A blog written by Alfresco Floors

The options available for non-combustible balcony decking are increasingly wider as manufacturers focus their attention on producing A-rated external flooring products.

With choices ranging from aluminium decking to porcelain, stone, and everything in between, it can be easy to stick to what you know.

Despite this though, one material continuing to make an impression on the industry is composites. Providing a non-combustible alternative to timber, it’s becoming a common choice for specifiers and end-users alike.

So, if you’re looking at getting to grips with composites and what they can do to your next external balcony project, keep on reading.

COMPOSITE BALCONY DECKING

Composite balcony decking is a man-made product, manufactured from a range of components such as minerals, recycled plastics, or even natural fibres. Combined with a bonding agent, when heated, the ingredients create a single composite which can then be shaped into boards.

The result is a balcony decking board resembling wood in all but 2 key areas. Combustibility and maintenance; the two which make composite balcony decking stand out against its timber counterpart.

Whether you’re starting an external balcony project from scratch or have been tasked with finding new materials for an outdated (or even combustible) balcony, selecting composites is the right place to start.

IS COMPOSITE DECKING FIRE RATED?

Being associated with plastic and therefore high levels of combustibility is one of the biggest misconceptions of composite balcony decking.

Many composite decking systems do contain varying levels of plastic, limiting where they can be installed. Typically, these types of composite decking can rarely achieve anything greater than class B fire-rating, meaning they cannot be used on any high-rise residential building projects.

Despite this, some composite decking options are manufactured without using any plastic, instead being produced from minerals. This means they will be class A fire rated, and suitable for those balcony flooring projects above 18m in height.

So, while you might think all composite balcony decking is fire-rated and non-combustible, it’s not always the case. When considering your options, it’s important to understand what your composite decking is made from before you can proceed with your project.

FIRE-RATED COMPOSITE DECKING OPTIONS

What options do you have for a class-A fire-rated composite balcony decking then?

Among the range of the traditional material options, ZERODECK is an option continuing to gain momentum from both specifiers and end-users working on balcony projects.

Manufactured using mineral composites, and entirely free of plastic, ZERODECK is a class-A fire-rated, non-combustible composite decking option.

Resembling timber, ZERODECK can provide balcony flooring with the highly sought-after wooden aesthetic many end-users desire, without any of the headache, combustibility, or environmental harm.

WHY COMPOSITE DECKING OVER TIMBER?

The main reason composite decking is becoming more common is simple. It provides the wooden aesthetic many projects are calling out for.

Surprisingly, it’s not necessarily more expensive than timber, and when you need to have class-A fire-rated material, it’s important to have other advantages, too.

Composite decking brings a whole range of benefits over traditional timber, including:

• Splinter free and comfortable underfoot.

• Weather and slip-resistant.

• Protected against rot and mould.

• Staying cool underfoot in summer temperatures.

IS COMPOSITE BALCONY DECKING FOR YOU?

Composite balcony decking might be a less familiar choice, separate from the go-to options of aluminium, porcelain, or even stone, but it can provide an even better overall finish.

If you’re looking for a timber-like aesthetic, a trend set to become incredibly popular in the coming months, composite balcony decking should be the go-to option.

Made precisely for the purpose of external decking, it’s a fantastic class-A fire-rated option.

To find out more about composite balcony decking, ZERODECK, or any other class-A fire-rated balcony flooring options, the Alfresco Floors team will be happy to help.