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.

We have been researching this area for almost two years and at present a new line is being constructed at the factory:

A patented system

A new and patented system using a specially constructed chamber using CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition – where a chemical coating is applied in a closed chamber by vaporizing it). This special chamber or room measuring 4.0m X 4.0m X 3.0m in height is almost completed and will be tested and licensed in the next month.

A significant value

We believe that this new coating system to the glass offers a significant VALUE with an easy-to-clean feature, more like the Teflon® concept on a cooking pan, plus all other benefits of our coating such as:

• added brilliance
• impact and scratch resistance

As we have realized through our research we do not believe in the concept of SELF-CLEANING as it is clearly misleading and unrealistic and its marketing has been actually a failure.

There’s no such thing as truly  self-cleaning since the required “sheeting effect” of the hydrophilic (water attracting) coatings, as opposed to the “hydrophobic” (water repellent) coatings, works under a completely controlled environment and not as such in real life applications when you have the different variables of precipitation intensity and gravity, sunlight effects, etc.

Used  by advanced glass companies

This coating system is already in use by some of the most advanced glass companies in Europe and has been used on some large projects;

• Barcelona convention center (Spain)
• New York 40 Bond st project (USA)
• Montreal convention center (Canada)
• Guadalajara shopping center (Mexico)

Not a traditional CVD

An important point on the CVD chamber process is that it is NOT a traditional CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) as it does NOT require Vacuum, which makes it that much more efficient and cost-effective. Our system then has:

• NO vacuum
• NO curing time (the reaction is instantaneous, under 2 seconds)
• NO special cleaning other than removing grease or oily residues
• A coating on BOTH sides of the glass at the same process!

More for our customers money

This is a significant investment for the company but we believe that this aligns with giving the customer more for their money and the reduced cleaning requirement is “greener” in the fact that less chemicals will need to be used in the cleaning process.

Direct link

This link to the quotation can be foung at your quotaion page. You can copy and pasted it on to any internet page or on the favourites or bookmarks in your browser.

With this link you can:

• Return when you like to view this quotation
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Quick save to facebook or Google bookmarks

Also you can now save Your quot to your Google favourites or to your Facebook page and all this with just one click from the quote page.

As always we are happy to do what we can  to improve the surfing experience and shopping experience for our customers on our website.

Please do not hesitate to offer us any new ideas or improvement suggestions – we are always happy to receive these and promise to take mind of these in professional and caring manner.

If it isn’t convenient to do that, full-length windows in the bedrooms add space and light. Of course they should be energy efficient and secure but they need to look good too. What could be better than to sit gazing at the beautiful view, basking in sunshine and enjoying the gentle breeze? Okay, the last two might be hard to come by in the UK but at least it is easy to make the most of the view.

Enhancing buildings

Floor to ceiling patio, French  doors are an increasingly popular fixture in both old and new properties. But doors are meant to open and offering safe enjoyment of the view on the first floor and above, the light and fresh air, Balcony’s versatile clear glass Juliette balconies are the perfect solution for self-builders, developers and home-improvers.  Whether it’s one balcony in a private house or apartment or a combination of balconies, balustrades and patio doors in a new development, Balcony’s easy to fit products enhance buildings.

Challenging is the only way to describe the project undertaken by Princeton Homes at Bowden Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire. The brief was to build a high–spec detached home on a plot previously occupied by an old four bedroom house which had been extended at different times in a mixture of stone, brick and block. The old house was to be demolished and replaced with a timber-framed property, constructed using eco-friendly technology and the latest materials acceptable to planners in a conservation area. The client wanted the property to make the most of the spectacular 180° views over the Wiltshire countryside. On a clear day you can see as far as Bath and the Mendip Hills to the South and Wales in the West, so Andrew Turner, Owner and Managing Director of Princeton Homes, drew up a concept design.

Looking over the National Trust village of Lacock

The design called for a lot of glass – never popular with Conservation Officers in planning offices. Although the property is in open countryside, with only one near neighbour, it is in a conservation area. The land in front belongs to The National Trust and the house overlooks the National Trust village of Lacock; all factors to be considered when applying for planning permission. After several months permission was granted to build a traditional stone front with slate roof, and to the rear an ultra-modern expanse of glass, with four curved patio doors and two curved Juliette balconies from Balcony Systems, set into a stone faced timber frame construction.

Combining the traditional with the sustainable

Once the concept design was approved Andrew had detailed plans drawn up by an architect (who?). The project was given the go-ahead and work commenced in March 2009. It was recently completed in March 2010. The finished design is complex as it makes use of both traditional building methods and the latest energy saving techniques. Rainwater harvesting, solar panels and air-source heat pumps have to fit comfortably with both traditional and the modern. The curves of the patio doors have to blend into the square slate roof.

Balcony’s curved patio doors are a key feature of the build. Two are set on the ground floor in the living room/kitchen and the snug, and two are upstairs in the master bedroom and second bedroom where they transform the rooms with the changing light and panoramic view. The Juliette balconies are installed on the first floor doors for safety when the doors are open.

Stunning curved patio doors

When it came to choosing the stunning curved patio doors Andrew turned to the internet. He asked for quotes from eight companies, but Balcony was the only one to respond, presumably because of the complexity of the project. Impressed by Balcony’s response as well as their products, Andrew Turner visited Effi Wolff, Managing Director of Balcony, and with his help ordered two curved 10 metre and two curved 5.8 metre VisioGlide 100 patio doors, with two Juliette balconies for the bedrooms (see the technical panel for details). The handrails are in Balcony’s own Royal Chrome anodised aluminium. The doors are 28mm double-glazed toughened Low-E glass, with a high weather rating (essential in an exposed location), their energy efficiency fitting in well with the eco-friendly ethos of the project. The living room/kitchen door has six curved panels, four sliding and two fixed, while each of the others has two sliding and two fixed curved panels. Specially made for this project, the order was delivered on time and fitted in alignment with the required time table.

Rising to the challenge of a complex project

VBS Ltd, Balcony’s sister company specialising in balcony and balustrade glass installations for large projects, fitted the curved patio doors and Juliette balconies. As it was a complex project – “a leap of faith for all parties” as Andrew puts it – an engineer from Balcony was on hand to advise on the installation. The timber frame company Allwood Buildings Ltd was extremely helpful, cutting and fitting the necessary steelwork into the wooden frame. The roofers, A L King, also rose to the challenge, bringing together the curves of the patio doors with the square traditional slate roof. Although the architectural features made the installation more complicated than usual Balcony products are designed to be easy to install. Everything went smoothly and Andrew is delighted with the end result.

Curved patio doors for clear uninterrupted views

The curved patio doors allow uninterrupted panoramic views from the house. They make a stunning statement from outside and inside the home. The curved Juliette balconies fitted on the first floor mean that the patio doors in the bedrooms can be opened and the views enjoyed in safety. The minimal hand rail, with glass reaching from top to bottom and no clamps between panes mean there is nothing to distract the eye. Both floors of the property benefit and the overall effect is one of original use of light and space. Careful planning and co-operation between the contractors and Balcony meant the project came in within budget and on schedule. The property is valued at around £1.5 million.

Innovations, information and design concepts

Balcony Views magazine is launched with a print run of 25,000 as an effective way of communicating ideas, innovations, practical information and design concepts to architects, contractors, developers and self builders.

The magazine will be handed out our stands at all the major exhibitions we appear and will be received by all new enquiries over the next six months.

A real must

Incorporating features on innovative new products in the building industry both for new builds and refurbishment, Balcony Views is a real must for designers and specifiers.

Registration

It is possible to register and receive your free copy. click here http://balconyviews.co.uk/register.aspx

To enquire about including coverage of your products or services within the launch issue please contact Sam Banks on sam@balconette.co.uk or 01342-410411.

Use this link to view the media information pack: http://balconyviews.co.uk/media-information.aspx

Publisher Balcony Systems has partnered with several market leading companies to produce a new type of ‘non profit’ magazine with articles more focused on products, information and technical details and less on advertising.

The dream and the truth:

Isn’t it a dream come true, glass that cleans itself? No more dust, grime, calcium deposits and dirt to ruin the views?

One of the most tedious tasks in life is maintenance and cleaning. Just the words “self cleaning” will sell almost anything. There is no need to get into asking if this is a required trait or not. I think its quite obvious that most consumers will pay a bit more, within reason, for “self cleaning” glass.

We would like to believe that there is a glass that cleans itself but it seems again that, like life, there usually is a compromise and “self cleaning” should actually be renamed into “lower maintenance” to limit customers surprise when they wake up to dirt on their glass that should have cleaned itself.

What is self cleaning glass?

Well I would divide this area into two categories:

1. Glass coated or applied with hydrophilic layer that uses photocatalytic decomposition
2. Glass coated or applied with a hydrophobic coating. Also known as the “lotus effect”.

Now before you fall asleep from the words I will explain in simplicity what these terms actually mean and do and try to point out the important pluses and minuses of each type.

Lets start with the two major differences; hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

• Hydrophilic simply means that the glass will attract the water and make it spread out like a thin film.
• Hydrophobic means the glass will repel water and any water that comes in contact with the glass will tend to have a minimum amount of contact with the glass and will create spherical droplets on the surface.

Hydrophilic

this is glass that is based on having a film of titanium dioxide coating. The glass works in two stages. The “photocatalytic” (simply meaning the accelerated process of using the ultraviolet light to break down the organic dirt on the glass) and makes the glass hydrophilic, During the following “hydrophilic” stage rain washes away the dirt, leaving almost no streaks, because hydrophilic glass spreads the water evenly over its surface.

Pluses:

1. Under the right conditions, meaning frequent sun and rain, or if hosed down regularly will reduce the cleaning cycle required of glass.
2. The coating is stable and has a long life span.

Minuses:

1. Titanium dioxide-based glass cannot decompose inorganic dirt, thick non-transparent deposits, such as paint or silicone, waterstop fingerprints, or dust produced during construction.
2. This glass also negatively reacts with silicone and will require specialist glazing.
3. If damaged will require replacement of the glass as no onsite application is possible.

Hydrophobic

The second type of self cleaning glass is glass applied with a hydrophobic coating also known as having the “lotus effect” which refers to the very high water repellency exhibited by the leaves of the lotus flower. Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to a complex micro- and nanoscopic architecture of the surface which enables minimization of adhesion. This form of glass works in a similar way to “Teflon” on a frying pan. It produces a non stick surface and water will run off of this surface quickly and not streak. Glass, despite looking like a smooth surface, has on a microscopic scale, peaks and valleys which on untreated glass attract and deposit dirt and grime. The coating or applications of this type are silica based and create a nano scale film that covers these valleys or troths.

Pluses:

1. Works on organic and inorganic dirt alike.
2. Scratch resistant and will reduce the need for use of chemicals in any cleaning required as dirt will easily wash off.
3. Protects the glass from graffiti and paint.
4. Can be reapplied on site if required.
5. Cost wise the hydrophobic coatings and applications are usually about half the cost of the hydrophilic type glasses.

Minuses:

1. This application, depending on the exact product, has a life span of 5 to 10 years in external conditions.

In summing up we can say that to date there still is no ideal self cleaning glass or a glass that requires zero cleaning but there certainly are some great advantages to the use of these two types of glass products which will both greatly reduce the cleaning chore and cycle.

Effi Wolff, Managing Director of Balcony Systems, explains:

“The demand for our stunning products is strong and last year we grew very fast. We are represented in Ireland, the Channel Islands and various parts of the country, but have many gaps elsewhere. This year we are expanding our network of dealers and Registered Installers. Our range of stunning curved patio doors, balustrades and balconies is a great new selling opportunity in a fast growth market.

“Our products are easy and quick to install and they simply transform buildings. They are a popular choice for homeowners who want to add character and style to their property. But they will not be suitable for all installers and builders, so our simple online registration process for dealers and for installers helps them decide if this is for them. It also helps us to identify ambitious and capable dealers and installers who will make the most of the opportunity.”

For more information visit www.balconette.co.uk or call 01342 410 411.

The property

The property, a large, modern five bedroom house in Meliden, near Prestatyn, North Wales sold for £1.2 million. It is situated on the side of a cliff with fantastic views so Balcony’s products were the ideal choice. The Juliette balcony, six metre wide curved patio doors and nine metre wide balustrade ensured that the property’s perfect views were not obstructed.

Adding class

Mr Davies explains: “I first came across Balcony at Glassex and then went on to their website. I was impressed with the range and quality of products, with the modern curves and lines that definitely add to the look and value of a house. Their Juliette balconies and balustrades don’t have metal posts and clamps so the homeowner gets a clear view from the windows. And their curved patio doors are just stunning and add real class to the home.

Easy installation

“Balcony’s service was excellent,” continues Mr Davies. “The whole installation was very easy and progressed without a hitch. Their website is also helpful with a video that guides you through installing the products, which is easy to follow and understand. I would definitely recommend Balcony’s range to others.”

Next: 80 metres of balustrade

Mr Davies has since started a new project involving approximately 80 metres of balustrade for a large four bedroom house on the foreshore of the Menai Straits in Anglesey. The property is to be glass fronted to take advantage of the lovely views.

Balcony’s ideal Juliettes

Paul Atkinson, Proprietor of P A Joinery explains: “When building the bungalow we knew the type of products we needed for this kind of project. We researched many companies and found Balcony’s Juliettes were the most aesthetically pleasing and in line with the modern look of the building. Juliette balconies are ideal where patio doors have been installed on the first floor of a house, ensuring safety when the doors are open. But a key benefit of Balcony’s products is that there is a minimum amount of hand rail which allows maximum light into a room and a clear view looking out.

Balcony’s helpful service

“Balcony was helpful from the enquiry stage, placing the order and through to delivery. Their service is great and their products are very quick and easy to install too, which is a big bonus for builders and installers,” continues Paul. “The property owners were very happy with the balconies because they look good, do not obstruct their view and add value to the property. We recently completed a second £60,000 project in Cheadle where we installed a Juliette balcony on a five bedroom semi detached property. It looks so good, I’d consider installing one on my own property.”