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Hello,
I want to replace the concrete balustrades with aluminium balustrades but I am unable to do so because the concrete balustrades are bolted into asbestos columns 
The only thing I could do is "dress" the concrete balustrades up a bit to make them less dated by installing vertical timber slats on top of the concrete handrails and hanging some faux plants and flowers to improve their aesthetics in a Hampton style.
Are there anything I could use to fix/glue the vertical timber slats on top of the concrete handrails without touching the asbestos columns?
I've attached an inspo pic (vertical timber slats were installed below the balustrades which is opposite of what I want to achieve) and current balustrades.
Current balustrades are only 900mm which arent compliant so installing some vertical timber slats on top of the handrails will make it compliant 
Hi @Beginner20,
Installing vertical timber slats directly to the side of the concrete handrail would be tricky, as there's not a great deal of surface area to fix them securely, especially if they’re intended to add height for compliance. For a more stable solution, you could consider boxing in the existing concrete handrail with timber. This involves attaching vertical timber boards to both the inside and outside faces of the concrete, using a strong construction adhesive like Sikaflex 11FC or Liquid Nails Landscape and fixings, and then placing a horizontal timber cap across the top to form a solid timber sleeve. This new structure provides a secure surface to screw additional vertical slats into, allowing you to extend their height above the original balustrade while staying clear of the asbestos columns. It also gives you much more flexibility in terms of design, making it easier to create that vertical slat look and space them close enough to meet the standard 100mm gap requirement.
If you wanted to take the design further, you could even run the slats downward from the timber cap to the balcony floor to cover the existing columns entirely, giving it a completely fresh appearance and potentially assisting further with compliance. I'd just point out that the current gap between the columns appears like it far exceeds requirements, but you might be intending to bring the vertical slatting down to the surface beneath.
I've created the below rendering to illustrate.
Given that you're working around asbestos and the great importance of not disturbing it, I highly recommend you enlist the services of a professional for this job.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Thank you @MitchellMc
I love your brilliant idea about installing the slats from the balcony floor!
I am thinking of glueing the QuickBoard 210 x 21mm 4.8m Arctic White Castellated PVC Composite Timber Wall and Ceiling Lining Board - 4 Pack on the balustrades. Do you think it'll work?
Is this composite used for outdoor as well or just indoor? If indoor only, do you know other products could be used outdoor? VJ panels?
I am thinking of something like this but for outdoor
Hi @Beginner20,
The QuickBoard 210 x 21mm 4.8m Arctic White Castellated PVC Composite Timber Wall and Ceiling Lining Boa...can be used for that purpose and is suitable for outdoors. You will need sufficient mounting points on the balustrade, which can be created by timber framing.
There are other products, such as the James Hardie 2700 x 1200 x 7.5mm 3.24m² Hardie Groove Lining which could be used to clad this area.
What you've shown in the image now would be a custom installation. I think it would look best if you used a product like the Quickboard or VJ panel that you can't see through and that obscures the columns behind.
Mitchell
I'd suggest using H3-treated pine @Beginner20. Painting it will also give it an additional layer of protection. The timber frames can be glued to the concrete balustrade with something like Liquid Nails Landscape, but it would be a good idea to incorporate some mechanical fixings like Dynabolts for extra strength.
Mitchell
Thank you @MitchellMc
Although the asbestos specialist told me that the concrete balustrades don't have asbestos but I am still in doubt as the columns have asbestos, so I am not going to drill anything into them.
I'd prefer to just use the liquid nails to glue the frame into the balustrades just to be safe
Is there any other product than Dynabolts that I could use in addition to liquid nails?
Hi @Beginner20
If you are not keen on drilling into the balustrades one other method that comes to mind is to place another piece of timber on the other side of the balustrades and joining them together with a nut and bolt connection, basically sandwiching the balustrades between two pieces of timber. I suggest using a galvanized nut and bolt along with washer so that it can withstand outdoor use. The length of the bolt will depend on the distance between the timber pieces and along with the thickness of the timber.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @Beginner20
Using a combination of @MitchellMc's materials for both framing and cladding, and @EricL idea of "sandwiching" either side, the design plan could look something like below. It would be a good idea which ever the final design is to check compliance with your local building authority.
I've also including a few photos of the same frame build in your last photo I made using hardwood.
Nailbag
