With the Government continuing its crackdown on combustible materials in high-rise buildings, architects, specifiers and building owners are turning away en masse from the likes of traditional timber and composite decking. Instead, they are now using new aluminium systems like Ali-deck as a non-combustible alternative for balcony decking.

One such project which has opted for Ali-deck’s aluminium decking is the Gore Street project currently taking place in Manchester. The new mixed-use development forms part of the £80 million regeneration of Salford’s Chapel Street area. Once completed, the building will boast a prime location, situated between Trinity Street and Chapel Street on one of the major routes into the city.

The development will create 375 private rent homes, including 364 apartments and 11 townhouses across the three blocks. Each block ranges between 13 and 22 storeys in height and features a gym, café and private lounge exclusively for residents. Along with space made available for a public square, the first two storeys of the new development will provide 9,400 sqft of commercial and retail space.

With decades of experience designing and installing commercial balconies, balustrades, stairs and structural steelwork, respected Sheffield-based firm Dearneside Fabrications secured the high-profile contract with Sir Robert McAlpine. To stay in line with the Government’s updated advice and to meet the requirements of the project, the talented team at Dearneside Fabrications called on the expertise and product range of Ali-deck.

Richard Izzard comments: “We are incredibly proud to see Ali-deck specified for yet another high-profile multi-occupancy development, and we congratulate the team at Dearneside Fabrications on the fantastic job they’ve done so far. Their team has a proven track record of delivering quality balcony packages and this project will be no exception.

“In a short space of time, Ali-deck has proven itself to be the only viable option for high-rise balconies with the government outlawing more traditional materials. After all, aluminium is incredibly robust, it’s recyclable and most importantly is inherently fire-resistant. To have a safe and reliable solution which carries Class A2-s1 and d0 fire ratings is a welcome relief to building owners, specifiers and architects across the country.

“It’s not just about its non-combustible qualities though. Ali-deck has been designed from the ground up to lend itself to large-scale developments like the Gore Street project. By using aluminium, we can provide a solution which can span 300% further than both traditional timber and composite systems, making it far faster and easier to install.

“Whether it’s a steel or concrete balcony, 90% of the deck boards can be fitted prior to the balcony being installed, helping to significantly reduce time spent on site. In fact, with Ali-deck’s high load-bearing capacity, less supportive steel work is required and therefore costs are considerably reduced too.

“With all the hard work that has gone into the research and development of Ali-deck, we are absolutely thrilled to see our system installed in such stunning projects like this. The Gore Street project is just one of many high-profile developments now using Ali-deck, with Barratt Homes, Bellway and St. George PLC all using Ali-deck systems.”