What Is BalcoDeck®

The Problem It Solves, Why It Was Developed, and Where the Idea Came From?

What Is BalcoDeck®?

BalcoDeck® is a non-penetrative decking and balustrade solution designed specifically for finished, waterproofed flat roofs. It allows homeowners, builders, and architects to safely install a structurally compliant balustrade and decking system without drilling into or compromising the roof membrane.

The Hidden Problem BalcoDeck® Solves

For years, the same frustrating scenario kept repeating: a client completes their roof terrace—GRP, single-ply membrane, insulation, the whole assembly—and only at the end of the build do they decide they want a balustrade. They contact a balustrade company and proudly share photos of their newly finished roof, only to be told they cannot drill through the waterproofing without risking leaks or voiding guarantees.

This leaves people with only two bad choices: either penetrate the roof and hope for the best, or give up on the balustrade entirely, compromising the usability or compliance of the space. Because balustrades are structural elements, they are supposed to be fixed into the primary structure beneath the insulation and waterproofing—something that is almost impossible to locate accurately once the roof is finished.

Why BalcoDeck® Was Developed

After encountering this exact situation over and over again, the need for a new solution became obvious. Every project required inventing a workaround, coordinating with roofers, finding structural fixing points blind, attempting to re-waterproof penetrations, and hoping that the system wouldn’t leak. BalcoDeck® was created to solve the root problem, not just treat the symptoms.

How BalcoDeck® Works

BalcoDeck® is a patented, non-penetrative decking substructure designed to sit directly on top of the finished roof. It does not require drilling into the membrane, insulation, or primary structure. Instead, it creates an independent structural platform that supports the balustrade, handles building-regulation loads, resists wind loads and uplift, prevents sliding or movement, and provides a stable decking surface.

In short, the system transfers all structural forces into the BalcoDeck® substructure itself—not the roof. This means you get a safe, compliant balustrade and a finished deck, while keeping the roof fully protected and unpenetrated.

Where the Idea Came From

The idea for BalcoDeck® didn’t come from a single project, but from years of seeing the same client problem repeat itself. The roof was finished, the waterproofing was complete, the balustrade was needed after the fact—and nobody had planned for it. Installers repeatedly arrived on-site only to discover that structural fixing through the roof was either impossible or would compromise warranties and long-term performance.

BalcoDeck® was born directly out of this industry-wide gap: a need for a safe, reliable, non-invasive way to install balustrades on completed roof terraces.

In Summary

BalcoDeck® is a non-penetrative structural decking and balustrade system designed for already-finished, waterproofed roofs. It is engineered to meet all structural and regulatory loads, avoid penetrating membranes or voiding warranties, and eliminate the guesswork of trying to find structural fixing points after the fact.

It was developed because the industry needed a smarter, safer solution—one that lets people finish their roof terrace properly without compromising the waterproofing that protects the building beneath.