EXTERNAL ENVELOPE 43


Break the mould with thermal breaks for balconies


Thermal bridges in balconies considerably affect the overall thermal transmittance of building envelopes and, according to Nicolas De Vrieze from Leviat, can be the main cause of building defects such as condensation, mould formation, and degradation of materials. Here he looks at the potential engineering answers in detail


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n a post-Covid world, the need for accessible outdoor spaces has never been greater, with balconies seen as the optimum solution for residents in high density urban areas. The challenge for developers and contractors is the fact that balconies typically pass through the building envelope due to their fixing details. This can lead to heat loss, higher energy use and potentially damaging condensation and mould growth on the underside of the concrete slab. With the thermal performance of a building envelope so important, what are the options for specifiers when it comes to fixings at the critical intersection between these building elements, and how can balcony connectors drive time and cost efficiencies onsite?


Energy efficiency is hugely important in today’s sustainable designs, and by that token the thermal performance of the building envelope is a key design consideration. At the same time, architects are looking to create stylish, aesthetically appealing, mixed-use developments that combine high density occupancy with accessible outdoor space. Balconies often provide the answer, but as they typically cause thermal bridges, the fixing detail requires special attention to minimise these, and their various negative consequences.


Don’t bridge the insulation layer Insulated balcony connectors provide specifiers with a solution to enable concrete balconies to be constructed while considerably reducing thermal transfer. The compressive, tensile and shear forces of the insulated balcony connection are carried by the purpose-designed reinforcement through a thick, insulated thermal break,


ADF JUNE 2023 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK


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