Freeze-Thaw & Cold Weather Performance of Sapphire Balconies – Whitepaper

Why is understanding Freeze-Thaw & Cold Weather Performance important?

Sapphire has been supplying and installing balconies for many years and has amassed a large amount of knowledge and experience in effective balcony solutions to increasing demand for improved thermal performance, off-site prefabrication and reduced structural loadings which are key needs in the North American markets, particularly Canada.

As part of their global expansion plans, they have been studying the very different climate experienced in North America ( in particular Canada) and have elected to undergo a series of independent testing to demonstrate to Canadian architects and structural engineers the effects of the North American winters on the balcony structures provided by Sapphire.

This Whitepaper summarizes an experimental program undertaken by Sapphire and their development partners to assess the balcony system response to snow and ice accumulation – two phenomena that must be expected during Canadian winters. While the tests were not exhaustive, Sapphire has assessed the results and has concluded that the cold weather performance of the system is satisfactory, but would be very happy to engage with further inquiries and discussion with industry bodies as appropriate.

What’s included in the Freeze-Thaw & Cold Weather Performance Whitepaper?

This study was commissioned to fill in some knowledge gaps, specifically to:

1. Assess how the balcony system responded to some of the unique climatic conditions of some of the colder regions of the North American market, specifically with regard to snow and ice.
2. Support the development of best practice design guidance for balcony designers, architects and structural engineers.
3. Demonstrate the cold weather performance of the Sapphire balconies to other interested parties including building owners and code officials.