Far-reaching countryside vistas don’t come much better than this. That’s why Steve Procter installed glass balconies and frameless balustrading from Balconette to keep the views from his elevated Yorkshire home.
The good looks and simplicity of Balconette’s Juliet Balconies work so well for Essex-based builder Jason Smith of Woodridge Building Services that he’s installed their Juliets on two properties within a few weeks.
Here at Balconette we have too often had to replace balustrading products supplied by others which were not fit for purpose or compliant with building regulations. Regardless of whether you choose to purchase from us or not, we want to give you some important tips and pointers to use as a checklist when sourcing and purchasing a balustrading system for your home or development project.
Glass balcony systems put Balcony Systems on the map! In the following Q & A Mr. Effi Wolff Managing Director of Balcony Systems Solutions Limited gives some insight into current trends of glass balustrades and balconies why Balcony Systems’ proprietary system ticks all the right boxes.
Designing balustrades to meet wind load requirements is a crucial part of our job. Now, in BS6180:2011 it is required that wind loads are included when designing balustrades.
There are various factors to take into account when designing for wind loads. In essence, this is covered in a Euro code BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 Actions on structures – Wind actions, its addendum and annex cover what you need to know.
The Euro code 1 itself is a highly scientific and theoretical document of 145 pages and an additional 42 pages in the UK National Annex, giving a total of 187 pages.
The height of any finished external balustrade or railing needs to be a minimum of 1100mm above the finished floor level, or above where one can stand. This is according to BS6180:2011 – Barriers in and about buildings code of practice.
Not always is fixing balustrades a simple matter. This is because usually the finished floor level does not have a structural member to fit to. Structural members are often imbedded below the floor level, under insulation, screed, waterproofing etc.
Designing Balustrading – 3 Loads You Must Be Aware OfThere are three primary loads to consider when designing glass balustrading to BS6180, which is the code that regulates barriers (Balustrades and Railings).
In this code it specifies the loads for different usages relating to building types or occupancies of buildings.
Although the different occupancy types will specify different loads, for instance in a public environment the load will be higher than for a private residential occupancy, in each occupancy there will always be three loads types that have to be met.
Juliet balconies are increasingly popular and deservedly so. Often used in apartments or added to bedrooms and upstairs living room areas, they can transform a dark or dull room. Open up a small window or part of a wall and you make the most of your view and add extra daylight for a bright and spacious feeling. If you’re adding a Juliet balcony to your property, either as part of a new-build project or a renovation, the railings you choose have a significant bearing on the final appearance of your project.
A Frameless Glass Juliet Balcony is simply a sheet of glass that provides a clear protective and highly-aesthetic barrier for a balcony on or above first-floor level.
Popular with homeowners, architects and designers, a frameless solution is an elegant, simple and highly-effective solution for all types of properties.
With no spindles or rails to block the view, the Balconette Frameless Glass Juliet balcony is an unobtrusive and secure solution for French Doors, and spans up to 3.3 metres wide.
Whether you’re renovating an existing home, adding a new extension or even self-building, why not consider a Frameless Juliet balcony to create a feeling of spaciousness and to bring in the light.
Our balcony system balustrades ae unique in the fact that this is the only system around that can enable postless balconies without using structural glass. Utilising the strength of the handrail the systems can span as much as 4.0m without posts. In theory you can have an endless run of balcony without posts if you do not surpass the maximum lenths the handrail can span and fix them to the walls.
