We welcome 2012 and looking forward to a year of continued recovery for the construction industry in the UK.

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.

Sales volumes across our entire product range by almost 29.2% throughout last year compared to 2010 and reflected consistent growth throughout the 12 months of 2011. End of year sales were particularly strong with November 2011 orders more than double on the same month in 2010.

Since our move to larger premises at Lingfield, Surrey 15 months ago, our workforce has grown by 20% to cope with customer demand and the developing product range.

Managing Director Effi Wolff said the addition of the BalcoNano® unique self-cleaning glass coating option in mid-summer had attracted much interest and contributed to the uplift in business, especially towards the end of the year.

Similarly, the introduction of our Juliet balconies with promotional pricing from under £200, which provide a cost-effective and elegant, low-maintenance balustrading solution, had proved popular with buyers from all sectors. This helped to boost sales of Juliets by a spectacular 70% in 2011.

Effi explained: “Balcony continues to grow, showing consistent 15% year-on-year growth since 2008. We’ve had a tremendous year as more and more architects, builders and self-builders recognised the quality, versatility and affordability of Balcony’s products, as well as their ability to transform properties and add value.

“We are also starting to see the resurrection of larger projects, plus signs of confidence returning to the market; something we have not seen for three years,” he continued. “Business picked up considerably in the final quarter of 2011 and we worked right through the Christmas period in order to fulfil orders for our customers.”

As for 2012, We are predicting another buoyant year with our appearances at both Grand Design Live exhibitions (London & Birmingham) and an Ecobuild debut for our sister company, VBS, in March.

Effi added: “Alongside rising demand from builders and developers, trends show that people are still willing to invest in their homes with many choosing to improve, rather than move house. That’s why we’re experiencing a lot of interest in our products, for both newbuild projects and refurbishment schemes.”

Balcony Systems has reported its best-ever Grand Designs Live 2011 with record levels of enquiries and increased orders from more visitors attending the October consumer home show at Birmingham’s NEC.

Refurbishment projects featured strongly in many quotations for the company’s market-leading range of beautiful glass and aluminium balustrades, affordable Juliette balconies from under £200 and spectacular curved patio doors that transform all types of properties.

“There was very strong interest in both our balustrading and Juliet balcony products, with many serious enquirers ready to go ahead,” commented Balcony Director Lesley Farrow. “Our unique self-cleaning glass coating also attracted much attention, with staff being asked to explain how the smooth surface it creates on the glass keeps the balustrading looking cleaner for longer to reduce maintenance.”

Lesley added: “Overall, it was a tremendously busy and successful three days and we are absolutely delighted with the level of enquiries to follow up, including those for future new build projects and developments.”

The subject of self-cleaning glass in the building industry and on balconies in particular has become a most interesting topic for self builders and architects alike.

Mr. Effi Wolff, Balcony’s MD was asked to bring some like on this topic by the editor of Refurb & Renew magazine.

This article is featured on page 20 and 21 of  the March/April edition of Refurb & Renew magazine.

This can be viewed online at: http://www.wavcoms.co.uk/emags/RRmagazine/2011/RR8926_2011MAR/pageflip.html

Refurb & Renew magazine  is printed with a circulation of 10,900 and it also appears on-line and is emailed to 22,000 named on-line specifiers.

Speaking after the popular Excel 2011 event, General Manager Lesley Woodcraft said: “We had a great response to our stand, securing new orders and closing a number of deals at the show. These included some visitors who purchased more products from us while they were on the stand.”

Property developers, architects and prospective customers thronged the stand, along with current private customers who gave feedback and expressed their satisfaction with existing installations.

“One customer who had ordered one curved patio door and a fixed curved window wanted a quote for three curved patio doors instead. Inquiries also included a Scottish builder wishing to become a Balcony Systems dealer and an architect seeking balustrading. It was a very positive show for us,” added Lesley.

Balcony Systems’ products are innovative and simple to install, opening up limitless design possibilities for all types of new build and refurbishment projects. An optional self-cleaning glass coating is also available across the entire product range of curved patio doors, glass balustrading and Juliette balconies to greatly reduce maintenance.

Replacing an old wrought iron balcony with a glass and aluminium one from Balcony Systems has not only given Ivan Starkey clear sea views with much lower maintenance; it’s also helped to cure his leaking flat roof.

Fixed down with stainless steel brackets and with no clamps to spoil the view, the new 20 metre-long balcony at his Leigh-on-Sea home makes the most of coastal vistas from two living rooms.

Mr. Starkey says: “The old wrought iron balcony’s upright supports were screwed to the roof joists and eventually caused water penetration through hairline gaps. Installing a new balcony has solved this problem.

Ivan adds: “I like everything about the Balcony Systems product; clarity, very light, very nice and so easy to keep clean. There’s no maintenance – an essential factor when living next to the sea – as the balustrade resists the corrosive effects of salt. The service was absolutely fantastic too; I would certainly recommend the company.”

Glass balustrade forms an internal balcony around a central ‘double-height’ area at the back of the house. “It’s the ‘wow factor’ of the house, linking the upstairs and downstairs while reflecting the open-plan nature of the house. I had considered structural glass, but Balcony’s anodised aluminium handrail gives a better feeling of security and matches the interior décor,” says Alexa.

“The balustrade is much-admired by all who see it and people rush up to it. They feel safe leaning over and having a chat. It’s so solid and well put together.”

Alexa surveyed and measured for the balustrade herself, adding: “Balcony’s technical guys were marvellous and their advice made the installation as smooth as possible.”

Paul and Brenda Reach replaced a timber balcony with Balcony Systems’ low-maintenance balustrading, adding a second one above off a new open-plan 24 foot square reception area.

Says Paul: “We got such a good deal from Balcony Systems that we did both to match! We wanted a toughened glass balcony and easily obtained an immediate online quote from their website. It worked for us!

“Balcony’s service was brilliant. They sent a sample balustrade section for our builder to test with the steel beams supporting the balcony and he was very impressed. The balconies are fantastic, transforming the open views from our home, which is on a 45-degree hill. We now get a full view of the river.”

GET QUOTES ONLINE at www.balconette.co.uk/RailingSHOP/

Its stand B124 at Excel from April 30 to May 8 will demonstrate how its innovative and simple-to-install products open up limitless design possibilities for all types of new build and refurbishment projects.

Balcony’s unique system relies on the aluminium handrail to provide all the required strength, so in many cases, straight or curved balustrades require no vertical supports. This allows unobstructed views to the outside and more light inside.

Distinctive curved patio doors combine practicality with panoramic views, transforming buildings with an added ‘wow’ factor. They feature two, three, four or six panels in various sliding or fixed combinations.

An optional self-cleaning glass coating is also available across the entire product range to greatly reduce maintenance.

For more details, contact Balcony www.balconette.co.uk on 01342 410411 or email enquiries@balconette.co.uk.

To order tickets for the show go to: http://www2.seetickets.com/

Spread over seven levels, the 2,800 sq metre futuristic, high-tech property is a fabulous fusion of glass, stone and metal roofing incorporating several self-contained apartments, a swimming pool, winter garden and viewing tower.

Complex design

The former dairy farm site, near Wotton-under-Edge, also contains a second smaller property reflecting Swinhay House’s contemporary style and materials. Both buildings use more than 45 metres of Balcony’s elegant balustrading system, which was specified to meet the projects’ complex design and aesthetic requirements.

As the system relies on the handrail for the necessary strength, the glass balustrades require minimum vertical supports to provide uninterrupted views of Swinhay’s formal gardens, parkland and countryside beyond. Curved and straight 10mm toughened glass panels blend seamlessly and stylishly with the mansion’s extensive glazed elements for maximum visual appeal.

Endless design opportunities

An exciting project, it presented some interesting challenges as Effi Wolff, Balcony’s Managing Director, pointed out: “All the balconies were highly unusual shapes in combinations of convex and concave curves, slopes and cut out of stone work to follow the building’s unique shapes and changing levels. Not one balcony had a 90 degree corner in it!”

Glass balconies with curves of 15 metres or more are achievable without the need for posts – offering endless design opportunities. This is due to the inherent strength of the curve – or arch as seen horizontally – combining even greater support with the handrail to give stunning results.

Structural work was project-managed by Swinhay Developments Ltd whose Managing Director Iain McMurtry praised the versatility of the Balcony system in delivering a highly-effective curved and straight balcony solution for both properties.

“An initial inquiry for two curved glass balconies on the smal

ler estate house led us to specify the Balcony System for four balconies on Swinhay House,” he explained. “We wanted glazed and anodised aluminium balconies and Balcony fitted the bill with a bronze handrail to match the colour scheme. Assistance with surveys and technical design was backed up with excellent service. The whole installation went very smoothly.

“From an installation and contracting perspective, the Balcony system ‘ticks all the boxes’. More cost-effective and simpler to install than a traditional glass balustrade, it performs very well. I am very pleased with the finished product which convincingly achieves the look of a much more expensive system,” added Iain.

Low maintenanca, crystal clear glass

Applied using a special ‘vapour chamber’ process, this unique patented double-sided coating creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime. Protected from the elements on both sides, glass stays looking clean for longer; requiring just the occasional wipe down with a wet cloth.

The innovative coating can also be applied on all colours of glass, including tinted panels, providing an affordable, readily available and convenient extra benefit for architects, specifiers and designers to offer their clients.

Available now across Balcony Systems’ entire product range, including curved patio doors, the self-cleaning glass coating can be specified at the design stage for bespoke projects or supplied on off-the-shelf Juliette balconies.

Fantastic customer feedback

Managing Director Effi Wolff comments: “Introducing this self-cleaning glass coating option has put Balcony Systems firmly at the forefront of innovative and practical balcony solutions. It has generated fantastic customer feedback, as well as growing demand from architects for a distinctive feature to offer their clients.”