Curved glass

Balcony Systems’ products fully exploit Isle of Man views Owners Philip and Jillian Routledge specified Balcony’s four-panel curved patio door, with two sliding panels, that forms the stunning centrepiece of the domed guest lounge at The Arches overlooking Port Erin. Either side of the curved white aluminium powder-coated doors are two further straight patio doors allowing additional access to the outside space. Measuring 5.2 metres across and maximising the 180-degree views, the curved door has double glazed units with Low E glass and a 16mm air space that achieve a 1.8W/m2K U-value. It opens onto a square terrace with a structural glazed balustrade, also supplied by Balcony Systems. This balustrading style was chosen specifically to fulfil safety requirements with low-maintenance minimum visual impact, plus the added benefit of protection from prevailing winds. The curved patio doors and balustrading elements were installed by Chris Wedgwood, Managing Director of Jurby-based Hamilton Project Management Ltd and incorporated as part of extensive remodelling to the substantial 1920s building, perched on a steep site in Tower Road. Five years of construction work included rebuilding and extending the southern elevation and roofing over what was an outdoor swimming pool.

Frameless Glass Balustrade Curved Patio Doors Curved Glass Balustrade

Following the shape of a second lower terrace next to the swimming pool are nearly 40 metres of Balcony’s curved and straight balustrading, topped with an anodised silver handrail. Above this terrace, three glass Juliet balconies supplied by Balcony Systems maintain clear views from guest rooms on two upper floors.

Having holidayed on the Isle of Man for many years, the couple moved there from the UK in 2006 having fallen in love with The Arches’ spectacular coastal location. The B&B opened for business in 2011.

Philip, from Liverpool, explained: “The incredible views inspired all the glass as the whole point was to maximise the pleasure from them. It’s unusual to have 180 degrees of such splendour – and the curved patio door from Balcony Systems really does it justice. Everyone is stunned when they see it and it adds so much to the value and enjoyment of the property.

Top quality products that are built to last.

Phil also commented on the quality of the materials:

“As the house is located near to the sea, that’s great for the views but a real challenge to the materials used to enable us to enjoy them to the full. After four or five years of installation, the finishes on our Balcony products are like new.

“The curved patio door performs well; it’s thermally-efficient, air and watertight, even during the wild weather we get sometimes. It’s so central to what we wanted to achieve. There’s no product like it and it really brings the outside in!”

Project architect John Cryer, of Marshall Cryer Architects said an initial triangular design for the lounge was adapted into a more space-efficient curve after consultation with Balcony Systems.

He said: “The curved door is a remarkable product, making the most of the space and views while turning an ordinary room into something much better. This site is so suited to this product. So many sites on the island have good views that would benefit from products like those from Balcony Systems. I would definitely use their products again.”

According to Chris Wedgwood, it’s the combination of Balcony’s three different products that work really well at The Arches. “The curved patio door undoubtedly gives the house its ‘Wow’ factor and makes the most of the views. The structural glass balustrade is a fantastic answer for uninterrupted views. They’re all good quality, well-thought out products.”

Balcony Systems is a specialist in sophisticated glass and aluminium balustrading solutions and stunning curved patio doors, supplying straight or curved external and Juliet balconies to exact client specifications.

From single balustrades to multi-apartment developments, the company works with architects, designers and specifiers to deliver the most cost-effective, stylish and durable balustrade solution.

The Arches Port Erin.

The house is a lovely and unique B & B and well worth a visit www.arches-porterin.com

Balcony Systems celebrated another successful Grand Designs Live 2013 at London’s Excel by presenting the winners of its annual Photo Competition, Rob and Jane Hollingworth, with their top £1,000 cash prize.

Curved balcony wins the competition >> The couple, from Silverdale, Lancashire, received their prize from Managing Director Effi Wolff on Balcony’s stand, having impressed the judges with their stylish shot of a curved balcony enjoying splendid views to the sea. Their 20-metre long curved balustrading, above a ground-floor lounge, features Balcony’s proprietary Royal Chrome anodised handrail and BalcoNano® self-cleaning glass coating on the panels, which dramatically reduces cleaning cycles. The Hollingworths, who built their four-bedroomed contemporary home overlooking Morecambe Bay on the site of a former 1920s property, said: “We’re delighted with our curved balcony and winning such a marvellous prize in Balcony’s Photo Competition. It looks brilliant, was easy to install and keeps our wonderful views while withstanding the worst of our coastal weather. Visitors always admire it and having the most exquisite view out to the sea does help!

Balcony competition winners Competition winner – Curved balcony from Silverdale, Lancashire

Rob added: “We fell in love with the Balcony Systems’ product when we saw it on their website and ordered our balcony at Grand Designs Live two years ago. Their service was excellent too; everything arrived on time, including the two Juliet balconies we ordered for the bedrooms.”

Choosing a winner was difficult

Commenting on the photo competition entries, Effi said: “Choosing a winner from so many fabulous photos was difficult, however we felt Rob and Jane’s stunning entry really captured the elegance of the balustrade in its rural setting. We were impressed by the amazing response and great variety of pictures we received from our customers all over the UK. We’d like to say a very big thank you to all our entrants who put a lot of thought, effort and high standards of creativity into their photos. Many photos showed customers enjoying their balconies and making the most of the uninterrupted views provided by our clear glass system that uses minimal posts and no clamps. From al fresco dining to family groups with their pets, everyone joined in the fun of making the most of their outdoor spaces, whatever the weather!” Runners up Worthy runners up were David Partington of Nether Alderley enjoying a family picnic; Phil Routledge with a stunning shot of the view through his curved patio doors on the Isle of Man and Ken McNeil for his photo of a peaceful garden balustrade in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Also commended were Jonathan Battle with his ‘patriotic’ picture of Union Jacks draped over his extensive Worcestershire balcony, along with Joanne Tarrant of Castle Donington and Alison Field of Berkswell for injecting a touch of humour into their first-floor Juliet balcony photos with kids in fancy dress and a clever basketball throw respectively. For more details, contact Balcony www.balconette.co.uk on 01342 410411 or email enquiries@balconette.co.uk.

Curved Glass – Isle of Man runner up Nether Alderley balustrade runner up Newcastle-under-Lyme balcony runner up Worcestershire balcony

Curved balcony wins Balcony Systems’ Photo Competition. An amazing response and great variety of balustrading pictures we received from all over the UK.

Animals, humour, picnics and even patriotism were among the many creative subjects submitted by homeowners in Balcony Systems’ 2012 Photo Competition. But it was a stylish shot of a curved balcony with splendid views that clinched Rob and Jane Hollingworth the top £1,000 cash prize.

Competition Winner – Curved balcony from Silverdale, Lancashire

Curved balustrade from Silverdale The couple, from Silverdale, Lancashire will receive their prize from Managing Director Effi Wolff on Balcony Systems’ stand at London’s Grand Designs Live in May. Their 20-metre long curved balustrading, above a ground-floor lounge, features Balcony’s proprietary Royal Chrome anodised handrail and BalcoNano® self-cleaning glass coating on the panels, which dramatically reduces cleaning cycles.

Creative shots

Worthy runners up were David Partington of Nether Alderley enjoying a seafood picnic with good company, chilled champagne and an equally chilled-out dog; Phil Routledge with a stunning shot of the view through his curved patio doors on the Isle of Man and Ken McNeil for his photo of a peaceful garden balustrade in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Also commended were Jonathan Battle with his ‘patriotic’ picture of Union Jacks draped over his extensive Worcestershire balcony, along with Joanne Tarrant of Castle Donington and Alison Field of Berkswell for injecting a touch of humour into their first-floor Juliet balcony photos with kids in fancy dress and a clever basketball throw respectively. Well done to you. Commenting on the photo competition entries, Effi said: “Choosing a winner from so many fabulous photos was difficult, however we felt Rob and Jane’s stunning entry really captured the elegance of the balustrade in its rural setting.“ Making the most of the outdoor spaces We were impressed by the amazing response and great variety of pictures we received from our customers all over the UK. We’d like to say a very big thank you to all our entrants who put a lot of thought and effort into their photos. “The high standards of creativity that were clearly evident in the photographs, made judging a difficult, but hugely enjoyable process. “Many of the photos showed customers enjoying their balconies and making the most of the uninterrupted views provided by our clear glass system that uses minimal posts and no clamps. From al fresco dining to family groups with their pets – and we particularly liked the animals – everyone joined in the fun of making the most of their outdoor spaces, whatever the weather!” The winners – delighted with their balcony As for the winners, whose self-built home overlooks Morecambe Bay, they said: “We’re delighted with our balcony – and with the news that it has won such a marvellous prize in Balcony’s Photo Competition. Our curved balcony looks brilliant and is so admired by visitors; it also helps that we have the most exquisite view out to the sea.“ We fell in love with the Balcony Systems’ product when we saw it on their website and ordered our balcony at Grand Designs Live two years ago. Having installed it ourselves, we are very happy with Balcony’s product that keeps our wonderful views. Their service was excellent too; everything arrived on time, including the two Juliet balconies we ordered for the bedrooms.” Three years ago, the couple completed their four-bedroomed contemporary home on the site of a former 1920s property, whose last two remaining two-metre high walls are incorporated into the new building. “Our house could be regarded as an ‘extension’ although it’s 99% new. We’d lived in older buildings, so with this project we wanted a completely modern, open-plan style of living – complemented, of course, with our lovely balcony,” added Rob, who established his company Paul Homes Ltd in 1968. A further press release will follow after the presentation, so watch this space! For more details, contact Balcony www.balconette.co.uk on 01342 410411 or email enquiries@balconette.co.uk.

Nether Alderley balustrade runner up Curved Glass – Isle of Man runner up Newcastle-under-Lyme balcony runner up Worcestershire balcony Inner staircase balustrade Juliette – Castle Donington

Backyard balcony

Juliet balcony – Berkswell

Picnic on the balcony

Stunning views from Balcony Systems’ curved sliding patio doors at Gara Rock resort.

Panoramic ocean views are dished up every day for diners at this new South Devon restaurant – thanks to a show-stopping curved sliding patio door from Balcony Systems.

Doors and panels design

The balustrading and curved door specialist met the architect’s specification with a nine-panel door, incorporating two sliding panels, spanning well over half the building’s circular sea-facing elevation. Measuring nearly 15 metres in width with a blue powder-coated finish, the door opens onto an outdoor dining terrace at the Gara Rock Restaurant, part of an exclusive coastal resort complex built by Coast Group near Salcombe. Directly below, a second eight metre-wide curved patio door with two sliding panels, also supplied by Balcony, offers similar spectacular sea views for guests using the indoor swimming pool and spa facilities.

180 degree view

Diana Hunt, who runs the restaurant with Ian Dent, said: “The wonderful curved glass wall and doors frame an almost 180 degree view of the south Devon coastline.  We are able to open the curved glass doors back to the point where they almost seem to disappear. They are incredibly smooth, but heavy enough to dissuade children from playing too enthusiastically with them!”

Bringing the outdoor in Suitable for virtually any commercial or residential property, Balcony’s curved patio doors add the ‘wow’ factor with a versatility that allows for a variety of sliding or fixed configurations within almost limitless creative scope for designers and architects. Wide openings can be achieved to seamlessly connect interior and outdoor spaces. Adding extra fixed curved panels allows for longer glazed runs, further enhancing views, light and the feeling of space to any interior.

Visual statement of the building

Simon Baldwin, Director of Aminghurst Ltd, Gara Rock’s owners, commented: “Both doors are quite stunning, creating a distinctive visual statement and making the most of impressive vistas from the building. “The doors enable guests to enjoy the beautiful views in comfort, whatever the weather, while also providing practical and easy access to the terraces by the restaurant and pool.”

Installation

Installation of both doors went smoothly, according to Gara Rock Site Manager Tim Jones, who added: “The general consensus from everyone who sees them is that they look spectacular and really make the most of this unique cliff top location.”

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

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.

Juliet balconies are a very common part of the British building industry solution for first floor and above full height doors.

What do you do when you need a curved one however?

Well Balcony systems, being experts in the field of both Juliet balconies and curved rails and glass have a perfect solution.

A curved glass Juliet balcony!

Balcony Systems have recently supplied this solution to 4 different sites in the UK with stunning results.

The curved glass Juliet allows uninterrupted views and a clean curved look, both features going well with the architects vision of aesthetics.

Balcony have recently supplied and installed 4 sets of curved sliding doors overlooking the National Trust village of Lacock.

The interesting fact about these doors is that balcony was required to make rails which were over 10 meters in length in one unit so as to maintain a continuous frame around the opening. This required some modification of the standard door system but the results are marvellous.

The curved doors replaced a facetted system originally designed. The curves complement the property and have allowed larger spans of glass than any facetted option could have allowed.

The curved doors were RAL powder coated and the curved glass used was 28mm Low-E double glazing with safety glass on both sides.

Also incorporated into the first floor doors were two sets of curved Juliet Balconies to protect the users from a fall when the doors are open.

Balcony Systems have completed an amazing project on the sea front promenade in Bognor Regis.

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.

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.

Property developer Paul Nash of Kooks Ltd in Hove specified Juliette balconies in his East Grinstead development.

The project

The project is a luxury gated development of three mews houses in the centre of the town. Set back from the main street in a secluded position, each three bedroom house has a large (2.84m) standard Juliette balcony on the master bedroom at the rear of the property and a bespoke 15sq metre balcony with hand rails at the front to the second bedroom, which could also be used as a study or dining room.

Keeping the clean lines and modern look

Juliet balconies for clean lines and modern look »