Should hollowcore plank be used in an exterior application for balcony sections in the high-rise building I am designing?
Residential construction is an ideal application for hollowcore plank. However, we are all familiar with the hot, humid summers and the cold, wet winters of the mid-Atlantic region. There is the potential for problems due to water infiltration and subsequent freeze/thaw damage in the hollow cores when used in an external application. All MAPA precasters of hollowcore plank recommend that you specify that the cores be filled for the balcony area or plan for that piece(s) to be solid slab section. This is easily and commonly manufactured for high-rise residential projects.
