What are the different options for Privacy Screens? Which one is right for me?
To price your balustrade requirement first choose the shape most similar to yours
Select your 'glass balcony dividers' from Balconette and elevate your morning coffee experience with more than just seclusion. Here's why:
Every 'glass balcony divider' is backed by a 10-year guarantee on its paint finish and joint strength, ensuring shape and impact strength retention. This guarantee ensures lasting privacy for many serene moments to come.
Balconette's 'glass balcony dividers' can be customized to fit any balcony depth and are easily ordered. Just provide your details to our helpful Customer Services team, and they'll guide you through the process.
Each 'glass balcony divider' is crafted from 10mm sanitised (opaque) toughened safety glass.
Choose between our Aerofoil Infinity Screens or Orbit Privacy Screens as your 'glass balcony divider.'
Balconette's 'glass balcony dividers' are synonymous with top-notch quality and straightforward installation. You can freely download instructions and technical specifications from our website. Need additional guidance? Our step-by-step videos are available to assist you in installing your privacy screen.
Maximize your leisure time by opting for an Infinity screen or Privacy screen coated with BalcoNano® self-cleaning glass coating. This innovative feature minimizes the effort needed for glass cleaning, ensuring that you and your neighbour can enjoy a spotlessly clean 'glass balcony divider' with ease.
Explore more about our diverse range of 'glass balcony dividers' here.
Impressive Balcony hidden from prying eyes
What is a Privacy Screen?
In their simplest design, privacy screens are tall panels that provide seclusion from one side to the other. Typically, they're employed to partition a shared balcony or protect your garden from prying eyes.
Frequently, privacy screens are a requirement for obtaining balcony planning permission, as using your balcony or outdoor area should not infringe upon your neighbour’s privacy by overlooking their property. Privacy screens can establish essential separation between both parties. If you're uncertain about the necessity of a privacy screen in your situation, it's advisable to consult your local council before delving into your balcony choices.
Stunning sunset over an Aerofoil Infinity Screen
At Balconette, we hold the belief that privacy screens shouldn't be confined to just their functional aspect. They should be an integral design element within your outdoor space. That's precisely why we've developed a contemporary and streamlined solution to what used to be unappealing and cumbersome privacy screens, using frosted glass. We offer two distinct privacy screen systems: Aerofoil Infinity Screen and Orbit Privacy Screen. These privacy screen systems not only fulfill their functional prerequisites, including wind resistance and building regulations, but also offer much more...
Flexible Style Options
Before delving into the details of our two distinct privacy screen options, let's first highlight the remarkable design flexibility that these systems bring to the table.
Opting for a privacy screen within your Glass Balustrade design grants you extensive choices. You can embrace the flexibility of employing privacy screening across your entire balustrade, creating a space of complete seclusion. Alternatively, you have the option to apply the screening to only a specific section of your balcony.
A mixture of obscure and transparent Glass Balustrading
Privacy screens and our standard balustrading glass create a particularly effective combination for areas like gardens, decks, or balconies that face overlooking or are overlooked by neighbouring properties. By placing Privacy screens on the side that's overlooked and using transparent, shorter glass on the front side, you can strike a perfect harmony between ensuring privacy and enjoying clear views of your garden and surroundings.
What is Aerofoil Infinity Screen – Is It Right for Me?
When it comes to enhancing your privacy, you have a variety of choices, but the Aerofoil Infinity Screen stands out as a striking option.
Our Infinity screen effortlessly integrates our standard Hybrid Aerofoil Balustrade by incorporating the uniquely shaped and precisely engineered Aerofoil handrail with a tall glass panel. The handrail has been meticulously designed to allow the single glass panel to seamlessly pass through its middle and extend above. The pass-through section of the handrail blends seamlessly into the standard balustrading handrail, creating the illusion of a continuous profile that appears as if it has been seamlessly joined together.
Satin Glass panel passes through an Aerofoil handrail
Infinity Screen lives up to its name as it eliminates the need for additional handrails, posts, or frames to support the glass beyond the handrail height, resulting in a sleek and uninterrupted appearance. This minimal use of metalwork allows ample light to filter through the glass, illuminating your balcony.
Complete your desired look by selecting either Silver or Royal Chrome finishes for the aluminium Aerofoil handrail. We opt for anodised aluminium to create our exclusive finish on our systems instead of stainless steel, as it maintains its appearance over time and is highly resistant to wear, rust, and corrosion, even in coastal environments. What's more, our anodised finishes are backed by a ten-year guarantee!
What is Orbit Privacy Screen – Is It Right for Me?
Orbit Privacy Screen offers a distinct aesthetic compared to our Infinity Screen. This alternative option creates a striking statement piece in your outdoor space by combining our exquisite standard Hybrid® Orbit Balustrading with prominent posts and an additional anodised framework.
Unlike the Infinity Screen, where the glass screen is horizontally divided by the handrail profile, Orbit privacy panels extend from the ground to the top of the glass, uninterrupted by metalwork. This design allows abundant light to filter through the panel. The system’s handrail is elegantly positioned atop each glass panel, creating an ornamental frame that defines a clear division between you and your neighbours.
Stylish Orbit Privacy Screen on a decked Balcony
Do you have an awkwardly shaped balcony and concerns about fitting the glass into the space? Worry not, as Orbit Privacy Screening offers remarkable versatility. With the handrail's support, the privacy system can be moulded into various shapes and sizes, easily tailored to your specific requirements and balcony layout. No task is too large or challenging!
Just like our Infinity Screen, you have the choice of Silver or Royal Chrome finishes for the aluminium Orbit handrail used in your privacy screen system. Moreover, all anodized finishes are backed by a ten-year guarantee.
What Type of Glass Can Be Used on Privacy Screens?
Let’s delve into the heart of the article: what makes privacy screens truly private, you ask? In the case of Balconette, the answer lies in the glass.
Obscure Glass
More often than not, our privacy screens are complemented by Obscure Glass. Obscure glass refers to any glass that distorts or conceals what lies on the other side, making it ideal for maintaining privacy. At Balconette, we provide Satin Glass and Laminated Glass with an Opaque Interlayer. The Satin Glass option features a smooth, matte finish, while our alternative choice, Laminated Glass, boasts a glossy, pearl-like sheen.
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| Laminated Glass with Opaque Interlayer | Satin Glass |
Aerofoil Infinity Screen
This system is utilises 10mm Satinized (acid etched) Glass. Its also possible to use clear or tinted 10mm toughened glass with this system.
Orbit Privacy Screen
TThis privacy system uses 12mm privacy glass (10% screen printed in white). It’s also possible to use 12mm clear.
Privacy Screen with privacy glasses
Height Limit
As mentioned earlier, local councils may require that a privacy screen be installed on your balcony to respect the interests and privacy of neighbouring parties. In such cases, the standard height for the screening is typically set at 1800mm.
However, if your goal is to maintain a positive relationship with your neighbours and you haven't received any official request to install a privacy screen, you have the option to choose a glass screen that is lower than 1800mm. It's important to note that the height of your privacy screen requires careful consideration and can be subject to adjustment based on wind loading factors. Read further to gain insight into the reasons behind this variability.
Alternative to Obscure Glass
Privacy might not be the sole reason motivating you to invest in a privacy screen. You might also seek protection against the elements without sacrificing your views. If this resonates with your situation, consider the possibility of having your privacy screen systems crafted with 10mm clear, transparent glass instead of obscure glass. Opting for clear glass offers the advantage of showcasing your surroundings without any concealment, while also serving as a welcoming shield on blustery days
Clear Infinity Screen providing shelter from wind and rain on customer’s Balcony
Wind Loads
Wind load refers to the force or pressure exerted by the wind upon a building or structure. A building's structural design should efficiently absorb and safely distribute these wind forces to maintain its structural integrity.
All our privacy screens are meticulously designed to cater to the unique requirements of each project, including considerations for wind load. To ensure the secure design of a privacy screen, several factors need to be assessed:
- The geographical location of the project and the prevailing wind speed in that area.
- The elevation of the site.
- The height of the building or structure.
- The proximity of the site to the sea.
- The fixing method and the structure into which the screen will be installed.
These parameters and conditions are outlined in BS EN 1991-1-4:2002 + A1:2010 'Actions on structures – wind actions' and the UK National Annex to EN 1991-1-4:2002 + A1:2010.
Given that wind load requirements can differ across various regions in the UK, we've established two tiers of wind load standards to accommodate these variations. We refer to these tiers as 'Normal' and 'Severe' wind load parameters. Each tier dictates a distinct maximum length for handrail spans and a specific maximum spacing between posts. These specifications are detailed below. Click here For a full breakdown of the two wind load tiers.
A stunning group of Aerofoil Infinity Screen Balconies on high-rise building
Parameters of a ‘Normal’ wind load for Orbit Privacy Screen
- This system can span up to 3000mm without the need for posts between 'points of support,' such as handrail wall fixings or handrail corner joints.
- On balconies longer than 3000mm, vertical posts are installed at a maximum spacing of 1600mm between post centres.
Parameters of a ‘Severe’ wind load for Orbit Privacy Screen
- Under a 'Severe' wind load, this system can span up to 2300mm between 'points of support,' such as handrail wall fixings or handrail corner joints.
- For balconies longer than 2300mm, vertical posts are installed at a maximum spacing of 1300mm between post centres.
Parameters of a ‘Normal’ wind load for Aerofoil Infinity Screen
- This system can span up to 2750mm without posts between 'points of support,' such as handrail wall fixings or handrail corner joints.
- On longer balconies exceeding 2750mm, vertical posts are installed at a maximum spacing of 1925mm between post centres.
Parameters of a ‘Severe’ wind load for Aerofoil Infinity Screen
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Under a 'Severe' wind load, this system can span up to 2300mm between 'points of support,' such as handrail wall fixings or handrail corner joints.
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For longer balconies exceeding 2300mm, vertical posts are installed at a maximum spacing of 1600mm between post centres.
Privacy screens and wind loading are intricate topics that require careful assessment before balcony design. Our wind load calculator is available to help you determine the wind pressure for your specific site. It's recommended to use your calculator result alongside our structural calculations for comprehensive analysis.
BalcoNano® Self-Cleaning Coating
To ensure the longest possible lifespan for your privacy screen, we strongly recommend applying our BalcoNano® self-cleaning solution.
Despite its apparent smoothness, glass possesses a textured surface. When examined under a microscope, it reveals a complex terrain of gorges and ravines. Moisture can infiltrate these microscopic crevices, leading to watermarks and residual dirt upon evaporation. BalcoNano®, however, addresses this issue by forming a transparent, thin layer on the glass. This layer renders the surface water-repellent by levelling out the microscopic irregularities, preventing dirt and other deposits from adhering to or embedding within the glass.
The application of our self-cleaning solution not only maintains the smoothness of your glass surfaces but also significantly simplifies the overall upkeep of your privacy screen. By minimizing the time and effort required to keep the glass pristine, it ensures the long-lasting elegance of your screening glass."
Contact Us
If you're looking to restore your garden privacy, our team of experienced Balconette professionals is here to provide advice and assist you in bringing your plans to fruition. Please feel free to contact us here for more information.
