Sunrock – Working to Regulation

Posted Sunrock Balconies

What are Building Regulations?

 

Sunrock Building Regulations

The UK’s Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. They are developed by the Government and approved by Parliament to ensure the safety and health for people, including those with disabilities, going in or about those buildings. They also help conserve fuel and power.

Enforced by building control bodies, you can either use approved inspectors or employ private building control firms. However, most people elect to use the expertise of their Local Authority Building Control or Inspectors department. They are there to protect you and your money from cowboy builders and unsafe practices.

 

Glass Balcony Guarantee

 

Sunrock Balcony

 

 

You can rest assured that as a national company with over 30 years’ experience, Sunrock Balconies are certainly no cowboys. We are experts in steel fabrication, glazing, and design. With regional offices throughout the UK we work on large commercial contracts as well as residential projects.

Because every planning authority is different, we would recommend you check with them before you start to design your balcony project. We can guarantee however, that all Sunrock Balconies, Balustrades and Juliet Balconies are designed, built and installed to pass UK Building Control regulations. So, as an example we follow the main regulations for balustrades below:

 

  • Balustrade will be minimum 1100mm high from Finished Floor Level.
  • At 1100mm height there is no more than 25mm deflection with a load of 0.74kn.
  • There will be no gap in the balustrade that a 100mm diameter ball can fit through.
  • If there is no handrail then Toughened Laminated Glass is used to provide a barrier if one of the panes are broken.

 

Glass Balcony Experts

The team at Sunrock will be happy to answer any questions at any time during your project. In addition, you will always be given expert advice, involving you at every stage particularly when decisions need to be made. Our team is professional, hardworking and reliable. At the end of the project we will hand over a tidy site, on schedule and in budget.

Let Sunrock Balconies make the difference you are looking for – add style, function and appeal to your home and bring the outside into your home today. Get in touch. We’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a job you have in mind.

Fall in love with a Juliet Balcony

Posted Sunrock Balconies

This week is all about love. Along with all the Valentine gifts and cards exchanged, it’s a foregone conclusion that the famous meeting of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet at Juliet’s balcony will be quoted. But, the term ‘Juliet balcony’ will also be used in the context of home improvements and we’re certain you will fall in love with them too!

 

What is a Juliet Balcony?

 

In a nutshell it’s a shallow balcony or railing which is secured to the external wall and sits just outside a window, pair of French doors or bi-fold doors on an upper storey of a building. When you open the doors wide, the balcony provides a safety barrier to the outside allowing you to enjoy the interior space whilst at the same time allowing the outside in.

 

Let the light flood in with a Juliet Balcony

 

Traditional Juliet balconies were made from steel, usually painted black, with upright bars. Installed on the wall outside, it would work as a barrier but have a cage like feeling from both within the room and externally too.

Today, the addition of a Sunrock Infinity Glass Juliet Balcony works well with the trend for open plan living. Whilst this type of balcony does not extend the floor space of a property, it can help change how you use the space. With the replacement of small windows with larger French doors or bifold doors, the room is automatically flooded with light making it feel larger and more pleasant. The air floods in when the doors are opened and you achieve a safe unobstructed view due to the glass balustrade of the Juliet Balcony. Essentially it converts the room into an enclosed balcony, fantastic for warm and sunny days.

 

 

Are Juliet Balconies Cost effective?

 

A Sunrock Infinity Glass Juliet balcony will add a stunning design feature to your property and delivers an elegant solution to fully comply with UK Building Regulations. They are becoming a popular feature on old and new UK properties. The key reason for this is that can usually be installed without the need for planning permission which also negates the need for an architect. It should be pointed out though that all Sunrock Balconies are built to fully comply with Building Regulations.

 

Sunrock Juliet Balcony

Other options to a Juliet Balcony

 

Of course, Juliet balconies may not suit every property. If you have the space and budget, Sunrock would be pleased to look at alternatives such as full balcony with its additional benefits.

We offer lots of options in both full and Juliet balconies, so why not take a look at them here. Let Sunrock Balconies make the difference you are looking for – add style, function and appeal to your home and bring the outside into your home today. Get in touch. We’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a project you have in mind.