Balcony design in the built environment has undergone a major transformation over the past decade, with fire safety, compliance, and water management now forming the core pillars of every successful project. In multi-storey residential schemes, water ingress, staining, and poor drainage continue to be common challenges—particularly where timber or composite decking has been used without proper planning. At AliDeck, they've developed a comprehensive aluminium balcony system that tackles water management head-on, offering built-in solutions that not only perform but meet the strictest standards, including NHBC guidelines.

From integrated-drainage aluminium decking boards to robust soffit, cladding, and balcony drainage systems, AliDeck’s range is designed to deliver durability, aesthetics, and compliance. For developers, contractors, architects, and specifiers across the UK and Ireland, their water management solutions help achieve a safer, smarter standard for outdoor spaces—and they're supporting these with on-site surveys, drainage documentation, and expert guidance from concept to sign-off.

Water Management in Balcony Construction: A Growing Responsibility

The increase in high-density housing and urban apartment schemes has placed greater emphasis on the need for compliant and carefully considered drainage strategies. Balcony designs must now account for water from rainfall, cleaning, and everyday use—ensuring that it drains safely and efficiently without affecting occupants below or damaging the building façade.

Where balconies are stacked, this is even more critical. Without the correct water flow systems in place, water can travel downward and create nuisance dripping, staining, or, worse, structural damage. That’s why regulatory bodies like the NHBC (National House Building Council) have outlined clear expectations for water management in Chapter 7.1 (Flat Roofs and Balconies)—requiring that water is directed away from the structure and does not collect or pond on any balcony surface.

Aluminium Decking with Built-In Drainage Channels

At the heart of their water management offering is the aluminium decking board range, which includes unique profiles designed with integral drainage. These drainage gaps are engineered to allow surface water to pass directly through the board into hidden channels below. Rather than relying on secondary drainage membranes or trays installed later in the build process, AliDeck systems are engineered to manage water from the surface downward as part of the primary deck design.

Unlike composite or timber alternatives, aluminium will not absorb water or swell. Their powder-coated surfaces also reduce staining and support long-term performance, even in high-rainfall areas. The result is a cleaner, drier, and safer balcony surface year-round—essential for both resident experience and building durability.

Complete Drainage Control with AliDrain

In larger developments or buildings with stacked balconies, water needs to be captured and routed safely away from occupied or visible spaces. TheirAliDrain system is designed to do just that. Installed beneath the aluminium decking, it works in tandem with their integrated board profiles to collect and direct water via an engineered discharge route—often connected to a downpipe or drainage point.

This prevents water from dripping onto balconies below or causing long-term issues to cladding and external walls. Importantly, it also supports NHBC-compliant design, helping developers demonstrate that adequate drainage has been planned and implemented. Whether the project is new build or remediation, AliDrain ensures that balcony drainage meets both practical and regulatory standards.

Finishing the System with Soffits and Cladding

Water management doesn’t stop at the surface level. Once drainage has been planned, it should be properly concealed and protected for visual consistency and safe function. Their AliClad systems provide a non-combustible, low-maintenance solution to enclose the underside of balconies and protect drainage infrastructure.

These systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with Alideck's decking and drainage range, offering a unified balcony appearance. They also support airflow where required and can be tailored to meet specific drainage access needs during ongoing maintenance. As with other systems, all soffit and cladding products are extruded in the UK and powder-coated in-house, giving full control over finish quality, lead times, and consistency across large schemes.

Supporting NHBC Compliance with Documentation and Site Services

Compliance is not just a design goal—it’s a deliverable that must be evidenced. That’s why they go beyond product supply to support their customers throughout the project lifecycle. They work closely with architects, developers, and contractors to produce:

Drainage Reports – These outline how balcony water is managed across the development, referencing their products, installation methodology, and discharge strategy. These reports are often submitted during the design and approval stages and are vital for gaining NHBC warranty coverage.
Site Sign-Off Surveys – Their technical team offers pre- and post-installation surveys to ensure systems are installed correctly and performing as intended. This helps avoid costly rework and ensures peace of mind when handing over to the warranty provider or client.
They also offer design consultations, specification support, and CPD sessions to help your team stay up to date with the latest compliance changes and best practices around balcony water management.

Made for Long-Term Performance

All AliDeck systems are manufactured from high-grade aluminium and powder-coated for weather resistance and durability. Aluminium is non-porous, corrosion-resistant, and does not degrade over time like timber or plastic-based systems. With a life expectancy of 30+ years, their products offer excellent ROI for developers and property owners, and significantly reduce the need for maintenance or replacement.

Because all of their manufacturing, powder coating, and assembly happens in-house at the UK facility, Alideck are also able to offer shorter lead times (as little as four weeks) and complete control over quality and delivery—something not all suppliers can claim.

Supporting Projects Across the UK and Ireland

AliDeck is proud to be the trusted choice for water-managed balcony systems on hundreds of developments across the UK and Ireland. From major residential schemes in London to coastal remediation projects and everything in between, they provide more than just products—Alideck offer partnership and peace of mind.

Whether you're dealing with NHBC approval, remediating an existing issue, or designing from the ground up, Alideck's systems are built to comply, last, and perform.

Let’s Work Together

Need help with balcony drainage on your current or upcoming project? Book a CPD, request a site survey, or speak to the team about their drainage reports and product support.

info@alideck.co.uk
01622 534050

AliDeck — Complete Balcony Solutions, Designed for Compliance.