Make a difference with beautiful balustrades

Make a difference with beautiful balustrades

Combining low maintenance durability with safety and style is key to the success of any residential balustrades project. Nick Haughton, Marketing Manager at Sapphire Balustrades, looks at the latest developments to maximise aesthetic appeal and performance and highlights the use of innovative balustrade solutions for balconies and stairways. Beautiful balustrades and balconies are a choice, but a must.

The world of architecture and building specification is constantly evolving, not only to satisfy increasingly stringent environmental regulations but also to reflect new design ideas and changes in the way we live and work. As a result, modern methods of construction and materials are being used more widely in order to create sustainable buildings that are as visually impressive as they are functional and cost-efficient to build.

When it comes to new residential developments, living space is at an increasing premium, particularly in urban areas, and finding innovative ways to make the most of the space available is a high priority for housebuilders and developers. An attractive balcony and balustrade combination can be used to great architectural effect, whilst also adding value and boosting a development’s sales appeal. Not surprisingly perhaps, glass balcony balustrades are becoming the preferred choice for many developments, providing clear, unobstructed views for residents. The transparent nature of glass helps to create the illusion of space and light, maximising the available surface area, whilst delivering a sleek and stylish finish in a whole range of settings, given the users perception of beautiful balustrades and balconies being closely associated with glass. Although glass infill panels are often perceived as a more expensive option than metal, glass isn’t necessarily beyond the reach of projects with a limited budget. Working with an experienced balustrade manufacturer with the relevant expertise in glass can make glass both a cost-effective and low maintenance solution that simply needs cleaning rather than repainting at regular intervals like some metal balustrades.

Modern balustrading systems for all types of balconies, together with advances in construction techniques and building materials, are making it simpler and faster to design and manufacture high quality solutions to exacting specifications. The innovative use of off-site fabrication has become a real alternative to more traditional production methods. Residential balconies, complete with decking and glass and stainless steel balustrades, can now be manufactured and fully assembled in a production facility and delivered to site ready for fast track installation.

By fabricating balconies in production line conditions a high degree of quality control over the finished units can be maintained. In addition to this benefit, site time and associated costs, such as scaffolding hire, are minimised for contractors and developers; while product quality can be kept consistently high compared with completing all of the work on site. Balconies are produced off-site whilst on-site works by other trades are being completed, such as installing doors and windows etc. With the building prepared the finished balconies are delivered to site ready to be craned into position before being fixed to the building structure in the specified fashion.

In recent years, stainless steel balusters (upright posts) and handrails have become sleeker and fixings for glazed infill panels have tended to become slimmer and more stylish. ‘Structural’ glazing systems are increasingly popular, that is balustrades where the glazing panels require no baluster posts and their own structural strength is used to withstand overturning loads and to support the handrail. This has led to the development of innovative bottom fix channel systems to support frameless glass panels, with handrails attached near the top of the glass panel.

As balcony and balustrade combinations and fixing details become more critical in contemporary building design, it is even more important to involve the right balcony and structure manufacturer at the earliest stage. Smart and personal service from the manufacturer can make a significant difference. It gives greater flexibility in aesthetic design, and minimises time and risk costs on site – true value engineering..

Summing up, beautiful balustrade and balcony systems will no doubt continue to develop to meet the changing aesthetic and functional demands of modern buildings. Developments are being driven by the need to provide solutions that are architecturally distinctive and which make it simpler and more cost-effective to achieve the highest standards of design and performance. Finding an experienced company that can provide reliable service and support throughout the design and specification process is critical to minimising time and hassle on site.

Don’t be scare to design beautiful balustrades, they don’t have to cost the earth and safety is always an inherent part to any of Sapphire’s beautiful balustrades and balconies.