5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN RENOVATING BALCONIES

A guide to balcony renovations with Ultra High Performance Concrete

FROM PLANNING TO FINAL INSTALLATION

Renovating old or outdated balconies can be a challenging task, but it is often a necessary measure to ensure a safe and solid structure or to optimize existing buildings for new purposes. Renovating a balcony is a smart investment that can enhance aesthetic appeal, improve energy efficiency, increase safety, and add value to the property. By incorporating balconies made of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) into your project, you ensure that you benefit from a range of essential properties.

Here, we will guide you through 5 essential steps to consider when embarking on a balcony renovation project – from planning to installation.

Consideration 1: DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF THE RENOVATION

Renovating a balcony or adding a balcony to an existing building can be a smart investment that provides a range of benefits for your property or project. If the balconies are old or outdated, it may be necessary to renovate them to improve their safety and stability, making them more durable and long-lasting. Adding balconies to an existing building can also enhance the overall aesthetics of your property by providing an inviting and comfortable outdoor space, and adding value to your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters. A renovated balcony can also improve the energy efficiency of your building, leading to lower energy costs and making it a smart long-term investment.

By defining the purpose of your renovation project, you can choose the right budget, design, and schedule that best suits your specific project - and ensure that the renovation project meets your specific needs and requirements.

Have you checked your balconies recently? If you are unsure about the condition of your balcony or notice that it is in poor condition, it is recommended to have the balcony inspected to avoid corrosion and dangerous situations.

Consideration 2: ESTABLISH THE PROJECT BUDGET

Before starting a balcony renovation project, it is essential to establish the project budget. It is important to have a clear understanding of your financial resources before beginning the renovation process, as this will help you make informed decisions about the materials and design options available to you.

Having a realistic budget can also help you avoid overspending or unnecessary expenses during the renovation process. It is important to consider not only the costs of materials and labor but also any additional expenses that may arise during the project.

What is the price of a UHPC balcony?

Consideration 3: SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

When planning a balcony renovation project, it is important to consider the environmental impact of materials and processes. Additionally, sustainability requirements should be taken into account before starting the design phase.

The choice of materials is critical. Hi-Con's own UHPC material, CRC, offers several advantages over steel and traditional concrete. Because the balconies are slim, we use less cement to produce them compared to traditional concrete, resulting in reduced transport and smaller cranes on the construction site. The material also has a lifespan of 100+ years, ensuring safe and beautiful balconies for a long time. Additionally, our concept balcony emits 22.8% less CO2 than a steel balcony.

Another important factor for sustainability is energy efficiency. Balcony renovations can provide an opportunity to improve the building's energy efficiency, reducing overall energy consumption and costs. Since balcony elements produced with UHPC CRC are slim, they allow for more space for additional insulation when renovating a facade, which is valuable when seeking energy-optimizing solutions.

Our experts are happy to discuss how to integrate sustainable requirements and considerations into your balcony renovation project to ensure a greener result.

You can read more about our initiatives for a better future here

Consideration 4: FIND THE MOST SUITABLE BALCONY DESIGN

Once the budget is decided and approved, you need to decide on the design of the balcony. Renovating buildings requires extensive knowledge and experience to analyze the existing building's structures, physics, and functions and develop a design solution that brings the final result as close to the planned outcome as possible.

At Hi-Con, we offer customized balcony solutions, so you find the best design solution for your project. Our UHPC material has a range of properties that provide architects the freedom to design and shape balconies according to their vision and dream for a specific renovation project. This freedom is only made possible due to the material's extreme strength and durability. The building's structure, load capacity, and age also play a crucial role in how the balconies are designed and installed. Therefore, we always recommend involving us early in the process to provide the best possible solution.

For renovation projects, UHPC is an excellent material that possesses several essential properties that you can benefit from. The material's free formability is one of its most important advantages, making it ideal when renovating buildings where the existing balconies need to be recreated to be true to the original architecture. Additionally, we cast very slim elements that place less load on the building, enabling us to install much larger balconies or facade elements on an existing building compared to traditional concrete. Our experts are ready to assist and support you in the decision-making process to ensure a smooth and successful renovation.

Do you want to see UHPC in action?

See our renovation cases here

Consideration 5: PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS

Finally, the production of balconies and logistics is a crucial consideration before starting a renovation project. Careful planning and preparation are key to ensuring the project's success, and the production process plays an important role in this planning. By considering the production process, you can ensure that you have the necessary resources, labor, and equipment to complete the renovation process efficiently.

At Hi-Con, we take pride in our production facilities and skilled employees, who strive to create visually impressive and durable UHPC structures. Our use of prefabricated elements minimizes installation time and hassle, and our customizable designs make it easy to achieve the desired look. Additionally, our lightweight materials are easy to handle during transport and installation, while being incredibly strong, ensuring the highest quality for each balcony produced.

Don't let a renovation project overwhelm you. Let our expert team guide you through the process and ensure a smooth and efficient renovation that meets your needs and budget. Contact us now to get started.