Take the inside out with the new BAL external tiling system for balconies, roof terraces and ground terraces
With space at home a premium these days, more and more people are expanding their living areas outwards to create much needed freedom.
This trend for outdoor living has led to a growing domestic market in balconies, roof/ground terraces and patios with variations in design, and larger installations no longer reserved for commercial/public buildings such as hotels and sporting venues.
While wooden decking may seem the popular choice of coverings, being cheap to install, without ongoing treatment and maintenance may become susceptible to damage, making natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tiles a great alternative. Tiled coverings and the right system also allow a seamless transition to be made from inside to out.
To cater for this growth, BAL has launched an exclusive new range of external tiling systems, using proven technology from its sister company Gutjahr, which protects outdoor coverings against the unpredictable British weather and diverse extremities such as rain, frost and heat.
Gutjahr System Technology from BAL offers designers and contractors innovative drainage, ventilating and uncoupling solutions for cantilevered balconies, roof terraces and ground-floor terraces/patios.
The new products represent a complete new range of solutions for the BAL portfolio and work as a system with current BAL preparation, adhesives, grouts and sealant products. This means for the first time architects, designers and contractors are provided with a true ‘one-stop-shop’ for balconies, terraces and external ground floors.
Complete protection against water damage, frost and heat
Gutjahr are the inventors of the passive capillary surface drainage system. Complete with edge profiles, drain grates and guttering, the patented systems are simple to install and provides rapid, immediate and high volume drainage of water.
By removing the water, you are taking away the biggest threat to the tiled assembly and protecting the long term integrity of the floor assembly and covering. Problems such as cracking due to the freeze/thaw cycle, staining, warping, efflorescence and even weed growth on loosely laid tiles or slabs is inevitable if surface water is able to penetrate below the tiled surface and is unable to be drained effectively.
As well as protecting against frost damage, staining and water damage, the BAL external tiling systems can also help reduce static weight loading on balconies by utilising thinner assemblies, lighter materials and limiting water absorption and retention, which in turn reduces standing water and subsequently water loading.
The system is so effective it has even become standard in Germany since 2002, being incorporated into the ZDB leaflets (generally acknowledged rules of technology) for external floor coverings of the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB).
With a collective 80 years of commercial tiling experience, incorporation of the Gutjahr range within the BAL portfolio ensures a guaranteed, full-system solution for external installations from the UK market-leader.
BAL is introducing a number of Gutjahr products to its portfolio including waterproofing, drainage matting, mortar, drain grates, edging profiles and guttering, which combined with its full range of tiles adhesives, grouts and sealants, makes BAL the ONLY full system provider in the UK.
All of the products on offer help ensure that specifiers, contractors and installers conform to British Standard BS 5385-3: 2014 – 6.8.1.4 Balconies and Roof Terraces, which states:
“Balconies and terraces should be checked for anticipated static/dynamic loading demands. All materials selected for use in balcony and terrace construction should be checked for suitability prior to their installation. The tile selected for installation should be sufficiently slip resistant and be suitable for the anticipated traffic. Consideration to the environmental surroundings of the balcony or terrace should be given and only suitable materials selected for construction based on the impact posed by the location i.e. marine environments.”
Innovative solutions to meet your needs
Among the systems on offer from BAL include Thin Drainage Assembly for direct point adhesion for break-proof coverings, Standard Drainage Screed Assembly for the solid bed fixing of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone and concrete paving, and a Thin, Lighter Weight Drainage Screed with an epoxy drainage screed for a strong but comparatively lightweight build-up compared to conventional systems.
With the Thin Drainage Assembly, break proof coverings are fixed at points to the AquaDrain® T+ surface drainage mat. Seepage water is then rapidly shed through the drainage channels in the AquaDrain® T+. Using self-supporting tiles this system provides the same benefits as screed based drainage systems but is significantly lighter than conventional assemblies, and a complete build-up above the waterproofing can be achieved from only 29 mm.
Both the Standard Drainage and Thin, Lighter Weight assemblies include the AquaDrain® passive capillary drainage mat which has a unique mesh, raising the complete surface and offering a high drainage volume, the entire system provides a rapid and immediate drainage solution.
The Gutjahr system also includes a range of drainage grates and gullies, trims and profiles which are available in a number of interchangeable sizes and designs for varying assembly heights or individual project requirements.
Now available to order or specify, Gutjahr System Technology represents new, innovative ideas – a vision shared by BAL.
Free specification and project support
In BAL you can call on a company in its fifth decade of specification support that understands the challenges and pressures faced by designers, architects, specifiers and contractors when designing and building tiling installations whether on large commercial or small domestic projects.
BAL has a full range of support services to support you from design to build including:
- Free M40/M20/M10 specification writing service
- RIBA-accredited CPDs
- Bespoke system training and masterclasses
- BIM objects in NBS National BIM Library
- Fast Track Project Enquiry and market-leading Technical Advisory Service
- Sample testing service
- National Specification Support Team for advice or on-site consultancy
- Innovative range of products for full tiling systems
- Leading product guarantee
- Nationwide Product Support Technicians for on-site consultancy
BAL also has comprehensive online tools and web features including:
- Product information including downloadable Technical Data Sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets
- Free project specification
- Downloadable Technical Design Guide and Installation Guides
- Case studies and gallery or images
- Book a Gutjahr Demo
- FAQs and technical advice
To find out more about BAL’s new external tiling system visit www.bal-adhesives.com call our Specification Team on 01782 591120 or email info@building-adhesives.com.