BalcoDeck® - Highgate London

Case Study: Non-Penetrative Roof Top Decking & Balustrade Installation

Site Location

Highgate, London (N6)
The project was located in Highgate, North London. In a very nice suburban road. The house is a 4 storey london family home with a small garden.

 

Customer & Brief

Customer Type:
The customers were the home owners husband and wife, they had planning permission and wanted to unitlise the large roof for relaxing and enjoying this unique space on warm days. They said this space will offer a secluded haven for them to spend quality family time in the relaxing sunsets/

The customer learned about BalcoDeck® through their builder/surveyor who was knowledgable with Balconette's range and came to view the prodcut at the factory in Surrey.

Project Background:

Planning permission had been granted but the customer and their surveyor struggled to find a non penatrative solution. They did not want any water penetration issues from the roof. Living very close to Balconette, their builder/surveyor came into Balconette's office and showroom to see if there was a waterproff solution for this project and was elated to learn about BalcoDeck®. It was the perfect fit they had been waiting for.

A site survey was organised very quickly and plans were made to complete the works in time for the summer so they customer could enjoy the space staright away.

Picture Gallery: BalcoDeck - Highgate N6 - Picture Gallery

What We Were Asked to Achieve:

• Supply and install a non-penetrative decking system and balustrade
• Avoid any penetration of the existing waterproof roof membrane or parapet
• Provide a clean, modern aesthetic suitable for a high-end residential rental
• Deliver the project quickly, so the customer could immediately enjoy the decking during summer.

Structure Type

Roof top of a 4 story london town house – roof access via an elelctrical opening skylight with staoris from inside the house.

Limitations & Design requests

• Existing waterproofing was already completed and could not be compromised
• A small 300mm high parapet surrounded the terrace
• The decking was to be set back appx 1.0m from the edges with a green roof system to the exterior of the deck.
• The customer wanted to use Millboards Enhanced Grain decking.

Access to the Space & Interaction with the BalcoDeck® Structure

The roof terrace was already finished and waterproofed, meaning the decking system had to be entirely non-penetrative.

This made the BalcoDeck® aluminium substructure the ideal solution, allowing installation without drilling into the roof surface or parapet.

A glass balustrade was designed to run around the whole decking area, includeing around the skylight, making allowance for the opening of the skylight for access, and for a gap to let users onto the roof.

Balustrade Specification

Material:

• Balconette’s Hybrid® Aerofoil glass balustrade with minimal posts, finished in Matt Natural Anodised.and using clear safety glass.

Decking Material Choice

Selected System:

• Millboard Enhanced grain decking boards
• Installed on the BalcoDeck® non-penetrative aluminium substructure

Overall Size

• Approx. 6 metres long x 7 metres deep
• Total balustrade run: approximately 30 metres, including around the skylight

Site Access & Lifting of Goods

• Building located directly beside a main road
• No overhead power lines or obstructions
• A mechanical lift was installed allowing access of personnel and goods directly from the front car park to the roof. All the goods were lifted using this lift.

Preparatory Works & Site Setup

• Initial site survey and measurements carried out following instruction
• Detailed assessment of:
  • Parapet dimensions
  • Wall interfaces
  • Access and lifting strategy
• Decking substructure pre-manufactured in our factory
• Components assembled in sections to allow efficient lifting and rapid installation on site

Challenges

• Working on a fully finished, waterproofed roof without causing damage
• Tight programme with speed being critical to the client

Application

• Residential roof terrace for a newly created apartment
• Designed for long-term durability, safety, and visual appeal
• Suitable for the customers enjoyment as a private get away for good weather days.

Time on Site

• Day 1:
  • Delivery and lifting of materials
• Day 2, 3 & 4:
  • Assembly of decking substructure
  • Completion of decking surface
  • Installation of balustrade posts
• Day 5:
  • Installation of glass balustrade
  • Final detailing and site clearance

Total installation time: 5 days

Result

The completed roof top terrace delivered a unique haven of relaxation with a  clean, modern, and highly functional outdoor space without compromising the building’s waterproofing or structure.