The new website for the BalcoNano DIY sachets  is now live and we invite you to visit: www.BalcoNano.com

A super introductory price

We are offering Balcony Systems’ customers a super introductory price!

Only £10 for a set of 5 sachets – that’s 5 square meters worth of coating (valid until Sunday 5th Feb) – worth a try!

Go to shop: www.balconano.com/Shop.aspx

The  new website is solely focused on the new BalcoNano® self-application glass coating process that transforms ordinary glass into self-cleaning glass.

The introduction of this easy-to-apply DIY sachet solution follows the huge success of our unique, patented factory-applied coating across our entire range of modern glass balconies, glass Juliet balconies and curved patio doors.

Protecting glass, keeping it new and clean

BalcoNano® works at a nano-scale level – a nanometre is one millionth of a millimetre – to form a hard, clear coating that leaves a super-smooth surface on the glass. It transforms the dirt-trapping microscopic pits, peaks and valleys of the underlying glass surface into one that is water-repellent or hydrophobic.

Water that comes in contact with the coated glass curls into droplets that quickly roll away, so any dirt, grime or deposits wash off easily to keep the glass surface looking new and cleaner for longer.

“Having achieved tremendous success and high levels of customer satisfaction with our pre-applied revolutionary coating, it was clear there was a demand from our customers, dealers and installers for an answer to protecting already-installed glass,” explains Balcony Managing Director, Effi Wolff.

“As customers started to recognise the immense benefit of our self-cleaning glass coating that dramatically reduces cleaning cycles, we rose to the challenge in creating the BalcoNano® sachets system. It meets this obvious market need for a convenient on-site application, which also works for other glass products and elements so these too can enjoy the protective advantages of the coating,” he continues.

Applied in minutes

Intensive research and effort was placed on creating a retro fit solution as we adapted our factory-applied coating so that BalcoNano® can now be applied to glass that is already installed using a two-part sachet process – a special glass cleaner and the BalcoNano® coating. Each sachet contains a pre-soaked towelette ready for immediate use.

Designed for use by the homeowner or professionals alike, the unique coating can be applied in minutes to existing glass in doors and windows, conservatories, shower enclosures and much more.

Because the coating chemistry works just as well on other silica-based products such as ceramics, porcelain, marble and stone, the sachets can be used to apply the coating to kitchen tops, sinks, ceramic tiles and many other areas.

Effi adds: “The BalcoNano® glass coating offers an eco-friendly and durable solution that literally pays for itself; both in saved cleaning frequency and time, plus in eliminating the need for use of expensive chemical cleaners.”

Positive customer feedback

Customer feedback on the BalcoNano® glass coating has been extremely positive, with many homeowners commenting on much lower maintenance needed. Bryan and Melanie Heslop from Tyne and Wear, said: “Our Juliette balcony overlooks the sea, so the self-cleaning glass means lower maintenance and less cleaning because of the salt air.”

Adrian and Catrin Hughes from West Wales, reported: “We have noticed a difference with the self-cleaning glass coating. Our Juliette balcony keeps a lot cleaner compared to the windows and we keep the countryside views.”

Brett and Helena James from Margate, Kent, said: “Despite being close to the sea, we’ve not had to clean the self-cleaning glass panels in the eight months since the balcony was installed.”

Paul and Margaret Ratcliffe from Sheffield, commented: “We specified self-cleaning coated glass as it really does work; there’s a noticeable difference compared to normal glass. It stays much cleaner as the water runs off it quickly. Being glass, the balcony lets in plenty of light and keeps the garden views.”

Peter Morley from Taunton, Somerset, reported: “The self-cleaning glass does stay very clean. In the four months since the Juliette balcony was installed, I’ve not had to clean it.”

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.”

We are now encouraging customers who have ordered with us in the past to enter this year’s competition and get the chance to win a new Apple iPhone 4S worth £599.

We want to show just how happy our customers really are!

How to participate

Send us a short video clip showing you and your installed product – whether it’s a Balustrade, Juliet balcony or Curved door – with a brief message about the product or Balcony Systems or both.

Tell us why you chose us or the system. Did you receive good service? Are you happy with the result? What do you like best about it?

We think a video testimonial is a wonderful way to show our products and services; that’s why we want to hear from you.

The competition closes at midnight on December 31st 2011.

The judging process will begin in January when the lucky winner of a brand new Apple iPhone 4S (32GB) worth £599 will be announced.

Please click here to read the competition’s terms and conditions.

Every accepted entry will also receive a complimentary 5-set pack of BalcoNano® self-cleaning glass sachets worth £25

To participate all you have to do is:

1. Make a short video clip (30 – 120 seconds) as described above.
2. Fill in your entry and upload the video on our competition entry page.
3. You will receive an email confirmation of your entry submission.

Good luck and we look forward to seeing your videos!

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.”

Initially it is important to stress to never use harsh cleaners or chemicals on your treated/coated surfaces as it may damage the coating and the underlying surface.

How does the coating work?

When viewed under a microscope, standard glass actually has a pitted surface to which water, lime scale and soap scum can latch to. This builds up with everyday weather and environmental elements. The glass will then require regular cleaning and scrubbing just to keep them clear, clean and hygienic.

Taking its inspiration from plants, our coating forms an invisible and smooth Nano (measured in nano-metres) shield. This shield prevents the collection and building up of dirt and grime.

The hydrophobic (water repelling) properties of the coating cause water to run off freely, washing away residue and dirt as it goes.

Better for the environment

This coating is truly eco-friendly. In a manner of speaking, water and rain does the cleaning for you, so it’s more hygienic and with fewer bacteria there’s NO need for harsh chemical cleaners – which is a viable way to stop this horrid chemical pollution and is kind to the environment

Similar to the way Teflon®-coated cooking pans make cleaning easier, our coating dramatically reduces the cleaning required, making it less of a burden and less frequent.

If you follow the maintenance tips below will ensure many years of satisfaction from this wonderful coating.

Care and maintenance

Cleaning method: Wet the surface and use a nylon sponge to wipe it down, rubbing in a circular motion. You should feel any ‘sticky’ places becoming smooth again. Then rinse or spray the surface with clean water, let the water drain off and wipe dry.

Maintenance and care vary substantially according to the type of application (treated surface type and location/exposure) and the abrasion which the treated material is exposed to. Abrasion means any mechanical (such as windshield wiper on an automobile) or non-mechanical force (such as wind or dust) affecting the treated product. Thus, an exterior architectural glass structure exposed to all kinds of weather conditions will require much different maintenance and care than an interior application.

While our coating does make treated surfaces water and oil repellent, stain and scratch resistant, among other properties, and lasts for a long period of time (years in most cases), maintenance time is guaranteed to be reduced, depending on the application, by as much as 50% and up to 90% AND eliminates the need for any harsh, expensive and toxic chemical cleaning sprays.

Once treated with the coating, will I still need to clean the surface?

Our coating reduces cleaning time but it does not eliminate it entirely. It is similar to the development of non-stick cooking pans. While you can cook food in uncoated pans, it is so much easier to clean if you cook with non-stick pans. While you still must maintain your glass with a coated surface, the time and effort required are significantly reduced.

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.”