Tag-Archive for ◊ Balustrades ◊

Balcony’s self cleaning glass coating featured on “Refurb & renew” magazine:

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.

A recently completed self build project installed 25 metres of balustrade from Balcony Systems to add a perfect finishing touch to Mr Stuart Wilkie’s five bedroom detached property in a secluded corner of Kent. The rear of the house overlooks a lake and miles of fields and open space. It was ideal for building a large terrace which leads off the lounge and central hallway at the back of the property. Balcony’s stunning and stylish balustrade was specifically chosen for the new terrace.

Mr Wilkie comments: “I looked for a balustrade that would complement the modern look and style of the property but also didn’t obstruct the fantastic views. I went along to Grand Designs Live and there I came across Balcony Systems. Immediately I could see their products were different from competing brands. Visually their balustrade is more appealing. I was particular drawn to the clean, sharp finish of their products and the fact there are no ugly clamps in between each pane of glass. Their balustrade is the perfect finish to the terrace.

“An additional benefit,” Mr Wilkie continues, “is that Balcony’s products are simple, quick and straightforward to install. I completed the installation myself with the help of my carpenter and it was done in no time at all. I’m really pleased with the product and the value it adds to my home.”

Balcony’s complete range of balustrades are now available with self cleaning glass coating on both sides of the glass as an optional extra.

Homeowner Dave Cant recently 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, with the help of a local builder, an elegant balustrade from Balcony Systems Ltd installed around the decking area. With views over a nearby river and countryside, installing the balustrade meant Mr Cant could step out in complete safety and enjoy his surroundings. He came across Balcony via the internet and was bowled over by the product.

“I was looking for strength in the product as well as good looks,” explains Mr Cant. “I found out that the strength of Balcony’s balustrade comes from the handrail rather than the fixings so it was possible to have the maximum amount of glass and the minimum number of metal uprights. The handrail, although it is minimal in size, stops the glass from flexing and makes the installation safe as well as stylish.

“I’m delighted with the balustrade – it means we can enjoy our new extension and it adds value to the house. ”

Balcony Systems’ new balustrade brochure is now available to architects, developers, self builders, installers and homeowners.

The four page brochure demonstrates the uniqueness and simplicity of Balcony’s balustrade and what its stunning looks achieves for buildings, from the individual installation to apartment blocks. The balustrade is easy to fit, low maintenance, comes with minimal posts and is free from glass clamps for a clear view from the building out and a stylish look. The hand rail in anodised aluminium ensures longevity and significantly reduces the risk of rust, which is particularly important in coastal environments.

For more information on Balcony’s stunning balustrade, to get a quote or order online visit www.balconette.co.uk/RailingSHOP or call 01342 410 411.

balustrades brochure

Jersey based Balcony dealer Pallot Windows recently installed 165 linear metres of balustrade at a new build apartment complex in St Helier. The development of 18 one and two bedroom apartments and a three bedroom penthouse commenced early 2009 and was completed in June 2010. The design called for both curved and straight balustrades with round handrails from leading supplier Balcony Systems.

The most contemporary and streamlined system

Director of Pallot Windows Paul Bourke, explains: “Choosing Balcony’s balustrade for this project was easy. The product is superior to others as it uses fewer posts and it doesn’t rely on unsightly tabs or clips to hold the glass in place. It is simply the most contemporary and streamlined system on the market. And we know we can rely on Balcony’s staff for technical support if needed.

“The developer, Premier Contracting Ltd, is delighted with the stylish design and most of the apartments are already sold,” says Paul.

At times of great stress when the economy takes a turn for the worse or new regulations force significant changes, companies have innovated, both commercially and technically, to come up with new solutions that attract new customers and new possibilities that extend the market. Right now, system companies, hardware and component companies and fabricators have been active in improving and developing their product range to help their customers maintain their competitive edge. Homeowners have a much wider choice of window styles and colours, a choice of energy efficient windows and a wider choice in doors.

The confidence to experiment

TV programmes such as Grand Designs have also encouraged homeowners to be more creative and adventurous. They encouraged people to look at the possibilities in properties, and to look for products that add value, style and uniqueness. These programmes and their counterparts in printed media have opened homeowners’ eyes and imagination. They’ve given homeowners the confidence to look for products that can make their property stand out from the rest, and for products that are able to transform a building. They are more confident about experimenting with the shape, size and look of their property. Suppliers and installers – enablers – that can help homeowners achieve their vision and transform their properties will be the winners.

The upsurge in demand

Since the start of the year we have been pedalling fast to keep up with the demand for our balconies, balustrades and curved patio doors. The upsurge in demand in the midst of a deep recession may surprise some, but architects, developers, self builders and homeowners want to make properties look different, better and more stylish, and when offered the means to do so are quick to find a way to do it. A stylish balustrade, or stunning curved patio doors really do transform a building and you don’t need to be an architect to see their potential.

Many window and door companies are discovering they have the skills and experience that can help them take advantage of this opportunity. A number have already been selected to become Balcony dealers and distributors and are helping transform their customers’ properties and their own prospects.

Tea staining of stainless steels is a relatively common occurrence in coastal locations. Visually, it is a discolouration of the metal surface, which tends to follow the ‘grain’ of any surface finish. Although unpleasant to look at, it is not a serious form of corrosion, and in general does not affect the structural integrity, or longevity of the balcony.

Aesthetically however tea staining is not ideal, and so the information herein is in an attempt to help identify the causes and suggest possible solutions.

Stainless Steel

The term “stainless” steel derives from the development of the speciality steels for modern cutlery industry. It has now been adopted as a generic name for steels developed for any corrosion or oxidation (rust) resistant applications.

The corrosion resistant characteristics of stainless steels are a result of chromium-rich oxide film that forms naturally on the metal surface. Although this film is extremely thin, it is chemically stable and ‘self-repairing’.

Other types of steel such as mild steel suffer from general corrosion where large areas of the surface are affected, but stainless steels, due to their oxide film, are normally resistant to this form of attack.

Common stainless steels used in the enclosure industry are 304 and 316. Both are iron alloys with additional chromium, and nickel. The nickel content in 316 grades is slightly higher than with 304 grades, and the chromium content is slightly lower. However, the most important difference is that the 316 grades have molybdenum as an additive, to improve its resistance to pitting corrosion, which is usually the result of chloride or saline attack. 316 stainless is preferred by balcony and handrail manufacturers due to this superior corrosion resistance, even though it is a higher cost material.

Tea Staining of balcony handrails

Tea staining can be defined as the “discolouration of the surface of stainless steel mainly as a result of chloride attack”

As a first step it is useful to try to understand why, and in what circumstances tea staining can occur. Tea staining of stainless steels is a phenomenon that occurs where water with significant chloride content is in regular contact with the metal surface. This is a common occurrence along the coastal areas of the United Kingdom.

How is tea staining caused?

Although research on the root cause of tea staining has been limited, there seems to be little research on the root cause of tea staining. However the mechanisms involved can be inferred by the pattern of the corrosion, and known factors that can help counter the effect. One of the most common factors linked with tea staining is the surface finish of the material. Smoother, polished surfaces often do not show any signs of staining, so from this it can be said that grooves or troughs in the material are a root cause of the problem. Surface roughness (Ra) is measured in units of micrometers (µm), and is defined as the average deviation of the height of the surface from the mean height. Higher Ra values or irregular profiles are often associated with increased tea staining.

It is reasonable to assume that the base cause of this corrosion is similar to that of many of the other common types of corrosion. The association of tea staining with proximity to salt water means that chloride attack is the most likely cause of the problem. However you would not normally expect the low level of chlorides present in sea water, for example, to have such a dramatic effect. The reasons why this occurs can be deduced by the locations and one of the solutions to tea staining problems.

Reducing the effect of tea staining on stainless steel balconies

One of the most common ways to prevent problems associated with tea staining on stainless steel balconies is to ensure that the surface is washed regularly with fresh, clean water. This would infer that the corrosion is being caused not by the initial contact with salt water, but with deposits of salt building up on the surface and pours of the handrails. Though microscopic the chloride concentration would build up in any surface troughs. As the water evaporates it leaves a deposit of salt in the trough, and the next time the surface becomes wet this deposit concentrates the chlorides naturally present, and increases the corrosive effects. Over time therefore the chloride concentration in these troughs can become high enough to cause corrosion. Note that this would be consistent with the effect that an increasing surface roughness will have on the tea staining effect, i.e. a deeper groove will trap more salty water, which will give a higher chloride concentration.

The location of particular areas prone to tea staining also implies that higher temperatures and humidity have an effect, as does intermittent exposure (for example, spray from rough seas). High temperatures increase the rate of corrosion, but elevated humidity will increase the time taken for the water on the surface to evaporate, and hence increase the time that the higher concentration chloride solution will be in contact with the metal, and it is this contact with the solution that causes corrosion rather than with the resultant solids.

When ordering stainless steel balconies and handrails, the following is a list of factors that should be considered in particular in areas close to the ocean, or where high levels of chlorides occur naturally, or are found in wash waters.

This starts with basic initial material selections, and proceeds into maintenance of the balustrades to ensure a long life, and therefore maximum value for the balcony.

Material Selection – Initial material selection for the enclosure is of critical importance to the longevity of the balustrades. Stainless steel of grade 316 or above should be used as minimum, as lower grades such as 304 are significantly less resistant to chloride attack due to the absence of molybdenum.

Surface Finish – The rule of thumb for surface finishes is that the smoother the finish, the better will be the resistance to tea staining.

Cleaning stainless steel handrails – Regular washing with clean, fresh water or even rain water has a significant effect on reducing the incidence of tea staining in the environments that can cause concern. Where tea staining still occurs despite regular washing, additional protection can be provided by a special coating procedure using a bespoke polymeric resin

Conclusion

Tea staining of stainless steel handrails, balconies and surfaces can be a problem where there are significant levels of chlorides in water that comes into contact with the metal surface. This can be around the coastal locations, or in the interior where ground water contains significant chlorides. Although it does not look very pleasant it tends to be a surface phenomenon only, and does not affect the structural integrity or longevity of the balcony. The cause of tea staining has been examined in some details to help evaluate the potential remedies for the condition. Recommendations to help prevent tea staining include correct specification of the grade of stainless steel to be used, surface finishes to help reduce the problem as well as maintenance procedures, and preventative coating treatments.

Normal designs of balustrades, or shall we say until Balcony Systems Balustrade system was introduced, have always relied on the strength of posts cantilevering from the floor or relied on the strength of glass clamped at the floor to resist the loads at the top.

This is the traditional and frequently seen solution for balustrades, glass or not.

Resisting the loads

The glass balustrades supplied by balcony systems has broken this routine and introduced a refreshingly innovative approach to resisting the loads. Rather than cantilevering the load and thus needing to design a very rigid base the handrail is designed to take loads direct at the design height.

Fixing the handrail to the falls allow the handrail to work as a rigid element which resists the loads. When corners are introduced the special way the handrail parts are connected and the way the glass is continuously silicone sealed to the glass along the long edge of the glass uses the shearing load of the glass from the handrail right down to the base rail. Again this “out of the box” approach allows for clean glass corners and for cornered balconies to require less posts than ever.

Spreading the resistance across the curve

To top these designs some curved balconies, depending on the radii, are amazingly strong without posts! The curved glass railing is a very stable element to the greater ability of the curve to resist a load by way of spreading the resistance across the curve, similar to a brick arch. In addition the glass itself lends additional horizontal support in a fashion that each curved glass panel cannot bend along the vertical side.

Juliette balconies give homeowners the opportunity to install a French door above the ground floor. Either curved or straight, they come with minimal hand rail for a modern look, while also enhancing light into a room and safely providing a clear view out. Available in seven standard sizes from stock (delivered in three days from order), or custom made, and competitively priced, our Juliette balconies are an attractive and popular choice for consumers wishing to make a difference to their home.

Glass balustrades are also available from stock or custom made to suit the style and size of property. Available in curved, stepped or straight designs, balustrades add great character and style to homes. And with our systems there are no clamps between each pane of glass to disturb the view and the glass reaches top to bottom to give an uninterrupted, clearer view. Using the same minimal hand rail as the Juliette balcony and available in easy maintenance anodised aluminium, Balcony’s Juliettes and balustrades are easy to install and offer instant improvement to the look of any property.

Balcony is the UK’s leading supplier of curved patio doors and our stunning range is described by homeowners, builders, installers and architects as giving properties the ‘wow’ factor. Each door comes with high weather rating, thermally broken aluminium profiles, multi-point locking, 28mm double curved glazing with safety glass on both sides and a choice of RAL powder coat colours. A special low maintenance coating is available for the external surface of the glass to minimise the need for cleaning.

A new way to add value to glasses we supply for our ranges of curved doors, curved glass, balustrades and juliet balconies will be to add to the glass a hydrophobic “self cleaning” glass coating.

We have been researching this area for almost two years and at present a new line is being constructed at the factory:

More for our customers money »