Soffit Design in Multi-Storey Developments: More Than Just Aesthetic

While soffits are often seen as a finishing detail, their role in multi-storey residential and mixed-use buildings goes far beyond aesthetics. In fact, soffit systems are central to ensuring safe drainage, fire performance, and structural coherence — especially when retrofitting or working on high-rise schemes.

At AliDeck, we’ve engineered our soffit solutions to solve multiple challenges in one system, helping our customers streamline balcony construction while meeting strict compliance standards.

Effective water management is essential on any balcony, especially in stacked configurations. Inadequate drainage leads to staining, water ingress, and long-term structural issues. Our AliClad Flow system integrates soffits and drainage into one compact, efficient solution — channelling rainwater safely to outlet points and away from the building fabric.

This integrated approach simplifies installation, reduces the need for multiple trades, and helps maintain the integrity of the structure over time. For developers and housing associations, that translates to fewer maintenance issues and satisfied residents.

Post-Hackitt Report, the regulations now demand A2-s1, d0-rated materials on external walls of buildings over 11 metres. This includes balcony soffits — an area that has historically been overlooked.

Our aluminium soffit panels, finished in-house to Qualicoat standards using Class 2 powders, meet and exceed these benchmarks — ensuring that the underside of balconies doesn’t become a weak point in your building’s fire strategy. This has become particularly important on remediation sites, where fire engineers are calling for fully non-combustible balcony solutions, including all under-deck materials.

Architects and designers appreciate the visual consistency our soffit solutions provide. With a wide range of colour options to match decking and balustrades, AliDeck soffits allow seamless transitions between materials — helping balconies blend with building façades.

Our systems also use concealed fixings to ensure clean lines and smooth installation. This creates a premium finish, particularly important in larger developments, housing associations, and higher-end residential schemes.

Whether you’re designing from scratch or remediating existing balconies, soffit design is a detail that can’t be left to chance.

Book a design consultation or factory tour to learn more. Contact us on info@alideck.co.uk