Glass Balustrades & Glass Balconies


Also knows as: “Glass Rail” or “Glass Barrier”

What is it about glass balconies that everyone is fussing about?
What’s wrong with the traditional wrought iron railings?

In the following Q & A Mr. Effi Wolff Managing Director and founder of the UK branch of Balcony Systems Solutions Limited, he explains what everyone is hyped up about and why Balcony Systems proprietary glass balustrade system fits the bill.

Why is everyone asking for glass balconies?

"Well I think people have realized that glass is the perfect product, it’s strong enough to resist impact and stresses, it is highly aesthetic and it complements almost all other materials it goes together with."

So you think it is a superior product to wrought iron rails?
"I of course am biased, but I am sure in general people prefer the clean look of glass to the “cage” like appearance of the traditional railings".

Even with glass there are many options, are there not?

"Yes, but I would try to say there are mainly three categories:

  1. Structural Glass systems which employ very thick glass and do not use vertical metal posts.
  2.  Posted systems which use “glass clamps” or “plugs” and will have a post every metre or so and…
  3. The Balcony Glass Balustrade System which can in some instances be applied with no vertical supports, and if required they are not very frequent, that is every two metres or so, and when vertical members are present they are clean and have no “Mickey mouse” clamps or plugs."

Now you have confused me, what’s “Structural glass”?"Structural glass means the glass is the “structure” and the actual resistance to people, wind and pressure is being taken up through the glass. The glass is cantilevered from the bottom. The main advantage to structural glass is that in all cases it will not have any vertical posts, the main downsides are that it imposes a great stress on the structure both in weights and load and off course it is very dear.”

Here are some pictures of structuralGlass Balustrades we have supplied to a project in Jersey. Note there are no verticalposts.

That looks very similar to your company’s product though?"It does, as in some cases our glass balustrades do not require any posts. In those cases they look very similar."Why would you recommend your glass balustrade product as opposed to structural glass then?
"First because it’s my job to; but seriously from customer feedback we have learned that the price of our system is between half to a third of the cost of structural glass, yet the end result is very similar. One important aspect is future replacement of glass panels. This is very difficult with structural glass, whereas with the Balcony balustrade system it is very easy."

Here are some pictures of Balcony system Glass Balustrades we have supplied to a project in Bognor Regis. On the balconies we were able to make the glass balustrades without any vertical posts and use 10mm glass.

Can you give me an idea of market prices for the three categories you mentioned?

"Wellfrom my experience:

  • The traditional “posted” system, with 10mm clear toughened glasses, will cost approximately £350-£450 per linear metre in stainless steel.
  • Structural glass balustrade system, with 15mm clear toughened glasses, will cost approximately £700-£950 per linear metre
  • We sell our Balcony system glass balustrade, with 10mm clear toughened glasses, at close to £300 a metre."
Does weight pose a factor when choosing a system?
Can you give me an idea of what weight factor the three categories impose?

"Weight can in many instances be an important element; particularly on “cantilevered” balconies as on these the weight becomes a critical factor in calculating the “reaction load” of the balcony structure.  In any case an axiom is the more weight the more structure to counter the weight.

  • The traditional “posted” system, with 10mm clear toughened glasses, will weight appx: 40-50 kg per metre.
  • Structural glass balustrade system, with 15mm clear toughened glasses, will weight appx: 70-80 kg per metre.  (Depending largely on what is used to “clamp” the glass, this may be more.
  • Balcony system glass balustrade, with 10mm clear toughened glasses, will weight appx: 30 kg per metre. "

For more information on the Balcony Balustrade System including their online quoting system/shop, technical data and installation guides and videos you can visit : www.Balconette.co.uk



Money Back Guarantee

Balcony Systems
Web Purchase
Money Back Guarantee

Learn more...


Balcony News

  • Half Price on Self Cleaning Glass

    50% off the self-cleaning glass coating on our Glass Balustrades, Custom Glass Juliet Balconies and our Curved Glass Patio Doors.

  • Glass Juliet Balconies from £178

    Glass Juliet Balconies now cost less than traditional steel ones - Costing from just £178, elegant Glass Juliet balconies are one of the most affordable balustrading solutions.

  • BalcoNano Introductory Offer

    Balcony Systems is now offering BalcoNano® DIY application packs for Balcony Systems' customers at a super introductory price >>

  • BalcoNano® website launched

    BalcoNano DIY self cleaning glass application packs for glass balustrades, glass doors and windows, kitchen tops, ceramic tiles and car windshield.

  • Balcony Systems reports record sales in 2011

    We can report record sales throughout 2011 on our entire range of products; glass balustrading, Juliet balcony and curved patio doors - despite the tough economic times.

  • Customer Video Competition is launched

    Balcony Systems is delighted to announce the launch of this year’s satisfied customer Video Competition.

  • Maintain your self-cleaning glass for years

    Maintenance and cleaning guidelines for self cleaning glass and coated glass surfaces.

  • Sea more with Balcony Systems

    Replacing an old wrought iron balcony with a glass and aluminium one to achieve clear sea views with much lower maintenance >>

  • How to "French" an English window

    Full height first floor doors have become more English despite their origin across the channel in France.

  • Internal balustrade adds ‘wow’ factor

    Home design consultant Alexa Collins chose glass and aluminium balustrading from Balcony Systems to make a dramatic, light-enhancing statement inside her self-build five-bed Buckinghamshire home.

Blog

Customer Reviews

  • Balcony Systems curved patio doors are a wow
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    The curved patio doors and windows are a real wow feature on our new build home. The whole house was designed around these doors and everyo...

  • My Juliette Balcony
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    I love my Juliette balcony. It provides an unobstructed view with no ugly brackets, unlike others I have seen. The glass is self-cleaning, w...

  • Just love our curved patio doors
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    We visited the Grand Designs show in Birmingham for inspiration for our new build home. After seeing the Curved Patio Doors on the Balcony S...

  • my refurbishment
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    I found the product easy to install, it finishes off my design well, not only do I get a clear view of my garden from my bedroom but as an a...

  • Great Juliet Balcony
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    Just felt I would let you know how delighted we are with our Juliette balcony. It is everything we hoped it would be, and has added a new di...

  • Custom Juliette for The Hive, Milton Keynes
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    Due to the size of our bay we had to order a custom size Juliette. Delivery was earlier than expected and Product quality is superb. We had ...

  • Excellent Quality Balconies
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    Website was fantastic, gave all the ideas and designs we were loking for, we love the contempory look of the Juliette Balcony, giving more l...

  • Juliette balcony
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    This product was the ideal, maintaining the view through the window whilst provide a stylish safety feature. We were able to install it ours...

  • Bronze glass balcony
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    we found the product purchased to be of a high quality and to be easy to install dispite the added complication of fitting into random natur...

  • Annedd Wen Balustrade
    rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

    easy Installation, minimum maintenance, looks great!! Had difficulty in sourcing exactly what I wanted - found it with balconette. Quality c...