Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
As most balconies and walkways will be constructed with concrete elements, proper protection from weathering and water is vital for their strength and durability. When water penetrates concrete, it can cause points of weakness – detrimental to the safe use of balconies and walkways. As a solution to these issues, Sika have developed various balcony flooring systems, which are also suitable for walkways and terraces. Sika pride themselves in their advanced flooring technology. It’s no surprise then they offer a 10-year to 20-year guarantee with their Sikafloor Balcony Waterproofing and Fast Curing systems to ensure their customers receive the best flooring solutions.
Read on below for the specifics on these Balcony Flooring Systems. Always refer to Sika’s datasheets for additional details on the application process.
Quick Links
Sikafloor Balcony Waterproofing Systems
SikaFloor Balcony Refurbishment System
Sikafloor Balcony Ultra Fast Cure Systems
Sikafloor Balcony Waterproofing Systems
Sika have devised three different ETAG approved waterproofing systems for balconies, terraces and walkways. To achieve an increased cure rate for the flooring systems described below, a PU accelerator can be added so these systems can be used in cold weather conditions.
The three waterproofing systems are available in four RAL colours: RAL 7015, RAL 7032, RAL 7042 and RAL 7047.
Sika recommends that original colour samples are requested to ensure the correct RAL colour is chosen.
Sikafloor Balcony 10 System
The Sikafloor Balcony 10 build-up system consists of 5 layers. The total system thickness will be 1.5-5mm. Sikafloor Balcony 10 comes with a 10-year guarantee* from Sika.
As a primer, use Sika Bonding Primer to seal the surface and allow uniform absorbency of the subsequent coatings. Sika Bonding Primer is rapid curing and versatile in its compatibility with other specialist Sika coating systems.
As a first coat and second coat, use Sikafloor 405. Sikafloor 405 is a one-part, highly elastic, waterproof and UV-resistant polyurethane resin coating. As a moisture triggered and solvent containing coating, this product is exceptionally suited as a crack-bridging coating for concrete, cementitious screed substrates. Sika recommend using the membrane Sika Reemat Premium in between the first and second Sikafloor 405 coating. The Reemat Premium is a glass fibre reinforcement mat to provide additional system strength and longevity.
Use Sikafloor 415 as a seal coat. Sikafloor 415 is a coloured, aliphatic polyurethane sealer, providing a waterproof, non-yellowing finish.
System Build-Up Overview:
Primer: Sika Bonding Primer
First coat: Sikafloor 405
Membrane: Sika Reemat Premium
Second coat: Sikafloor 405
Seal coat: Sikafloor 415
Total system thickness: 1.5 – 5mm
Sikafloor Balcony 15 System
The Sikafloor Balcony 15 build-up system consists of 6 layers. The total system thickness will be 3-4mm. The Sikafloor Balcony 15 system comes with a 15-year guarantee* from Sika.
The build-up is very similar to the Balcony 10 system. Start with the Sika Bonding Primer to ensure all subsequent coatings are uniformly absorbed. Then follow up with a coat of Sikafloor 405. The high elastic coating will bridge cracks and provide a UV-resistant layer. After this coating, use Sika Reemat Premium. The membrane will add extra system strength to the system build-up and will also help with crack bridging. It is also easily moulded around protrusions, corners or joints. Then use a second and third coating of Sikafloor 405. The additional coatings will allow for an even stronger system build-up than the Balcony 10 system. Finish with a seal coat of Sikafloor 415, a slip, weather and abrasion resistant coating.
System Build-Up Overview:
Primer: Sika Bonding Primer
First coat: Sikafloor 405
Membrane: Sika Reemat Premium
Second coat: Sikafloor 405
Third coat: Sikafloor 405
Seal coat: Sikafloor 415
Total system thickness: 3 – 4mm
Sika Balcony 20 System
The Sikafloor Balcony 20 system consists of five different layers. The total system thickness will be around 2mm plus the tile or paver used to finish the system. The Sikafloor Balcony 20 system comes with a 20-year guarantee* from Sika.
Start with a coating of Sika Bonding Primer to prepare the substrate for the all subsequent layers. Then follow with a coating of Sikafloor 405. This crack bridging coating for concrete, cementitious screed substrates and tiles is exceptionally suitable to use for balconies and terraces. Use the membrane Sika Reemat Premium for system strength, longevity and crack bridging. Due to its composition, the glass fibre reinforced matting will provide multidirectional strength and it will also adapt to most shapes and profiles on the substrate surface. After the membrane, use a second coating of Sikafloor 405. Use tiles or pavers as a final layer.
System Build-Up Overview:
Primer: Sika Bonding Primer
First coat: Sikafloor 405
Membrane: Sika Reemat Premium
Second coat: Sikafloor 405
Seal coat: Tiles / pavers
Total system thickness: 2mm
SikaFloor Balcony Refurbishment System
For balconies, terraces or walkways in need of a refurbishment rather than a completely new build-up system, Sika have devised a three-layer, weather resistant system to improve longevity and rejuvenate surfaces. The system is available in five RAL colours: RAL 7030, RAL 7032, RAL 7035, RAL 7037 and RAL 7040.
The Sikafloor Balcony Refurbishment System consists of three different layers. The total system thickness will be around 1-2mm. The Balcony Refurbishment system comes with a 10-year guarantee* by Sika.
Start this build-up with Sika Bonding Primer, a rapid-curing two-component primer to consolidate substrates. It will also enhance the adhesion of subsequent layers of Sikafloor coatings. Use Sikafloor 420 as a first and second coat. Sikafloor 420 is a low-odour balcony resurfacing coating. It offers abrasion, UV and weather resistance.
For cold weather applications, a PU accelerator can be added for increased cure rates.
Sikafloor Balcony Ultra Fast Cure Systems
To eliminate down time, Sika have developed ultra fast curing systems to allow optimal water and weather protection whilst ensuring minimal downtime. We stock the Balcony Flex and Balcony Dynamic Systems. The Ultra Fast Cure Systems are available in four RAL colours: RAL 7001, RAL 7023, RAL 7031, RAL 7035.
Sika recommends that original colour samples are requested to ensure the correct RAL colour is chosen.
Sikafloor Balcony Flex
Their Balcony Flex system consists of three coats. It is slip resistant, suitable for cold weather application, not influenced by external exposure and easy to clean. The total system would be around 1.5-2mm. The Sikafloor Balcony Flex system comes with a 10-year guarantee* from Sika.
As a primer, use Sikafloor 10 Pronto. 10 Pronto is a four-part low viscosity primer. It is based on reactive acrylics resins. It is fast curing, even in lower temperatures and can be applied in substrate and ambient temperatures starting from 0°C. After the primer, use Sikafloor 15 Pronto as a first coat. Sikafloor 15 Pronto is a two-part, fact curing self-smoothing binder, screed and levelling mortar. If required, a Sikafloor Pronto Pigment could be added to Sikafloor 15 Pronto for a coloured finish. Use Sikafloor 18 Pronto as a seal coat. It is a two-part flexible, fast-curing coat. It has good mechanical and chemical resistance, as well as UV-resistance.
System Build-Up Overview:
Primer: Sikafloor 10 Pronto
First coat: Sikafloor 15 Pronto
Seal coat: Sikafloor 18 Pronto
Total system thickness: 1.5 – 2mm
Sikafloor Balcony Dynamic
The Sikafloor Balcony Dynamic system build-up is six layers. The total system is 5-6mm. The Sikafloor Balcony Dynamic system comes with a 10-year guarantee* from Sika. The system offers additional crack bridging compared to the Balcony Flex system.
Use Sikafloor 10 Pronto as a primer. The four-part fast curing primer will ensure enhanced substrate adhesion for the subsequent layers. It can be used on concrete, tiles, asphalt or even steel. As a first coat, use Sikafloor 32 Pronto. This is a two-part PU modified PMMA elastomeric binder. It is used for self-smoothing screed, broadcasted systems and levelling mortars. It offers static crack bridging capacities, fact curing at low temperatures and good mechanical and chemical resistance. As a membrane, use Sika Reemat Premium. The glass fibre reinforced matt will add additional system build-up strength. For a second and third coat, use another coating of Sikafloor 32 Pronto. For the third layer, fill and broadcast Sikafloor 32 Pronto. Finish with a seal coat of Sikafloor 18 Pronto. The fact-curing coat will ensure a UV-resistant finish.
System Build-Up Overview:
Primer: Sikafloor 10 Pronto
First coat: Sikafloor 32 Pronto
Membrane: Sika Reemat Premium
Second coat: Sikafloor 32 Pronto
Third coat: Sikafloor 32 Pronto, (filled) and broadcast
Seal coat: Sikafloor 18 Pronto
Total system thickness: 5 – 6mm
*Guarantees are only offered on projects pre-approved, visited and specified by Sika. Works must be carried out by contractors that have received appropriate Sika training and Sika must be present during the application of a reference area.