We’ve heard design experts refer to balconies as “bite-sized backyards…” and for good reason! These compact outdoor areas can give homeowners or tenants an opportunity to take in some fresh air and if they’re lucky, a view beyond the walls of their living space. Bursting with untapped potential, the list of ways to utilize these open-air spaces is practically endless. For example, Elle Décor’s list of balcony ideas includes growing an urban garden (a city dweller’s dream) and creating a transitional outdoor entertainment area that maximizes a unit’s usable square footage.

But here’s the thing. These fun ideas are only possible if the balcony construction is well-executed. Contractors and builders know that the key to successfully building these elevated outdoor living spaces starts with the framing material. In need of a strong, durable and fire-safe balcony framing solution, many are putting steel frames to the test.

A steel frame provides strength and durability for staying power

Incredibly strong, steel is a powerhouse balcony framing material. With a yield strength approximately 10 times greater than wood, steel profiles can shoulder heavy loads—up to 200 psf. The high load-bearing capacity of steel directly correlates with its ability to provide greater spans between supports. In multi-story homes or buildings, needing fewer intermediate posts creates more usable space underneath a balcony, allowing owners to make the most of their properties. Using fewer vertical supports also “unclutters” the lower-level space for a much cleaner appearance visually.

But as with any outdoor building product, strength is only half of the equation. A balcony, which is constantly exposed to the elements, needs to provide staying power. And when supported by a steel frame, it does. A steel balcony can sidestep common issues that plague traditional substructures made from wood, such as deterioration after long-term exposure to moisture. Steel profiles also have the dimensional stability to resist splitting and warping due to extreme temperature fluctuations. In application, steel frame profiles will remain straight and true over time. This makes for an enduring, dimensionally stable balcony framing solution that provides a reliable foundation for the surface material, i.e. deck boards or tile. 

Comprehensive steel frame systems offer a straightforward installation process

To construct a steel balcony, contractors and builders can turn to the Evolution steel deck framing system from Fortress Building Products. No specialized tools required, the interlocking joist and ledger system provides a straightforward installation process that looks and feels like traditional wood framing. Some argue that using a steel deck framing system is actually easier than working with the time-honored building material. After all, framing a steel balcony using Fortress® Evolution eliminates the hassle of planing the lumber or applying joist tape, both of which add time and labor costs to a job.

Taking direct feedback from contractors who have used Evolution for years, the advanced deck framing system features 5.5” x 5.5” posts that are 20 feet in length. This makes it possible to build a strong and dependable balcony structure with more usable space underneath for the owner or tenant who lives below. To increase its safety factor, Fortress® Evolution received a Class A fire rating after completing the ASTM E84-21a, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. A noncombustible balcony framing solution, Evolution is a smart choice for projects located in regions vulnerable to wildfires or densely populated urban areas where fire spread is a concern.

Next steps

Want to capitalize on the proven performance of Fortress® Evolution on a steel balcony project? Reach out to your local Fortress Building Products rep today or check out our Where to Buy page to locate a dealer near you.