unified system combines both balustrade and decking in a single solution.

What material is the BalcoDeck® substructure made from and why?

The BalcoDeck® substructure is constructed from proprietary aluminum extrusions using alloy 6063-T6, which is a higher grade strength aluminum. Aluminum was chosen because it is 100% recyclable, making it environmentally friendly, and it offers lifetime durability as it never rusts or deteriorates. The lightweight construction also reduces structural load on the roof while maintaining strength.

Will BalcoDeck® affect the drainage of my flat roof?

No, BalcoDeck® is designed to maintain existing drainage system functionality. The substructure allows water drainage around and through the structure, ensuring that the roof’s drainage continues to work properly after installation. The system is engineered to accommodate the roof falls necessary for proper water drainage.

How does BalcoDeck® distribute weight across the roof surface?

BalcoDeck® features an advanced load distribution system that spreads weight safely across the roof surface without creating concentrated pressure points. The specialized aluminum feet adhere to the surface and distribute the load evenly, ensuring safe weight distribution while maintaining the integrity of the waterproof membrane underneath.

What are the main benefits of choosing BalcoDeck® over traditional balcony installation methods?

BalcoDeck® offers several key advantages: it preserves waterproofing integrity through zero penetration installation, maintains roof guarantees and warranties since no drilling is required, features advanced load distribution to safely spread weight across the roof surface, provides an integrated solution combining balustrade and decking in one system, is environmentally friendly with 100% recyclable aluminum components, offers lifetime durability with rust-proof materials, has lightweight construction to reduce roof load, and requires no additional roof works for easy implementation.

How much does BalcoDeck® cost?

Specific pricing for BalcoDeck® is not listed on the page. To obtain pricing information, you can request a quote through the embedded enquiry form on the website or refer to the separate article titled “What does a BalcoDeck® cost?” for more detailed pricing information.

What decking finish options are available with BalcoDeck®?

BalcoDeck® offers three decking finish options to suit different aesthetic preferences and requirements: aluminum decking, composite decking, or tiled decking. Each option integrates with the aluminum substructure and glass balustrade system to create a complete balcony solution.

Who is BalcoDeck® designed for?

BalcoDeck® is specifically designed for homeowners, architects, developers, and contractors who have completed roof waterproofing work and want to add a balcony afterward. It is ideal for anyone who needs to install a balcony on a flat roof that has already been waterproofed with materials like GRP, Asphalt, Bitumen, EPDM, or Felt, and who wants to avoid invalidating waterproofing guarantees or risking water penetration issues.