Juliet balconies

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

Glass balustrading specialist Balcony Systems is the first to add a low-cost, self-cleaning glass coating option to its external and Juliette balconies in response to increasing demand for the ultimate reduced-maintenance solution.

Low maintenanca, crystal clear glass

Applied using a special ‘vapour chamber’ process, this unique patented double-sided coating creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime. Protected from the elements on both sides, glass stays looking clean for longer; requiring just the occasional wipe down with a wet cloth.

The innovative coating can also be applied on all colours of glass, including tinted panels, providing an affordable, readily available and convenient extra benefit for architects, specifiers and designers to offer their clients.

Available now across Balcony Systems’ entire product range, including curved patio doors, the self-cleaning glass coating can be specified at the design stage for bespoke projects or supplied on off-the-shelf Juliette balconies.

Fantastic customer feedback

Managing Director Effi Wolff comments: “Introducing this self-cleaning glass coating option has put Balcony Systems firmly at the forefront of innovative and practical balcony solutions. It has generated fantastic customer feedback, as well as growing demand from architects for a distinctive feature to offer their clients.”

Balcony Systems, the UK’s leading balustrading supplier, is aiming to conquer the glass Juliette balcony market with its affordable, stylish and popular product costing from under £200.

At £199, the BAL 128 version measuring 1,280mm with white handrail is available in various quantities – from just a single unit to bulk delivery for larger housing schemes.

Low-maintenance glass Juliette balconies are not only a great deal on initial purchase, but also prove to be a long-term cost-effective choice when compared to conventional balustrading materials as they don’t require painting or repairs. Clear glass retains views and maximises light to the interior, while a wipe down with a wet cloth keeps them sparkling.

The Juliette balcony range includes 28 different standard models with aluminium handrail finishes in white, silver, bronze or Royal Chrome. Bespoke sizes and colours can be supplied for bulk orders to suit any client specification and budget.

Low cost, High value

Commenting on the lower price, Balcony Systems’ Managing Director, Effi Wolff says: “With our genuinely affordable Juliette balcony range, we’re challenging people’s perceptions that glass balconies are expensive. In fact, our glass and aluminium products cost about the same as steel – but work out cheaper in the long run as you don’t have to paint them.

“With the added advantages of corrosion-resistance for coastal areas, contemporary clean lines and ease of installation, we’re already seeing a tremendous response from purchasers seeking a value-for-money balustrade, which also looks good,” he adds.

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. ”

The Window Store, a trade supplier of windows, doors and conservatories and part of the Epwin Group, has become a Registered Dealer for Balcony Systems. The company first came across Balcony when it received an enquiry for a Juliette balcony. Karl Lodwick, South East Regional Manager based at the Heston branch, met Balcony and was immediately impressed by their knowledge, technical expertise and product range. The Window Store has now added Balcony’s Juliettes to its range and marketing material, and the product is displayed in some of its showrooms.

Karl explains: “It all started from an enquiry for a Juliette balcony from one of our customers. It was new territory for us so we explored what was around and came across Balcony. Their range was exactly what we needed and the quality looked good too. We’ve now been selling their products for about two months with enquiries continuing to come through. Currently we’re waiting to hear back on an order for 17 Juliettes for a new build project.

“It’s still early days, but we like the product, the service we get from Balcony is excellent and the feedback from customers has been positive,” continues Karl. “We primarily supply Juliette balconies via a selection of our trade counters in the South West, and if it goes well, we will expand supply to the rest of our branches, of which we have 15 in total.”

To join Balcony’s dealer network and win new sales, visit www.balconette.co.uk. For more information about The Window Store visit www.windowstoreplastics.com.

Balcony systems are about to launch and announce the use of self cleaning coated glass as standard on their Juliet balconies.

The glass has already been manufactured for the stock and is on route to the warehouse. We expect to have this ready for delivery mid July.

The glasses to be supplied are specially coated with a nano coating on both sided of the glass making them hydrophobic.

More information on the slef cleaning glass solution by Balcony can be found here on the self cleaning glass area of the website: http://www.balconette.co.uk/self-cleaning-glass/

Balcony Systems do not intend to raise the price of the balconies and thus this development will increase the Juliet balconies value for money and make them self cleaning Juliet balconies.

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.

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.

Homeowner Peter Nicholson of Whittlebury, near Towcester, modified his 1983 brick–built house to make better use of the space. A two storey extension was built and the layout of the master bedroom altered to suit a 21^st century lifestyle. The bedroom originally had an open balcony which was taking up valuable space, so Peter extended the bedroom to incorporate the area into the room. He fitted a French door and searched the internet for a Juliette balcony to make the installation safe.

Reasonably priced balcony

“There were plenty of companies offering balconies with vertical bars,” says Peter, “but that defeated the object. I wanted to let in the light and have clear views and Balcony offered exactly what I needed. I ordered a standard 3 metre Juliette balcony from stock, which kept the price reasonable.

Great service

“The service from Balcony was great and I am delighted with the result,” continues Peter. “The Juliette was delivered within seven days of order and it was very easy to install myself.”