Did you know that one of the things that can cause a significant delay in a construction project is your balustrading? Yes, if you don’t plan it carefully, your balustrading can set your schedule off. In this post, we’ll discuss balustrade installation and other construction issues that often delay construction projects.
Not Enough Support
When installing a balustrade, you need to ensure there’s enough support. However, things may not go well as planned, which can leave you with insufficient support to fix the balustrade.
Not Enough Timbers
One common structural issue installers come across on site is the inadequate number of timbers that often occur on a balcony or deck because the timber beam at the edge isn’t wide enough to support the balustrade posts.
Use of Polystyrene on Walls
Another common issue is polystyrene walls, a material that is a popular alternative to brickwork. You will usually encounter this type of wall material on energy-efficient buildings. Despite its benefits, polystyrene is a fragile material that can cause issues when providing balustrade support on a balcony or stairs.
Floating Timber or Laminate Floors
Finally, floating timber floors or laminate flooring can cause issues when installing a balustrade. For one, floating floors come with a foam underlay, which can cause the floor top to dip when the foam contracts due to the balustrade.
Also, it is highly preferred that balustrades are installed first before timber floors. Therefore, it’s crucial for installers to know the type of flooring to be used before the installation process.
Improperly Laid Tiles
When tiles are not laid out properly, a balustrade can’t be installed because there’s a risk that the tile might crack. The solution here will most likely involve retrofitting.
Unprepared Site
It’s pretty common for a job to commence even before the site is ready for installation. However, this is one of the major causes of delays. The two common reasons for an unprepared site are due to power and access. Meanwhile, some could be due to trade issues.
Gaps Between Pillars
The gaps on a balcony or stair balustrade shouldn’t be more than 125mm apart. If the gap is greater than this, a small piece of balustrade will be installed to ensure the property meets the regulations. However, the small piece of balustrade is labour-intensive, which may cause significant delays to the project.
Electric Cables and Water Services
Electric cables and water pipes must be spaced out property to ensure the area where the balustrade will be installed is clear. However, when it’s not, relocating these cables and pipes will be time-consuming, which is why you need to ensure they’re all in the right place before you have an installer come for the balustrade installation.
Conclusion
Knowing these common balustrade issues will help you come up with a better plan to avoid these issues and significant delays to your project. Use this information to ensure a smooth balustrade installation. Lastly, make sure you get from a reliable supplier to guarantee high-quality balustrades.
Don’t just work with any supplier! Choose Aussie Balustrading and Stairs, a reliable balustrade manufacturer in Western Australia and Perth. We have a wide selection of balustrades for you to choose from. Contact us today!
