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Make balcony & balustrades beautiful and accessible

An issue that's often overlooked: Guests in wheelchairs prefer glass balconies so they can enjoy the views too

Balconies and balustrades can be decorative, delightful, and even romantic. But building or refurbishing them can be a trap for the unwary.

They are subject to strict building codes that take most people by surprise.

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The Australian climate batters balconies and balustrades, and they can quickly become damaged and unsafe. But tread carefully when making any changes to them.

Building compliance expert, Lynda Kypriadakis, the Managing Director of the Diverse Group of Companies, told AccomNews that building or renovating balconies and balustrades demands work that needs to be certified and requires an engineer at the planning stage.

“If the work is not certified it isn’t covered by insurance,” Ms Kypriadakis said, “and there are many liability issues involved. Many people looking at renovating a balcony or changing the balustrade simply aren’t aware of what’s involved.”

Unlike most other structures in a property, balconies are constantly exposed to the elements, and the integrity of the structure is always at risk. This makes regular checks and maintenance crucial.

Some of the common causes of deterioration in a balcony can include tile movement and breakage, porous grout, or deteriorated grout. Waterproof membrane failure is often caused by the use of inferior products or the corrosive effects of time and pooling rainwater.

Balcony waterproofing is a common failure that is expensive to fix.

The best way to stop the waterproof membrane from failing is to have professional experts regularly check and repair any damage to the grout and sealer.

The legal requirements surrounding balconies and balustrades can be something of a minefield and it’s important to speak to experts when contemplating any changes or renovations to them.

As well as the safety and building compliance issues involved there are also important accessibility issues to consider, issues that if ignored make a property less welcoming for a large percentage of potential guests and which can cost a property a small fortune in the loss of repeat business.

There are many inexpensive ways to create or refresh a balcony into a style icon without compromising safety or accessibility.

And glass can be a balcony’s best friend!

A balustrade is basically a low wall forming a parapet to a stairway, ramp, balcony, or raised level. The law requires that barriers must be built in any area where people can move through where there is a difference of one meter or more in level. These balustrades must meet numerous safety criteria ensuring they stand up to wind, load, or people leaning on them.

Some balustrades have a prescribed method of glass selection and installation but it is a complex area needing professional advice.

For any barriers more than 5m from the ground or floor level, the revised standard now requires that only laminated safety glass is to be installed.

In the Sunshine State, balconies are very popular, older balconies are often made of timber but all need to withstand adverse subtropical weather.

Queensland Government’s Department of Communities, Housing, and Digital Economy says that from 2002 to 2012, there were 936 presentations to emergency departments in Queensland resulting from falls from a balcony, and in June 2010, following the collapse of a pre-1940s deck, the Brisbane Coroner recommended occupiers of all residential dwellings with a timber deck or balcony have them checked for structural integrity.

Routine maintenance on balconies is essential.

Termites can quickly tear a timber balcony to shreds therefore all timber construction should have a termite management system.

Wood rot also occurs due to high levels of moisture, often when two pieces of timber are in contact, trapping water. Timbers exposed to the weather should be properly painted to repel water and moisture. Any areas of a balcony that are often damp should be checked immediately.

Damp can also occur when pot plants without bottom plates or feet are placed on the deck or balcony. Soil and other debris should be cleared. If decay occurs in structural timbers the government urges that expert advice be immediately sought to establish the implications for the structural integrity of the deck or balcony.

Kerry Williams from The Accessible Group often advises hotels and apartment buildings on how to make rooms and balconies accessible for people with disabilities.

“There are strict building codes for new accommodation offerings,” Ms Williams said.

“You must have accessible rooms according to the code, but what seems to be overlooked are the balconies. They almost always have steps, and even a small step can be the equivalent of a mountain for people with disabilities.

“That can make the accommodation experience for a disabled person less than enjoyable, and those guests will likely not go back to that property.

“There are simple and inexpensive solutions, though. If there is a small lip to the balcony an inexpensive rubber threshold can be used. It’s a durable, cost-effective solution that can make all the difference to a disabled person, ensuring they not only return but also share their experience with all their friends.

“If there is a bigger step, inexpensive metal ramps can be used.

“Almost 20 percent of the Australian population have some form of disability, and then you have other people such as retirees who might have a bad hip or other mobility issues. Things like ramps are inexpensive ways to appeal to a lot of people.”

Ms Williams also points out that glass balconies are obviously preferred by guests in wheelchairs who want to enjoy the views because other materials such as wood make that impossible.

“This is an issue that is often overlooked,” she said. “I ask everyone doing hotel refurbishments to sit in a chair before they take in the view because that’s the exact position for many

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