Visitors to Balcony Systems’ stand at Grand Designs were so impressed with the transformative effect of the company’s stunning curved patio doors, elegant glass and aluminium balustrades and affordable Juliette balconies that several upgraded their orders as a result of the show.

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.

Renew, replace and refurbish are the three Rs in the UKs self build market. With house prices stangnant refurbishing your home is the trend.

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.”

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

By modifying two standard upstairs windows in their home, that was originally built around a decade ago,  to create French windows with glass Juliette balconies. The Spellmans wanted to take full advantage of the glorious countryside views.

Adding light to a property can transform its appearance, as well as enhancing its use and the general well-being of its occupants. Glass and aluminium Juliette balconies from Balcony Systems help homeowners to achieve these aims, as Nigel and Jo Spelman from Droxford in Hampshire discovered.

Having felt the upstairs living rooms were ‘out of touch’ with the garden and the south-facing views, they decided to cut down the brickwork and let in the light with floor to ceiling glazing. Researching balconies lead them to Balcony Systems and a successful outcome for their project.

“Whether standing or seated our field of vision now extends from our garden below through to the distant horizon and the sky,” says Nigel. “This has improved the look and our use of the house tremendously, particularly as our principal reception rooms are on the first floor. As we were originally planning to have a wrought iron balcony, having seen the excellent result in glass we’re very glad we went down that route.”

He continues: “We are very pleased with the Balcony product and absolutely delighted with how the new full length windows with their glass Juliette balconies have worked out.  We were hoping that the balconies’ aluminium handrails would not appear obtrusive and any concerns have proved unfounded.”

The couple also chose Balcony Systems’ self-cleaning glass coating for both Juliettes and find this a great maintenance-saving bonus in terms of reduced cleaning.

Future plans include an extension at the back of the house with a first-floor sunroom – possibly with curved patio doors – and a sweeping glass-sided veranda with walkway linking the upstairs of the house to the upper level of the garden.

“We shall certainly think of Balcony Systems as a potential supplier for this next and more ambitious phase,” adds Nigel.

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.

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.”

Two 7.38 metre glass and aluminium balconies supplied by Balcony Systems enhance spectacular views overlooking Warfleet Creek and beautiful countryside in Dartmouth.

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/

Balcony Systems returns to Grand Designs Live in May with its market-leading range of stunning curved patio doors, elegant glass and aluminium balustrades and affordable Juliette balconies.

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/

Clear glass Juliette balconies from Balcony Systems, the UK’s leading balustrading supplier, offer a stylish, yet affordable balustrading solution adding instant ‘kerb appeal’ to all types of newbuild homes.

Juliette for a reasonable price

Innovative design using the handrail to support the glass means there are no vertical posts or ugly clamps to obscure the view. With 28 different models available and handrail finishes in white, silver, bronze or Royal Chrome, glass Juliette balconies achieve a clean, contemporary look for a surprisingly reasonable price.

For bulk orders, Balcony Systems can supply standard or bespoke sizes and finishes in a range of RAL colours to suit any client specification and budget.

“Introducing our Juliette balcony to the UK has revolutionised this market, allowing housebuilders and developers to install a niche product for a sensible cost. The beauty of glass, rather than railings, creates a more aesthetically-pleasing and appealing external appearance that helps to sell homes,” says Effi Wolff, Balcony’s Managing Director.

“Our bulk offer is aimed specifically at the newbuild market, enabling purchasers to benefit from a pricing structure tailored to their needs,” he adds.

An important factor

Pierre Borlesi, Managing Director of contractors Novaplus Ltd, ordered 24 Juliettes from Balcony Systems for The Gateway, a two and three-bed apartment complex in Haywood, near Rochdale. Affordability was an important factor in his selection.

“When searching for a glass balcony to meet the project specification, we found Balcony Systems on the internet. It’s a good product at the right price. Everyone is impressed with it, including the architect,” he says.

“As a first-time user of a glass Juliette balcony, we were very pleased with the simplicity, appearance and easy installation of the system. I think we’ll now set up an account,” adds Pierre.

Balcony’s curved patio doors were a key feature in an award-winning spectacular new build project in Lacock, Wiltshire. The high–spec timber-framed stone finish property, worth £1.5 million is on top of a hill, benefiting from amazing views that go on for miles. The aim was to build a traditional stone cottage with natural slate roof at the front and large futuristic curved glass bays at the rear, to take advantage of the 180° panoramic views over the Wiltshire countryside. Curved patio doors were installed to one whole side of the house, top to bottom leading off the living room/kitchen and snug on the ground floor and the master and second bedrooms on the first floor. Curved Juliette balconies, with Royal Chrome anodised aluminium handrails, were installed on the first floor so the patio doors could be opened and views enjoyed in safety. The minimal hand rail, with glass reaching from top to bottom and no clamps between panes means there is nothing to distract the eye. The result is breathtaking.

Balcony joy

It’s not just high spec projects that benefit from our products. Specialist Joinery Company Timberland Windows, Doors and Conservatories installed five Juliette Balconies for a barn conversion near Launceston in Cornwall. The Juliette balconies were installed on French doors on the first floor of the barn and were chosen to give the stone barn a modern, clean look. And Homeowner Dave Cant is enjoying his new balcony with our stylish balustrade installed by a local installer. Mr Cant extended his detached four bedroom property in Aberdeen to create a large open plan living area. The single storey extension was built with a flat, decked roof leading off from the bedrooms and an elegant balustrade installed around the decking area. Installing the balustrade meant Mr Cant could step out in safety and enjoy his nearby river and countryside views.

Our balustrades and balconies exclude intrusive clamps in between the panes of class, leaving a clear expanse of glass from handrail to floor. Our wide range of Juliette balconies now also come with a self cleaning glass coating as standard on both sides of the glass, and is an optional extra for our balustrades.

Proof is in the pudding

Jersey based Pallot Windows Ltd has added around £250,000 to its turnover since becoming a Balcony Systems dealer. Director Paul Bourke explains: “A key benefit of Balcony’s products is that they are straightforward to install, add value to the property and customers like the design – the glass to glass corners, lack of intrusive uprights and clamps, and minimal handrails make it an ideal choice for homeowners wanting to make the most of Jersey’s spectacular views – and so the products are easy to sell.”

Pallot Windows’ recently installed 165 linear metres of balustrade at a new build apartment complex in St Helier. The design called for both Balcony’s curved and straight balustrades with round handrails.

The Window Store, part of the Epwin Group, is the latest to join Balcony’s dealer network following an enquiry for a Juliette balcony. Enquiries continue to come through and the trade supplier has now added Balcony’s Juliettes to its range and marketing material, and

displayed it in some of its showrooms.

To get into this new growth sector visit www.balconette.co.uk or call Lesley Woodcraft on 01342 410411.

The introduction of a self-cleaning glass coating option is proving popular with Juliette balcony and balustrading customers, especially for those living in coastal or city environments, say specialists Balcony Systems.

Applied on both sides of the glass, the patented self clean coating creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime to help keep it looking clean for longer.

This maintenance-reducing benefit was the key reason why Rhian and John Powell Jones chose the Balcony Systems Juliette balcony for their new-build home at Harlech, North Wales.

“The self-cleaning glass definitely influenced our choice of balustrading as our house is in an elevated position overlooking the sea,” comments Rhian. “It’s very windy so we often get fine salty and grainy deposits carried in the air. This glass certainly helps to reduce the amount of cleaning we have to do – leaving us more time to enjoy the view.”

She adds: “Not only does the Juliette balcony look great from the inside and outside, it’s easy to look after too.”

Spectacular sweeping curved glass balconies, supplied and installed by Balcony Systems, provided the bespoke balustrading solution for the multi-million pound Gloucestershire dream home of one of Britain’s leading industrialists.

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.