curved patio doors

Fantastic panoramic views of the southern tip of the Isle of Man from a luxurious bed and breakfast property are fully exploited using every product from UK balustrading specialist Balcony Systems’ wide range of low-maintenance clear glass balustrading and curved sliding patio doors.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”