The Glass House, London, UK

Project Overview

The Glass House is a contemporary residential development in Putney, London, designed by Hut Architecture. The project combines expansive glazing with refined structural detailing, creating a light-filled, design-led home within a constrained urban setting.

However, the external terrace required remediation works following the identification of non-compliant timber decking that did not meet required fire performance standards. The presence of combustible materials in this location created elevated safety and compliance risks, particularly given the terrace’s proximity to the building’s external wall system.

The project therefore shifted from a purely aesthetic specification to a safety-led remediation project. It required the replacement of combustible timber decking with a non-combustible solution capable of meeting current regulatory expectations while preserving the architectural intent.

Dura Composites supported the project by supplying Dura Deck Aluminium Free-Drain, delivering a compliant, durable and free-draining decking solution aligned with both the building’s contemporary design and current fire safety standards.

The removal of combustible timber decking and installation of a non-combustible aluminium system ensures these critical external areas now meet current fire safety expectations while providing a long-life, low-maintenance solution.

The Compliance and Engineering Challenge

The original timber decking presented: fire compliance concerns, ongoing maintenance requirements, and durability limitations in exposed conditions.

Given the regulatory environment surrounding residential buildings (particularly in dense urban areas), the replacement system needed to provide verified fire performance and long-term durability, while maintaining the visual quality. Key requirements included:

• A non-combustible decking solution
• Compliance with BS EN 13501-1:2018 fire classification standards
• A sleek, contemporary finish to complement the façade
• Effective drainage to prevent standing water
• High slip resistance in exposed external conditions
• Lightweight construction to simplify installation

In addition, the project programme was tight. Dura’s rapid response times supported the installer in maintaining momentum on site, particularly where minor variations required quick adaptations during installation. This collaborative approach helped keep the remediation programme moving while ensuring the final solution remained fully compliant.

A Non-Combustible, Free-Draining Solution

To meet these requirements, Dura Composites supplied Dura Deck Aluminium Free-Drain.

Dura Deck Aluminium achieves an A2fl-s1 fire rating, independently classified to BS EN 13501-1:2018. This makes it compliant with UK and EU government recommendations and suitable for residential buildings where non-combustible materials are required.

The Free-Drain profile allows water to pass efficiently through the deck surface, reducing the risk of pooling and supporting safe use in wet conditions — an important consideration for elevated residential terraces.

The aluminium construction provides a slim yet robust double-skin profile, maintaining the architectural lightness of the design while delivering structural integrity and long-term reliability.

Unlike timber decking, which often requires significant maintenance and periodic replacement, aluminium decking offers a far longer service life with minimal upkeep. Dura Deck Aluminium provides a 60-year life expectancy and comes with a 30-year manufacturer warranty, with little maintenance required beyond routine cleaning. This significantly reduces whole-life costs while ensuring the terrace remains safe, compliant and visually consistent for decades.

The deck boards also incorporate an anti-slip surface designed to retain grip in both wet and dry conditions, enhancing occupant safety. The lightweight aluminium construction further supported efficient installation during the remediation works, helping the installer complete the replacement programme quickly while limiting disruption.

Delivered with Architectural Integrity

Despite being a remedial intervention, the project team ensured the replacement deck enhanced rather than compromised the original design vision. The precision-engineered aluminium boards provided a refined, contemporary finish while delivering verified fire safety and dependable long-term performance. The result is a compliant external terrace solution that restores confidence in both safety and durability.

The Glass House project demonstrates how remedial works can strengthen both safety and design. By replacing non-compliant timber decking with Dura Deck Aluminium Free-Drain, the team achieved a solution that delivers verified fire performance, long-term durability and a refined architectural finish.

Jack Francis

Client Success Manager at Dura Composites

Our Specialists

Our innovative fire-rated products are designed specifically to support remedial and new-build construction. Talk to our experienced team about how you can tap into our specialist knowledge and engineering capability for your project.