Glass Balconies - a Surprising Solution to Child Safety
To price your balustrade requirement first choose the shape most similar to yours
Who doesn't love the idea of a balcony? Enduringly popular, especially if you don't have a garden or if you do have a beautiful view, balconies add joy to a building. But if you have small children around, balconies can become more of a concern. They may tear around, throw toys over the balustrades just to see what happens, and inevitably, they'll try to peer over the top. It's easy to understand why the idea of mixing children and balconies concerns many parents and grandparents.
Ensuring Child Safety on Balconies
It can be challenging to relax when you're on or near a traditional metal or wooden balcony with small children. The gaps between the railings, as well as those at the bottom, are just the right size for teddies and toy trucks to tumble to the ground. Meanwhile, snacks, crayons, and balls may roll off your balcony before you can react. And if you're the proud parent of an adventurous soul, you know that even the smallest step or horizontal bar can be an irresistible invitation to climb. While fancy ironwork and trellising may look stylish, they can make it too easy for a little one to ascend the heights of a balcony, potentially leading to disastrous consequences.
A Simple Way to Safer Balconies
So, if you want a balcony on your property but worry about child safety, what should you do? In addition to responsible parenting and childcare, the answer is easier than you might have guessed: install glass balconies. Whether you prefer a traditional style with posts and handrails or frameless or semi-frameless balustrades, Balconette's range of glass balustrades is a stylish and safe choice. Here's why:
The toughened glass on our balustrades is the last word in reassurance. So, balls, flying dolls, or play fights can do their worst. Smashed glass and the associated dangers won't be an issue with 10mm toughened glass as standard on all our balconies.
Our balustrades are designed to be fitted with minimal gaps between the glass panels. We recommend a 30mm gap—large enough to prevent trapping little fingers but too small to accommodate Batman for a morning flight lesson. Additionally, they are designed to be flush with the floor or a small wall, preventing little cars or balls from rolling off the balcony.
Our bracket-free balconies not only look sleek and stylish but also provide practical reassurance for child safety. They lack foot or finger holds, making it challenging for budding climbers to ascend for a better view. This ensures both safer children and happier parents.
One of the greatest advantages of a glass balcony is the unobstructed view it offers. With no obstructions, children are unlikely to attempt climbing for a better view. They can enjoy the same vistas as older children and adults, happily observing the world from their perspective. As a bonus, they're protected from the wind, ensuring not only safety but also warmth and contentment.
The range of glass options can be a real bonus when fitting glass balconies with children around. The frosted glass option provides you with the choice to have a balcony that's completely private. This way, little ones aren't distracted by the view beyond their play area, and you don't need to worry about people looking in. It's ideal for settings that regularly host many children, offering a nice way to add privacy to a safe outdoor area without resorting to more traditional fencing options.
Of course, one issue we can't do much about is how sticky little children can get. With little handprints and smears aplenty, it's fair to say that any surface quickly looks grubby when small children are around. Despite knowing that those little sticky handprints are a passing phase, you can make your job easier by treating the glass with BalcoNano®, our proprietary self-cleaning glass coating. One application will make cleaning the glass a breeze – just a quick wipe with a wet cloth, and your glass will be clean again without the need for harsh chemicals or lots of rubbing. This gives you more time to tidy up all those toys…
