Glass Balustrade in Whitehaven, Cumbria

Keith Ross - Whitehaven, Cumbria 

Balconette offers a corrosion-resistant balcony solution for coastal areas

With no posts to obscure the view, this simple, yet stylish Balconette balustrade near Whitehaven in Cumbria creates a seamless connection to sunsets and the sea.

Its ‘sheltered’ design in the west-facing newbuild house was a key factor for homeowner Keith Ross so that he and his family could make the most of far-reaching views, whatever the weather.

“Even during the summer, it can be quite breezy here, even though the sun’s out. So, we wanted some shelter to be able to have the outside feeling looking out to the coast, west and south,” says Keith.

He discovered Balconette through internet research, saying ‘there are many companies doing these types of glass balustrades, but I wanted to make sure that we used the best’. The ‘clean lines’ of Balconette’s balustrade and quality finish were key factors in his decision. Additionally, having seen Balconette’s ‘Balcony Views’ magazine, ‘my mind was made up then’.

Keith opted for Balconette’s Aerofoil Glass Balustrade System with its four-metre-long wing-shaped handrail and base track in a Silver anodised finish. The maximum structural length without posts of the Aerofoil System is four metres (when fixed wall to wall), allowing him to achieve his ‘clear’ vision of a postless balcony. 

“The handrail lines up with the railway line, so it disappears into the horizon when you’re sitting on the sofa; it’s brilliant,” he continues. “There are no posts obscuring our view and we wanted glass to see right through. It’s really good and we’re incredibly pleased with it.”

Being so close to the sea, Keith specified BalcoNano® self-cleaning glass coating that protects the glass and keeps it cleaner by repelling mineral deposits and rainwater faster. “Sea spray does cling to the panels, but then a heavy rain shower washes it off. It does work and helps to keep the glass cleaner.”

The glass balustrade and low maintenance Millboard decking were installed by Miro Timko, owner of Decking Design who says: “The combination of Balconette’s Aerofoil balustrade and a composite decking is a corrosion-resistant balcony solution for higher-risk coastal locations like this.”

Coastal location is a ‘critical factor’ to bear in mind, as Keith observes: “Some people may be concerned about installing a balcony in such a harsh area, but it can be done if you use the right products.”

The anodised aluminium finishes on Balconette’s balustrade systems come with a 10-year guarantee as standard, even on the coast and under harsh marine conditions.

He would recommend the Balconette and Millboard decking system ‘because it is an integral balcony above the kitchen ceiling’. “As the balustrade sits on a cushioned support, which means no fixings onto the roof, we didn’t compromise the waterproof roof system at all,” he explains. “The only drilling was for the bottom rail for the glass and into the wall for the handrail. It’s an important factor with the weather.”

He adds: “When the weather’s good, we like to sit upstairs and take in the views through the glass balustrade as we get amazing sunsets.