Impressed by Balcony’s range, LSI Architects went on to specify 22 metres of curved balustrade, 18 metres of straight balustrade and 9 metres of curved patio doors with custom- made Juliette balconies. The small profile used for the doors means that the metal frame is unobtrusive and the product is effectively all glass. Minimal handrails and the absence of ugly clamps and posts on the Juliette balconies and balustrades give clean lines, uninterrupted views and a stylish finish to the home.

The total value of the project is £2 million plus and is due to be completed in May 2011.

Curved glass balustrades

The requirement was for an effective and clean line glass balustrade system that could also be curved. Curved balconies of over 11m in length were achieved without a single post with a clear glass spanning the entire balcony.

Strength and aesthetics

Before installing the developer wanted to see the performance of the balustrades and two load tests of the handrail system were mocked up for them. One test on site and one in the factory. The client and contactor were delighted with the capability of the system and commented they had never seen such an innovative system that combined both strength and aesthetics in a glass railing system.

The original view was to use structural glazed balustrades on the project but with the balcony 2 system the same result was achieved for around half the cost plus half the weight which was also a key factor on the structure of the balconies.

Trent Park developments are looking at using the same system on their next development:

A beautiful apartment block with over four hundred meter of glass balustrades were supplied and installed in this project.

The developer, Hamlet Homes, had previously encountered problems with staining and corrosion on stainless steel balconies they had manufactured on a different project that was also in a marine location nearby.

They chose Balcony Systems Royal Chrome handrail system for the glass balustrades after seeing the advantages both in the look and also in the long term resistance to the salty air environment.

Many complex curves and “S” type bends on the top level terraces required some experienced surveying and precision manufacturing.

The results are delightful and parties are well pleased.

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.

It is important to note and be prepared for the following when dealing with curved balustrades:

1. On some radii the removal of the glazing bead from the handrail is not possible and the balustrade will need to be installed with the top glazing bead in place. This may require an adaption to the standard installation procedure to accommodate for this; this procedure can be obtained from us upon request.
2. On the handrail the glazing gap may become smaller than on straight runs and a smaller glazing rubber may need to be supplied, it may also become necessary as part of the changed procedure to remove the external fixed rubber and replace it with a different kind that can be inserted line the internal rubber.
3. It is important to realize that the tolerance on curved toughened glass is great and the curved glass panels will have “straight” ends of approximately 100mm on each side. This will be more noticeable on small radii. Curved glass may therefore require more manipulation, experience and patience in installation.
4. It is important to note that all bending of profile sections is performed after any anodizing or painting process, therefore surface cracking, whether visible or not, will always be present on curved sections, stretch marks may also be present and will depend on tightness of the radius. These cracking and stretch marks in addition to any other results from the bending are not considered defects.
5. Manufacturing limitations with respect to curved glass and balustrades exist and on occasion new limitations are realized that were previously unbeknownst.

1930s style

Nigel was initially attracted by Balcony’s stunning curved windows and curved patio doors. “They were the only company to offer exactly what we were looking for”, he says. “I wanted curves, in keeping with the 1930s style of the building and its setting on the coast.”

In the end Nigel ordered two sets of curved patio doors, two sets of curved windows, curved curtain walling and curved balustrades. The patio doors are fitted in the living room and dining room on the ground floor, with the curved windows going in the master bedroom and bedroom three.

Excellent service

Nigel appreciated the excellent service from Balcony: “My architect and I could tell from the website we were ordering a high quality product, but we didn’t know what service to expect. Balcony’s regular phone calls and a site visit meant the local builder I used had no difficulty with the installation and the house was completed in fifteen months.”

Nigel is delighted with the end result. Pleased that the products lived up to his expectations, he will recommend Balcony and will use them again for future developments.