Gutjahr addresses accessibility gaps in residential balconies and terraces

Despite modern building standards promoting barrier-free access, high door thresholds remain a pervasive issue in existing residential properties. A recent industry survey commissioned by Gutjahr Systemtechnik indicates that three-quarters of homeowners continue to face these 15 cm barriers, a figure that has remained stagnant over the last five years. These obstacles present significant safety risks and limit the ability of aging residents to remain in their homes.

Technically, lowering these thresholds is constrained by DIN 18040 and the waterproofing requirements of DIN 18531. According to CEO Ralph Johann, simply removing a threshold is insufficient, as it necessitates a highly reliable drainage system to prevent structural water damage. Standard solutions, such as gravel beds or slotted box channels, often lack the capacity to meet these rigorous standards during heavy rainfall.

Gutjahr promotes the use of specialized drainage systems, such as the AquaDrain BF-Flex, designed to facilitate water evacuation away from door seals. The company emphasizes the importance of hydraulic performance, citing internal tests which show significant variability in water removal rates across different industrial drainage products.

To provide quality assurance, the manufacturer has introduced a six-year functional guarantee on the water discharge performance of its systems, promising a capacity of at least 1.1 liters per second per meter at a 1% gradient. This performance-based approach aims to mitigate liability risks for contractors while addressing the long-term maintenance requirements of building owners.