Forget ordinary, homeowners want amazing.
An increased interest in good, innovative home design is a considerable factor in today’s market. Television programmes such as Grand Designs have encouraged homeowners to be more creative and adventurous when planning new build or renovation projects and this trend offers a major opportunity to architects, developers, suppliers and installers. Homeowners look for products that make their property stand out from the rest and transform a building from ordinary to amazing. They are more confident about experimenting with the shape, size and look of their property. Those who can help homeowners achieve their vision are in the best position to benefit from this new found enthusiasm.
Contemporary design with practical benefits
As a leading supplier of glass balustrades, curved patio doors and Juliette balconies, we are making the most of this desire for innovation and style, and experiencing rapid growth as a result. The contemporary design of our products and the maximum use of glass with minimum interruption make ita perfect choice for new build and refurbishment projects. Our balustrades and Juliette balconies have no ugly clamps or corner posts and fewer uprights than comparable products to give unobstructed views. The handrail stops the glass from flexing, making installations safe, and because it’s made from anodised aluminium the risk of rust in marine environments is avoided.
Recently we added self-cleaning glass coating across our complete range, which uniquely is applied to both sides of the glass. The coating reduces maintenance of the glass, so it looks new for longer, and doesn’t require any special cleaning substances which makes it environmentally friendly. It can also be applied to tinted glass.
Adding to the great looks and stylish design of our products is the ease of installation. Most window and doors installers already have the necessary skills so why settle for ordinary when the customer is looking for outstanding? Many homeowners now look to the internet to see what’s available – if they have seen innovative designs on television they will try to find similar ideas for their own property. Widening your range to include glass balconies for example, allows suppliers and installers to tap into this interest.
The proof is in the pudding
Recent projects clearly illustrate the appeal of our products. Homeowner Dave Cant recently extended his detached four bedroom property in Aberdeen to create a large open plan living area. A flat, decked roof leads off from the bedrooms and Balcony’s elegant balustrade was installed around it. With views over a nearby river and countryside, installing the balustrade meant Mr Cant could step out in complete safety and enjoy his surroundings. “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 so it has maximum glass with fewer metal uprights.”
Another customer to appreciate this is Mike Murray, whose project was front cover plus six pages in the September issue of Self Build & Design magazine. When it came to choosing the balustrade for his house in South Wales he knew exactly what he wanted – a balustrade which didn’t interrupt the spectacular view of the coast from the glass-walled sitting room. The uncluttered finish of Balcony’s balustrade matched the modern exterior of his home and the twenty eight metre balcony complements the look of the house and adds value.
For stunning use of glass it is hard to beat our curved patio doors, which require the use of precision bent curved glass. This is an art in itself. All curved doors are supplied with 28mm double curved glazing using Low E glass as standard – and of course the self-cleaning coating is available too. The perfect illustration of what our curved patio doors achieve for buildings is shown in a recent project near the historic town of Lacock. A new build on the site of an old cottage, the house is in a National Trust conservation area so the design had to be exceptional to gain planning permission. Permission was granted to build a traditional stone front and to the rear an ultra-modern expanse of Balcony’s curved glass doors with two Juliette balconies for the bedrooms. The doors form a key feature of the build and the project recently won an award for Best Individual Dwelling in the West of England Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Excellence Awards for the high standard of design, construction and workmanship.
Projects like this prove that your potential customers are looking for more than run-of-the mill products. They want the ‘wow’ factor. Balcony Systems makes it easy to provide it.