French balconies - hot-dip galvanized steel

French balconies made of galvanized steel: safety meets facade design

A French balcony primarily serves as fall protection for floor-to-ceiling windows and doors on upper floors. Beyond its essential safety function, it acts as a striking design element that significantly enhances the appearance of the building facade. Kirchberger Metall's galvanized steel constructions offer an ideal combination of structural robustness, long-lasting corrosion protection, and aesthetic flexibility. These fall protection systems can be precisely adapted to the architectural style of any building and offer a timeless, metallic look.

The hot-dip galvanizing process: All-round technical protection

To permanently protect steel against corrosion, we rely on the hot-dip galvanizing process. In this process, the finished component, after thorough chemical pre-cleaning, is immersed in a bath of liquid zinc at a temperature of approximately 450 °C. Unlike simple coatings, this creates an inseparable metallurgical bond between the zinc and the steel. This process ensures that even hard-to-reach areas, welds, and cavities are completely encased, resulting in an extremely durable protective layer.

Material advantages: Why galvanized steel is the optimal choice

Since French balconies are constantly exposed to the elements, this protection against oxidation is crucial. Hot-dip galvanizing offers specific technical advantages in this regard:

• Decades of corrosion protection:The zinc layer reliably protects the steel from rust for many years, even under harsh environmental conditions.
• Economy:Galvanized steel represents a cost-effective solution compared to stainless steel, without compromising on static safety.
• Self-healing effect (cathodic protection):A particular advantage is the zinc's reaction as a sacrificial anode. Minor scratches or mechanical damage do not immediately lead to rust, as the surrounding zinc layer chemically protects the exposed steel.
• High mechanical strength:The alloyed surface is extremely hard and resistant to impacts or abrasion during assembly and use.

Mounting options: Surface-mounted or in the reveal

There are two primary technical approaches for the professional installation of fall protection systems, which are chosen depending on the structural situation:

• Supervisory Assembly:The railing is attached directly to the masonry, parallel to the facade and at a defined distance. This is the most common method for a striking visual presence.
• Installation in the reveal:The balcony is anchored to the walls on the left and right sides within the window opening (reveal). This option often appears more discreet and integrated.

For safety, it is important to use building code-approved fasteners that are precisely matched to the respective anchoring substrate (e.g. concrete or brick) in order to permanently guarantee load-bearing capacity.

Versatility and individual customization

Every construction project has its own dimensional requirements. Kirchberger Metall therefore offers French balconies in custom lengths. In addition to classic balustrade components, the product range also includes modern variations such as models withLaser-cut decorations.