GB2599798A

GB2599798A - A paved balcony

Info

Publication number: GB2599798A
Application number: GB2113884.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Andrew; White Caleb
Original assignee: Ryno Ltd
Current assignee: Ryno Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-07
Filing date: 2021-09-29
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-29
Also published as: GB202113884D0; GB2599798B; GB202100210D0

Abstract

A balcony structure 100 comprising a support structure 102 comprising a frame and at least one support joist (118, fig 4) extending within the frame; a membrane layer 106 overlying and attached to the support substructure, the membrane layer constructed from at least one sheet material having a constant thickness; a plurality of paving slab support elements 200 overlying and attached to the support sub-structure and a plurality of paving slabs 110 positioned on the support elements and attached to the sub-structure. The support elements may be pedestals (200, Fig 5). The balcony is preferably a bolt-on cantilever or a stacked balcony. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing the balcony.

Description

A paved balcony

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paved balcony. More specifically, the present invention related to a modular, balcony having a paved flooring surface.

Background art

[0002] Many modern buildings, in particular blocks of apartments or flats, utilise balconies. Such balconies offer the advantage of outdoor space in a high-density living environment. Several different types of balconies exist in the field, such as stacked balconies, hung balconies and cantilevered or 'bolt-on' balconies. The present invention is applicable to all types of balcony.

[0003] Bolt-on balconies in particular provide an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance, as they have no visible means of support (they are supported as cantilevers from the building structure). [0004] Such balconies are often modular, being constructed off-site and transported as complete units to the building in question. They are then secured to the building structure as complete units, ready for use. As such, they are often referred to as 'bolt-on' balconies because they are typically attached to the building structure using large bolts.

[0005] Such balconies comprise a frame, providing the required structural rigidity as well as a peripheral balustrade extending upwardly from the frame. The frame is typically quadrilateral in shape (usually rectangular with a long side attached to the building) comprising four sides constructed from a metal box or I-beam section, usually steel. Joists are provided, attached to the frame, extending across its width at a predetermined spacing. The joists may be constructed from e.g. extruded aluminium. They are box-section or I-beam components, having a significant second moment of area about a horizontal axis in order to resist bending. Finally, deck boards are secured to the joists to provide a floor surface. By 'deck board' we mean an elongate panel or board which can be cut to size. Deck boards were traditionally constructed from wood or composite, however more recently better fire resistance has been demanded by the industry. Therefore, there has been a switch to metal deck boards. As such, boards constructed from extruded aluminium have become more common, being light and strong.

[0006] Although metal deck boards have significant advantages, in some cases they are deemed to be aesthetically unsuitable. Paving slabs constructed from ceramic materials such as natural stone, porcelain or concrete offer a fire-resistant flooring surface which provides a different finish which appeals to many architects. By "ceramic", we mean a material that is neither metallic nor organic. A problem with such materials is that unlike metals (which are typically ductile) they are brittle and break with little or no elastic or plastic deformation. They are therefore prone to shattering as a failure mode.

[0007] This is problematic, as balconies are provided at significant heights. Although paving slabs are designed to take significant loads, and failure is highly unlikely, the risk must still be managed. It is highly undesirable for the flooring surface to break apart, as debris would fall and potentially cause injury. Further, there is a need to reduce the risk that items or people may pass through the balcony structure upon such failure.

[0008] DE 20 2005 005 315 U1 discloses a balcony system in which an aluminium sheet is provided over a series of crossbars. Concrete slabs are laid on top of, and in direct contact with, the sheet. A problem with this approach is that the sheet is under constant loading, and furthermore has to withstand the friction of several slabs in constant contact with it.

[0009] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome, or at least mitigate, the aforementioned problems.

Summary of invention

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a balcony structure comprising: a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; a membrane layer overlying and attached to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from at least one sheet of metal material having a constant thickness; a plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer and attached to the support sub-structure; a plurality of paving slabs positioned on the plurality of paving slab support elements, the paving slabs forming a balcony floor surface.

[0011] Advantageously, the use of a sheet metal membrane overcomes the problems with the prior art. Instead of relying on flexural rigidity, the present invention relies on the resistance to tension in the plane of the sheet to retain items in the event of slab failure. This provides a light, and strong structure allowing ceramic slabs to be safely used with such balconies. The support elements may elevate the paving slabs above the membrane, and importantly transfer the load from the slabs directly to the underlying support sub-structure in use. The membrane layer may be sandwiched between the support elements and the sub-structure (which does not put any tension on it) but is otherwise generally unloaded. This means that the membrane layer does not need to be designed to withstand the repetitive loads of regular use, It is present for the slab failure case. The slabs, when intact, are not in contact with the membrane material.

[0012] Preferably the paving slabs are constructed from a ceramic material, including natural stone, porcelain or concrete.

[0013] The membrane may be constructed from a single sheet of metal material.

[0014] Preferably the frame defines a peripheral endless loop having a central aperture across which the joist extends, and wherein the membrane is a single unitary sheet extending across the entire central aperture.

[0015] Alternatively the membrane may be constructed from a plurality of sheets of metal material. [0016] Preferably the sheet metal is selected from the list comprising: aluminium, an alloy of aluminium, steel, and stainless steel.

[0017] Preferably the membrane layer has a constant thickness of between 0.5mm and 5mm. [0018] The plurality of paving slab support elements may comprise a plurality of spaced-apart pedestals, the pedestals supporting the plurality of paving slabs. Preferably the pedestals are positioned at each corner of each of the plurality of paving slabs. Preferably at least one pedestal supports at least two paving slabs.

[0019] Alternatively, the plurality of paving slab support elements comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, elongate, paving rails, the paving rails supporting the plurality of paving slabs. Preferably there is provided a plurality of spacers, the spacers being positioned between each of the paving slabs. The spacers may preferably engage the paving rails. Preferably each paving rail comprises a formation for receiving the spacers. Preferably the formation is a longitudinal recess in an upper surface of each paving rail. Preferably each spacer is configured to have a first rotational position in which it can be lowered into and raised from the formation, and a second rotational position in which it cannot be removed from the formation.

[0020] Preferably the balcony is a bolt-on balcony for attachment to a building as a cantilever. [0021] Preferably the balcony is a stacked balcony.

[0022] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a balcony comprising the steps of: providing a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; attaching a membrane layer to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from a sheet metal material having a constant thickness; attaching a plurality of paving slab support elements to the support sub-structure, the plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer; mounting a plurality of paving slabs on the plurality of paving slab support elements, such that the plurality of paving slabs form a balcony floor surface.

[0023] Preferably the balcony is a balcony according to any of claims the first aspect.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a balcony structure comprising: a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; a membrane layer overlying and attached to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from at least one sheet of metal material having a constant thickness; a plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer and attached to the support sub-structure; a plurality of paving slabs positioned on the plurality of paving slab support elements, the paving slabs forming a balcony floor surface.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided: a method of manufacturing a balcony comprising the steps of: providing a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; attaching a membrane layer to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from a sheet metal material having a constant thickness; attaching a plurality of paving slab support elements to the support sub-structure, the plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer; mounting a plurality of paving slabs on the plurality of paving slab support elements, such that the plurality of paving slabs form a balcony floor surface.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] Example devices according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first balcony structure in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the balcony structure of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the balcony structure of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of part of the structure of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the structure of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second balcony structure in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the structure of Figure 6; and, Figure 8 is a detail view of a part of the structure of Figure 6.

Description of Embodiments

First embodiment Configuration of the first embodiment [0027] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a balcony structure 100 according to the invention is shown. The structure 100 is attached to a building 10. The structure 100 comprises a frame 102, a membrane layer 106, a plurality of pedestals 200, a plurality of paving slabs 110 and a balustrade sub-assembly 112.

The balcony structure 100 is a bolt-on balcony, although it will be understood that the invention may be applied to other types of balcony, such as stacked balconies.

[0028] The frame 102 comprises a frame outer 103 constructed from a steel box-section structure formed as a rectangle in plan, having a width W and depth D. The frame outer 103 comprises attachment points 114, 116 for attachment to the building 10. The frame further comprises depthwise joists 118 extending normal to the building 10. The joists 118 are constructed from steel and with the frame outer 103 define an upper surface 122 on a support plane P. [0029] The membrane layer 106 is constructed from a single flat, unitary sheet of aluminium. By this, we mean that the membrane layer is a homogenous, constant thickness sheet of material having a thickness t being substantially less than its width and depth. In this embodiment the thickness t is 1 mm, but may be provided in the range 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0030] The pedestals 200 are shown in Figure 5. Pedestals 200 are similar to those described in co-pending application GB2016794.6, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference where permitted.

[0031] The pedestal 200 is a substantially flat, pressed metal component which is square in plan. The pedestal 200 is constructed from a pressed metal material having a thickness tp.

[0032] The base 200 is formed to have a base portion 202, a central support portion 204 and a perimeter support portion 206. The base portion 202 is connected to the central support portion 204 by an inner transition 208. The base portion 202 is connected to the perimeter support portion 204 by an outer transition 210. The inner and outer transitions 208, 210 are at approximately 45 degrees to the portions 202, 204, 206 which are horizontal and parallel to each other. This provides the base 200 with a 'dish-like' shape having a central 'island'. Being constructed from a flat, planar piece of material, the base 200 (and therefore each of the portions) has an upper surface 212 and a lower surface 214.

[0033] The base portion 202 is in the shape of a square annulus, surrounding the central support portion 204 and surrounded by the perimeter support portion 206. The base portion 202 comprises four slots 216 each extending proximate a corner of its inner permitter (adjacent the inner transition 208) towards a corner of its outer perimeter (adjacent the outer transition 210). Four circular openings 218 are provided at the centre of each side of the base portion 202.

[0034] The central portion 204 defines four tabs 220, each extending radially outwardly to a midpoint on each side of the central portion. The tabs 220 are formed with a U-shaped cut forming an opening 222 in the material of the pedestal 200 and the tab 220 deformed upwardly so as to project from the upper surface 212 at an angle. The openings 222 formed by creation of the tabs 220 extend from the central portion 204 into the inner transition 208.

[0035] The perimeter support portion 206 defines four tabs 224, each extending radially inwardly to a midpoint on each side of the base portion 202. The tabs 224 are formed with a U-shaped cut forming an opening 226 in the material of the base 200 and the tab 224 deformed upwardly so as to project from the upper surface 212 at an angle. The openings 226 formed by creation of the tabs 224 extend from the perimeter support portion 206 into the outer transition 210.

[0036] As such, the inner tabs 220 face outwardly, and the outer tabs 224 face inwardly.

[0037] It can be seen that the upper surface 212 of the central support portion 204 and perimeter support portions 206 are parallel and aligned, providing an upper support plane USP. The lower surface 214 of the base portion 202 forms a lower support plane LSP. The vertical height H of the support between LW and USP with respect to the base 100 is 10mm in this embodiment.

[0038] The paving slabs 110 are square in shape, and constructed from a ceramic material, in this embodiment a porcelain.

Assembly [0039] The balcony structure 100 is typically pre-fabricated in a factory setting prior to installation.

[0040] The balustrade 112 is attached to the frame 102.

[0041] The membrane 106 is placed over the frame 102 and secured thereto using appropriate mechanical fasteners (e.g. self-drilling fasteners). In particular, the membrane 106 is secured to the frame 102 proximate its perimeter in order to provide a layer which can resist loads in tension. [0042] The pedestals 200 are then attached to the frame 102 through the membrane 106. In configuration shown, the pedestal 200 are used alone to provide a 10mm support height between the membrane 106 and the lower surface of the overlying slabs 110. Multiple pedestals may be stacked to increase the support height, or different types of pedestals may be used to suit the installation. The pedestals 200 are attached to the frame 102 using mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws) through the slots 116 or openings 118.

[0043] Once fixed in position, the slabs 110 are on the pedestals 200 as shown in Figure 5. A plurality of bases are provided in a grid formation, and paving slabs 110 laid on top. The centre pedestals 200 support the corners of four slabs 110. The tabs 220, 224 provide a fixed separation distance between each slab 110. The tabs 220, 224 are deformed so as not to project above the upper surface of the slabs 110 to ensure that their free ends remain below the upper surface.

[0044] The slabs 110 are elevated above (offset from) the membrane layer 106. This means that a gap is formed therebetween. This is beneficial because it reduces frictional wear between the slabs and the membrane, aids drainage and means that the membrane layer 106 can be made thin and light as it is not constantly loaded.

[0045] Once fully assembled, the balcony structure 100 is transported to site and attached to the building 10 with mechanical fasteners.

[0046] It is also conceivable that the present invention can be installed when the existing framework is already in place-for example when revising the flooring material.

Operation of the first embodiment [0047] When assembled as described above, the structure 100 provides a secure, safe and strong support surface for individuals and their possessions. In the unlikely event that a ceramic slab 110 should fracture and break, the free pieces will be supported by the aluminium membrane 106. Further, the membrane is configured and attached such that it can also support the weight of the users, possessions and slab pieces. Therefore it acts as a "safety net" to catch items above it.

[0048] Unlike the prior art, which relies on flexural rigidity to provide an underlying support, the present invention provides a membrane 106 which has much lower flexural rigidity but acts in tension to provide the required functionality. This allows the membrane 106 to be of much lower mass and vertical height than the extruded aluminium systems provided in the prior art, whilst providing the same level of functionality. Manufacture of the system is also considerably less expensive than existing systems, which typically employ a series of extruded aluminium sections.

Variations on the first embodiment [0049] The above embodiment is provided with a specific type of stackable, low profile pedestal. It will be understood that other types of pedestal or means for retaining paving slabs may be used.

Second embodiment Configuration of the second embodiment [0050] Referring to Figures 6 to 8, a balcony structure 300 according to the invention is shown. The structure 300 is attached to a building (not shown) per the first embodiment. The structure 300 comprises a frame 302, a membrane layer 306, a plurality of paving rails 400, a plurality of spacers 500, a plurality of paving slabs 310. As with the first embodiment, a balustrade sub-assembly will typically be provided, but it not shown here. The balcony structure 300 is a bolt-on balcony, although it will be understood that the invention may be applied to other types of balcony, such as stacked balconies.

[0051] The frame 302 is shown only as a cuboid, but in reality is similar in structure to the frame 102 of the first embodiment. The frame 302 defines an upper surface 322 on a support plane P. [0052] The membrane layer 306 is constructed from a plurality of tessellated flat, unitary sheets of aluminium 307. By this, we mean that each sheet of membrane is a homogenous, constant thickness sheet of material having a thickness t being substantially less than its width and depth. In this embodiment the thickness t is 1 mm, but may be provided in the range 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0053] The paving rails 400 and spacers 500 are shown in Figure 8. The paving rails 400 and spacers 500 are similar to those described in co-pending application WO 2020/165103 Al, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference where permitted.

[0054] The paving rail 400 is a box-section component having a top surface 450, and a bottom surface 452. Mounting flanges 454,456 are provided on either side of the section, extending from the bottom surface 452.

[0055] The paving rail 400 has a recess 402 which runs longitudinally along its top side. An overhang 404 reduces the width of recess 402 at its opening. Recess 402 has a 'stepped' cross section, in that a lower portion 406 of recess 402 has a smaller width than an upper portion 408 of recess 402.

[0056] The spacer 500 comprises a central portion 501 from which four spacer arms 502 extend laterally. 'Laterally' or 'lateral' in this context is used to mean a direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which the central region extends (i.e. between its two distal ends). In Figure 8, the central region extends vertically and the spacer arms extend horizontally from the central region. Put another way, the spacer arms extend radially from the central portion. As shown in Figure 8, the spacer arms are evenly positioned about a central vertical axis such that the spacer arms are separated by 90 degrees, in order to separate four 90 degree corners of different paving slabs. It will be appreciated, however, that the spacer arms may be unevenly positioned about the central vertical axis to accommodate flooring elements having obtuse and acute corners. Moreover, and as described in further detail below, further embodiments of the invention have two and three spacer arms to facilitate the separation of other configurations of flooring elements.

[0057] A retention portion 503 extends downwardly from one end of the central region 501. The retention portion 503 has the shape, in lateral cross section, of a hexagon, extended along one axis of symmetry. Retention portion 503 therefore has a longest lateral axis which extends in a plane parallel to the plane of extension of the spacer arms 502 extending from the central portion 501. The lateral cross-sectional shape of retention portion 503 may be any shape which has a longest or lateral axis (such as, for example, the major axis of an ellipse, the diagonal of a square or the diagonal or line intersecting the two shortest sides of a rectangle), such as square, isosceles or scalene triangle, oval/ellipse, oblong, rectangle, parallelogram or octagon. As shown in Figure 8, the longest lateral axis of retention portion 103 is offset from the spacer arms 102 by 45 degrees. However, the longest lateral axis of retention portion 103 may be offset from a spacer arm by any non-zero angle sufficient to 'lock' the spacer 500 and prevent vertical movement of the spacer 500, as described below. The longest axis is not aligned with a spacer arm 502.

[0058] A protrusion 504 extends downwardly from the retention portion 503 and is annular in cross section, although it may be circular in cross section. The circumference of protrusion 504 allows spacer 500 to be rotated in a lateral plane when positioned in a recess of a paving rail, as seen in Figure 8. [0059] The paving slabs 310 are right quadrilaterals in shape, and constructed from a ceramic material, in this embodiment a porcelain.

Assembly [0060] The balcony structure 300 is typically pre-fabricated in a factory setting prior to installation. [0061] The membrane layer 306 is placed over the frame 302 and secured thereto using appropriate mechanical fasteners (e.g. self-drilling screws). In particular, the membrane layer 306 is secured to the frame 302 proximate the perimeter of each sheet 307 in order to provide a layer, whose individual elements can resist loads in tension. It will be noted that small gaps 309 are provided between each sheet 307 to allow drainage.

[0062] The paving rails 400 are then overlaid onto the membrane layer. Each rail is then secured through the layer 306 into part of the frame 302 (i.e. not just to the layer 306, but to the frame 302 compressing the membrane layer 306 between the frame 302 and rails 400).

[0063] Spacers 500 are then assembled with the frame SOO. The longest axis of the retention portion 503 of each spacer 100 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of recess 402, and spacer arms 504 are at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of recess 402 (i.e. the spacer is 45 degrees counter-clockwise compared to its position in Figure 8). The spacer is depressed into the recess 402 until the protrusion 504 sits within the lower portion 406 of recess 402 and the retention portion 503 sits within the upper portion 408 of recess 402.

[0064] It will be understood that an axis of the retention portion 503 must be less than the width of the opening defined by overhang 404 in order to fit through the opening and also that the longest or major axis of retention portion 503 must be longer that the width of the opening to prevent vertical movement of the spacer after rotation of the spacer in a first direction. Given that the point of rotation of retention portion 503 is mid-way along the width of the opening (i.e. it is centrally located within the width of the opening), the length of the longest axis of retention portion 503 must, as retention portion 503 rotates, be longer than the width of the opening -i.e. the lengths of the longest axis on either side of the pivot point are greater than half the width of the opening. The spacer SOO is rotated in a clockwise direction until both ends of the retention portion 503 abut a wall of the longitudinal recess 402, thereby preventing further rotation in the first direction. In this position, two arms 502 are parallel with the rail 400, and two arms 502 are perpendicular thererto.

[0065] This allows slabs 310 to be positioned onto the rails 400, abutting each of the spacers 500. It will be noted that the arms 502 of each spacer 500 can be selectively removed to support e.g., a single edge of a slab.

[0066] The slabs 310 are elevated above (offset from) the membrane layer 306. This means that a gap is formed therebetween. This is beneficial because it reduces frictional wear between the slabs and the membrane, aids drainage and means that the membrane layer 306 can be made thin and light as it is not constantly loaded.

[0067] Once fully assembled, the balcony structure 300 is transported to site and attached to the building with mechanical fasteners.

[0068] It is also conceivable that the present invention can be installed when the existing framework is already in place-for example when revising the flooring material.

Operation of the second embodiment [0069] When assembled as described above, the structure 300 provides a secure, safe and strong support surface for individuals and their possessions. In the unlikely event that a ceramic slab 310 should fracture and break, the free pieces will be supported by the aluminium membrane layer 306. Further, the membrane is configured and attached such that it can also support the weight of the users, possessions and slab pieces. Therefore it acts as a "safety net" to catch items above it.

[0070] Unlike the prior art, which relies on flexural rigidity to provide an underlying support, the present invention provides a membrane 306 which has much lower flexural rigidity but acts in tension to provide the required functionality. This allows the membrane 306 to be of much lower mass and vertical height than the extruded aluminium systems provided in the prior art, whilst providing the same level of functionality. Manufacture of the system is also considerably less expensive than existing systems, which typically employ a series of extruded aluminium sections.

Variations [0071] In addition to aluminium, the membrane may be constructed from other materials such as other sheet metals, e.g. stainless steel.

[0072] Features of each embodiment may be combined-for example the unitary membrane layer 106 of the first embodiment may be used with the paving rails 400 of the second embodiment. The multi-sheet membrane layer of the second embodiment may be used with the pedestals of the first embodiment.

Claims

Claims 1. A balcony structure comprising: a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; a membrane layer overlying and attached to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from at least one sheet of metal material having a constant thickness; a plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer and attached to the support sub-structure; a plurality of paving slabs positioned on the plurality of paving slab support elements, the paving slabs forming a balcony floor surface.
2. A balcony structure according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is constructed from a single sheet of metal material.
3. A balcony structure according to claim 2, wherein the frame defines a peripheral endless loop having a central aperture across which the joist extends, and wherein the membrane is a single unitary sheet extending across the entire central aperture.
4. A balcony structure according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is constructed from a plurality of sheets of metal material.
S. A balcony structure according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sheet metal is selected from the list comprising: aluminium, an alloy of aluminium, steel, and stainless steel.
6. A balcony structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane layer has a constant thickness of between 0.5mm and 5mm.
7. A balcony structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of paving slab support elements comprises a plurality of spaced-apart pedestals, the pedestals supporting the plurality of paying slabs.
8. A balcony structure according to claim 7, wherein the pedestals are positioned at each corner of each of the plurality of paving slabs.
9. A balcony structure according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one pedestal supports at least two paving slabs.
10. A balcony structure according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of paving slab support elements comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, elongate, paving rails, the paving rails supporting the plurality of paying slabs.
11. A balcony structure according to claim 10, comprising a plurality of spacers, the spacers being positioned between each of the paving slabs.
12. A balcony structure according to claim 11, wherein the spacers engage the paving rails.
13. A balcony structure according to claim 12, wherein each paving rail comprises a formation for receiving the spacers.
14. A balcony structure according to claim 13, wherein the formation is a longitudinal recess in an upper surface of each paving rail.
15. A balcony structure according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each spacer is configured to have a first rotational position in which it can be lowered into and raised from the formation, and a second rotational position in which it cannot be removed from the formation.
16. A balcony structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the balcony is a bolt-on balcony for attachment to a building as a cantilever.
17. A balcony structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the balcony is a stacked balcony.
18. A method of manufacturing a balcony comprising the steps of: providing a support sub-structure comprising a frame and at least one support joist extending within the frame; attaching a membrane layer to the support sub-structure, the membrane layer constructed from a sheet metal material having a constant thickness; attaching a plurality of paving slab support elements to the support sub-structure, the plurality of paving slab support elements overlying the membrane layer; mounting a plurality of paving slabs on the plurality of paving slab support elements, such that the plurality of paving slabs form a balcony floor surface.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the balcony is a balcony according to any of claims 1 to 17.