Can you afford not to install glazed Balconies from Balco?

Can you afford not to install glazed Balconies from Balco?

According to Ramböll*, Scandinavia’s leading construction consultants, there are a whole host of reasons why you should invest in glazed balconies from Balco as an alternative to the usualbalcony and concrete refurbishment. 

Ramböll arguments

1. Less corrosion

A combination of oxidation, moisture and the pH value in the concrete leads the steel reinforcement in thebalcony floor to corrode. This corrosion occurs bothearlier and more quickly in an unprotected and open balcony. Glazing in the balcony keeps out a lot ofmoisture/water. This reduction in moisture causes thebalcony to dry out, which in turn almost completely halts the corrosion process. A reduction in moisturelevels in the concrete from 95% to 80% slashes the paceof corrosion by up to 90%! Since Balco’s glazing systemis also mounted on the outside edge of the floor module,the concrete’s exposure to moisture is limited even more effectively.

BalconyConcrete´s average
moisture content
RF (%) 
Initiation phase
(years) 
Propagation phase
(years) 
Life
(years) 
Oskyddad> 90301848
Skyddad< 80306898
Skillnader> 1005050

2. The risk of frost damage is eliminated

Glazing in the balcony and thus reducing exposure to moisture also means that the balcony’s interior climateimproves and the air temperature rises. This lowers surfacecondensation on both the concrete floor and the walls,which eliminates the risk of frost damage.

Balco’s glazing system is mounted on the outside edge of the floormodule, protecting the concretefrom moisture.

3. Reduced energy consumption

Balcony glazing acts as a thermal barrier, since it creates a column of air between the glazing and the façade.The effect is equivalent to around 50mm of traditionalsupplementary insulation. In addition, the input air iswarmed before it enters the apartment. When Ramböll’s engineers took measurements at properties where the glazing covered 2/3 of the façade’s area, the results showed energy savings of almost 20%. Thisoutcome is also supported by a similar study carried outby Tampere University of Technology in Finland. It isalso worth noting that Ramböll’s report did not includeour new energy solution – Balco Climate – which addsto the energy savings.

4. Lower maintenance costs

Ramböll’s study shows that a glazed balcony lasts 50 years longer than the equivalent open balcony. This ischiefly due to reduced corrosion and the elimination offrost damage in the concrete, see points 1 and 2. The glazed balcony also provides effective protection for thefaçade and windows against rain, snow and wind. Thiscuts the need for future investment in renovating the façade and windows inside the balcony.

6. Higher property value

Glazed balconies make the property more attractive and the apartments easier to rent out. This helps to boost themarket value, potentially giving a good return on the investment in the long term.

8. Increased security

With tenants spending lots of time on their glazed balconies, the grounds around the property come undergreater surveillance, which causes a drop in vandalism.

10. An extra space

A glazed balcony provides more than a lively façade and an extra space. It also extends the summer and makes winter shorter. Making the space more frequently useable for residents.

In all, adding glazing from Balco can extend the life of a concrete balcony floor by up to 50 years, compared with an unprotected floor, as illustratedin these two tables.

bild Balkongplatta

5. Noise reduction

Integrated glazing with framed panes cuts noise levels considerably. The ear perceives a drop of 10 dB as ahalving of the noise level. Ramböll’s study and previous measurements show that an integrated glazing solution from Balco cuts noise by up to 20 dB.

7. Fewer people move out

The glazed balconies keep residents happier, reducing their desire to move.

9. Better indoor climate

The windows and air in the balcony act as insulation, meaning that input air is warmed up before it enters theapartment. The effect is a better thermal climate indoors.

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*The above is based on Ramböll’s report “Balco, tekniska studier av balkonginglasningar – Inverkan på karbonatisering och armeringskorrosion” (Balco, technical studies of balcony glazing – Impact on carbonation and reinforcement corrosion) from 30.08.2010. UK_report_ramboll.pdf

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