As quickly as balcony flooring materials are at the peak of their trend, things can change. What every client wanted one moment is soon forgotten, with a new balcony flooring material taking preference on all projects.

In this blog, Alfresco Floors highlight the materials that are becoming the best choices for external flooring projects. On top of this, they also highlight some of the limitations of existing materials.

That way, when it comes to specifying your future balcony flooring projects, you know precisely what materials are in the conversation.

MINERAL COMPOSITE BALCONY DECKING

With the need for Class-A rated decking essential for balcony projects, it of course restricts the level of freedom that you have.

Timber has always been desirable, but in the nature of safety and fire regulations, it can’t be used on balcony flooring projects because of its combustibility.

However, using mineral composite balcony decking means you can get the best of both worlds.

With a product such as ZERODECK, manufactured from mineral composites and engineered to meet Class-A regulations, it provides a timber aesthetic without any of the restrictions around fire safety.

Slip-resistant and splinter-free, if you are looking for a substitute for wood balcony decking for your balcony projects, mineral composite is the material to use.

ALUMINIUM & METAL DECKING

One of the first materials that springs to mind when you’re specifying for balcony decking is usually metal and with reason.

Metal decking and in particular aluminium decking has been a common choice by architects and specifiers for a number of years. Because it’s Class-A fire-rated (if untreated), metals such as aluminium are common, but it’s important to mention that there are some downfalls to using them.

Untreated aluminium decking can have issues with slip resistance, whereas with treatment (typically powder coating) the fire rating may not meet Class A standards. AR-DECK from Alfresco Floors not only has excellent slip resistance but is also A2-rated, making it the perfect choice for those projects where aluminium decking has been specified.

PORCELAIN FOR BALCONIES

As the industry works towards its 2050 Net Zero Carbon aims in line with the COP26 agreement, considering more natural materials for your balcony flooring is important.

While natural stone wouldn’t be an obvious choice for high rise balconies, something like porcelain provides an excellent solution.

Though more commonly found on interior installations, 20mm tiles are manufactured for use externally, meaning you can benefit from the material’s desirable aesthetic as well as its natural scratch resistance and stain-proof properties.

Due to its rectified nature, porcelain is a fantastic option that can be used on a variety of fire-rated sub-frames, making your project meet all the required regulations.

CONCLUSION

As you can see, there are a range of material trends that are set to elevate your next balcony flooring project.

The most important thing to consider is the fire rating of the material being used. Class A is essential which means your options are only those that have been tested to the highest possible standards of European fire safety.

Whether you’re looking for a composite balcony decking that offers a timber aesthetic or looking for metal decking, or porcelain, there are options for you.

If you’re already specifying for projects or are wanting to explore the materials that are going to be the biggest trends for your balcony decking, then speak to the Alfresco Floors team today.