Sunrock Balconies were delighted to complete a project on behalf of L & M Healthcare Hulton House in Preston.
L & M Healthcare, a specialist provider of purpose-built nursing homes, offers personalised general nursing and dementia care. They operate a network of nursing homes throughout the Northwest and work closely with their sister organisation, Dynamic Building Solutions, for the design and build. The focus is on creating surroundings that are engaging, empathetic and welcoming whilst reflecting all the individuality and warmth of their residents’ home environments.
Care homes are a growing market for Sunrock Balconies and we are helping the contractors provide safe but welcoming outdoor spaces for residents in Dementia Plus environments at first floor height.
Here’s what we did:
Infinity glass balustrade 1800mm high from finished floor level
No handrail to the centre making it non-climbable
Balcony flooring with Millboard Enhanced Grain Decking which is slip rated – tested in accordance with BS79.76 Pendulum Friction Test.
Courtyard balcony waterproofed to provide a stay dry space for guests if it’s raining
Dining Room balcony not waterproofed to allow water drips through decking boards
The customer branded the glass with decals
Take a look at the images of the work Sunrock Balconies completed:
Courtyard Balcony
Dining Room Balcony
Balcony flooring with Millboard Enhanced Grain Decking
Find out more about Sunrock Balconies infinity glass balconies and our other services today by contacting us by email on Info@sunrockbalconies.co.uk. Alternatively, you can request a free quote today through our website. We look forward to hearing from you and showcasing how we can transform your home or commercial premises.
Glass has many extraordinary merits for you to discover. An architectural phenomenon, it’s used on millions of balustrades, door canopies, staircases and other features throughout both private and commercial properties across the country.
Whether it’s used internally or externally, there are many benefits that you can reap from opting to having it installed within a building.
As a bespoke design that’s manufactured and fitted to your property’s exact dimensions, you’ll have a custom solution that offers the following notable advantages:
It Brings in Natural Light
No matter where it’s located in your property or office, it will help to bring natural light in. This incredible benefit helps to reduce your energy costs, saving you money in the long term.
But it’s not only the financial benefit that you can take advantage of with this. By bringing natural light into the property you will notice the wonderful atmosphere it creates. As glass absorbs and transmits the light, it adds an undeniable beauty to the building that can’t be ignored.
No longer will you have to rely on artificial lighting – now you have a practical and delightful feature that allows for plenty of natural light to flood into the building.
It Adds A Feeling of Space
Do you feel as though your home is closed off to its surroundings? By adding infinity glass balustrades (or another glass feature) your property will feel as though it’s been opened up to nature. Adding a feeling of space, you’ll be able to go out and enjoy the outside (or admire it from the interior of the building) no matter what time of year.
This benefit is incredibly prominent when you don’t have a lot of room to play with or you simply want to make more use of the exterior of your property.
It Radiates Modern Ambience
Not only does it add more space and bring in more light but it radiates modern ambience. When a building has infinity glass features, it undeniably looks more contemporary and stylish both internally and externally. Transforming the look and the feel of it, it’s unlike any other feature you could add.
Showcasing your property in a unique way, it gives a complete aesthetic look to the structure that you wouldn’t have got from other designs. This rendered aesthetic also allows for easier cleaning throughout the year – a benefit that people often forget about.
Final Thoughts
So, there you go. Those are just some of the remarkable architectural merits that come with glass. A practical and incredibly sophisticated design choice, you’ll love the benefits that come with it the moment it’s installed in your home or office building.
So what are you waiting for? Find out more about Sunrock Balconies infinity glass balustrades, glass floors, stairs and our other services today by contacting us by email on Info@sunrockbalconies.co.uk or at one of our offices.
Alternatively, you can request a free quote today through our website. We look forward to hearing from you and showcasing how we can transform your home or building through the use of high-quality and beautiful glass.
In Britain, we’re lucky to be spoiled with over 19,000 miles of beautiful scenic coastline. Coastal properties are some of the most sought after in the country and an attractive sea view can add up to 50% to the value of a property.
A well-designed balcony or deck can be the perfect place from which to enjoy those beautiful views and breath the sea air.
But harsh coastal environments can cause you major headaches when it comes to maintaining your property. Salty air, wind, fog and humidity can cause corrosion and damage to your home and your balconies and balustrades will bear the brunt of this.
One of the pure joys of owning a coastal property is those fantastic sea views. Why would you then interrupt those with wooden or metal balustrades?
Infinity glass balustrades allow you to enjoy those amazing sea views without interruption creating a seamless extension of your indoor and outdoor living spaces.
You won’t have to worry about blocking out those glorious sunrises and sunsets either as the glass will let the light through them and into your home.
Create A Feeling Of Space
Glass has been used by designers for hundreds of years to create a feeling of more space within a home, by having this transparent balustrade, you not only get a great view, but you create a seamless transition between your home, your outside space and the landscape beyond.
Glass Is The Most Versatile Of Materials
Every home is unique and you put your style on it with every choice. Whether your home is modern or more traditional in style, glass is a great choice.
Coastal properties often feature large windows to take advantage of the views. Glass will complement the existing features and can be used both inside and out on features such as staircases, balconies, pools fencing and elevated walkways.
You can choose glass in a variety of shades, tints and etchings and from a number of fixing, styles and handrails.
It’s Built To Withstand The Elements
The British weather is nothing if not erratic. Unlike most other materials, glass won’t rot in the damp, salty conditions of the coast. It’s also strong enough to deal with the high winds.
This robustness against the elements makes it a great choice when it comes to safety. Like iron, tempered glass is very strong but won’t be compromised by corrosion.
If you’d like to know more about our glass balustrades or would like to talk through a project for your coastal property, Sunrock Balconies has a dedicated team of experts who can help and advise you on all aspects of your project. Our aim is to help add function, style, and appeal to your home so get in touch today.
Glass is one of the most common materials used for the production of items we use every day. Our pre-historic ancestors used naturally formed glass from volcanic lava which had rapidly solidified without crystallisation for weapons or tools. This type of glass was of great value and was very much sought after.
Archaeological evidence of the first manufacturing of glass has been found in Ancient Egypt dating back to 1500BC. However, glass from these times was produced by glazing pre-made items or beads that had accidentally formed from metalwork. It was in the Bronze Age that the first signs of glassmaking as we know it became apparent where molten glass was poured into containers.
It wasn’t until
the 1st century BC that glass blowing was first used by Syrian and
Palestinian workers. This changed the whole industry enabling easy production
at lower costs. The Romans spread the technique across their empire, and it
became commonplace not only for the production of jewellery and containers but
for architectural purposes.
How is glass
made today?
Glass is made from sand. Sand contains soda ash, lime and silica, which when heated, becomes liquid. We’re talking temperatures of at least 1700°C or 3090°F!
Once it’s reached this temperature it completely transforms so it will never return to its original state and even when cooled it never quite solidifies. Scientists call this type of liquid an ‘amorphous solid’. So, as incredible as is sounds, it has the characteristics of a solid and a liquid!
Why is glass so versatile?
Glass is relatively inexpensive to produce. Because it’s
transparent it can be used for a variety of purposes in and around our homes
and workplaces. It is commonplace within the architecture of buildings adding
interest, natural light and character.
It has a resistance to heat once it is set and it is ‘chemically
inert’ – in other words it’s unreactive to materials or food products place on
it or in it, so it is great for storage of food for instance.
Coloured, opaque, etched, moulded or cut, glass is exceptionally
adaptable but equally, can be easily recycled or upcycled.
What is Laminated Glass?
Sunrock
Balconies
use laminated glass for balustrades. Laminated glass has a plastic interlay
placed between two sheets of glass during production. This creates a tight bond
so if the laminated glass does get damaged it will remain intact because the
fragments are bound on the thin film of interlay. Therefore, it doesn’t shatter
into tiny pieces and reduces the risk of injury.
Laminated glass provides greater UV resistance and sound
proofing compared to standard glass so it’s great for external balcony
balustrading and internal glass walls.
So, we’ve established that glass is exceptionally versatile and practical. That’s exactly why Sunrock uses it for infinity glass balustrades because they match these qualities. Fabulous design features, adding interest and luxury they will add style and sophistication to your home or outside space.
All are designed to your specifications making sure that Sunrock balustrading helps to change your lifestyle and create a feeling of space from within as well as more living space outside. We guarantee everything will be compliant with UK building regulations.
Take a look
through our product range to get some more ideas, or if you
are ready for the next step then request a quote today. If you’re still unsure,
feel free to Get in touch –
we’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a job you have in mind.
As a decadent looking material, glass has become very
popular around the home. Indeed, the use of glass has established itself as a
key element of contemporary architecture of buildings.
New technology and innovation means that sustainable products can be
produced using glass. It’s these qualities that make it an attractive material
to use in construction as well as it’s practicality. It is no surprise therefore,
that glass is now being increasingly used in alternative ways in and around the
home, as well as in commercial settings.
Evidence suggests that people want open plan living in
their homes. Being transparent, glass gives a real sense of space where internal
living accommodation requires division for safety or stability or in external
areas where safety is paramount but visual impact is equally important.
Being a more stable and resistant building material, which is easy to clean and maintain, glass is high on homeowners’ wish lists and architects plans. Here at Sunrock, we use glass for balustrading to improve and enhance the style, function and appeal of homes and commercial buildings both inside and out. Here’s how:
Garden Balustrading
Gardens, large or small need to be versatile. Depending on the size of the family, a garden may need a play area for children with a social space for entertaining and for relaxation as well as space for cultivating flowers and possibly vegetables.
One solution is to ‘slice’ up a garden to define the zones is to install glass balustrading so each area is separated physically but not visually.
A great example is a kids play area. Zoning it off with glass balustrading will keep them (and potential mess!) can be contained within this space but parents can still keep an eye on the children.
Balcony Balustrading
There is no doubt that a glass balcony is a great way to improve both the look and functionality of your outdoor area whether it’s a patio, deck or small garden.
Infinity Glass balustrading is a fabulous feature to provide a barrier without limited the views between your indoor and outside living areas. As a result, they deliver a wonderful feeling of space, providing a safety barrier as well.
Glass Canopy
How about an elegant way to shield your visitors from the elements? Installing a glass canopy outside your entrance provides this shelter whilst allowing light to filter into the building.
Dividers and Barriers
Glass balustrades are a great way to guide people as they walk around a building putting a physical barrier in place without blocking light or impairing spatial vision.
It’s very easy for people to get confused or disorientated in large open workplaces. Glass balustrades offer the solution to create markers for guidance particularly as they can also be privacy etched or frosted too. This is a great way to create modern feel.
They are also a great addition to staircases allowing full vision and an open aspect in the room.
Rooftop gardens require a safety barrier too but why block off the views! Infinity glass balustrading offers the solution to both safety and vision.
Swimming Pool Safety
Do you have a water feature in your garden? If so, you are not alone as
many domestic gardens now have them from a small pond to a swimming pool or a
hot tub.
One problem associated with these are accidents where the tragic reality of drowning is a risk to be avoided. In the UK there is no law which regulates fencing off swimming pools or ponds for safety purposes. However, an effective solution to this risk is to use glass balustrading to fence off the water and provide access through lockable gate. The transparency of the glass will ensure you can still enjoy the view.
Glass Floors
Have you got an area that could do with more light? Letting more light into the area below your balcony creates openness. Glass floors with glass wells integral to the balcony decking is one option, while the other is an entire glass floor made from laminated toughed glass. At Sunrock they are available in a variety of shades; clear, tinted or privacy etched and they all have spot grip pads added as a safety feature.
Stunning Home Accessory
All the above are practical uses but we also think glass balustrades are
stunning features in their own right. They can be added within the home or
garden just as a design feature giving it additional interest with a luxurious
feel.
All in all, we believe glass balustrades are a worthwhile
addition to any property. At Sunrock Balconies we offer
glass balustrading make outdoor living rooms for your family to enjoy. We also
provide internal balustrading. All are beautifully designed to your
specifications. Sunrock balustrading can change your lifestyle and create a
feeling of space from within as well as more living space outside, all
compliant with UK building regulations.
Take a look
through our product range to get some more ideas, or if you
are ready for the next step then request a quote today.
If you’re still
unsure, feel free to Get in touch –
we’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a job you have in mind.
When did you last check your balustrades – are they still safe?
Whilst adding style and sophistication to your outside or inside space, a balustrade also acts as a safety barrier.
Whether it’s made from glass, wood or metal the balustrade is positioned on the edge of a higher area where there is a drop, so it prevents falls and subsequent injury.
Wherever they are situated, staircase or balcony balustrades are popular. However, it can’t always be assumed that once installed they will continue to be safe and do the job they are intended for. Balustrades work by resisting the force and pressure of someone falling against it. It absorbs the impact so it shouldn’t budge but transfer the force through the entire balustrading. If any part of it moves, is indicates a weak point which will need to be repaired or replaced immediately.
What to Check
It is essential there is absolutely no movement on the balustrade or any of its component parts. Check for movement in the following way:
Whether you have glass or wooden balusters you must check to see if they are loose or move. They are designed to give strength and structure of the whole system as well as the physical barrier to stop people falling through it.
Check each post between the balustrades to ensure they are completely intact. Any missing fixings or screws need to be replaced urgently.
Handrails should not move when held.
It is important to check the materials used for any damage too:
Wooden balustrades tend to be made from Hardwood which is dense and strong and therefore hardy. However, it is susceptible to pests like woodworm. It can also attract algae and be affected by heavy weathering. Any damage to the balustrade will compromise its strength
Glass balustrades are usually made with toughened glass, so they are incredibly strong. This type of glass will chip not shatter. However, if it is severely damaged it could crack out from the centre of the impact. If there is any damage the strength of it will be compromised.
Stainless steel is rust-proof and aluminium also offers resistance to damp and rain. However, check the joints for any damage or movement and repair if any is found.
Check to see if there are any changes to components. Any clamps, brackets, welding, screws and fixings should be checked for damage, wear and tear and definitely no movement. If there is, replace them.
Does your Balustrade System meet Current Regulations?
A balustrade system could have been in place for a long time. Though they will have met the building regulations at the that time, they probably won’t meet current building regulations.
How Often Should I Check Balustrades?
External balustrades should be checked for damage after heavy storms or sustained bad weather. For interior balustrades, check on a frequent basis, especially if the balustrade is continually used. All balustrades should be checked for movement after an extended period of inactivity or where it has received impact or actually broke a person’s fall.
Whether you’re looking to replace your balustrades due to damage or you just fancy a change, Sunrock Balconies have the solution for you.
Sunrock’s Infinity Glass balustrades are not only the necessary safety barrier, but they are the ultimate design feature for breaking down visual barriers between your indoor and outside living areas. Beautifully engineered, ultra-modern and completely frameless, they deliver a wonderful feeling of space, while at the same time being compliant with regulations and extremely durable.
Have a look through our product range to get some ideas, or if you are ready for the next step then request a quote today. Alternatively get in touch – we’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a job you have in mind.
Thinking about adding a balustrade to your balcony or terrace?
Consider glass balustrades first….. here’s why.
Adding a balustrade to your balcony or terrace helps to separate a space for outdoor living from your garden or other external areas. It also provides and essential safety feature if the area is raised and very often adds the perfect finishing touch to your project.
Balustrades can be produced from a variety of materials such as wood, stone, plastic, wrought iron or steelwire. But it’s our Glass Balustrades that we want to talk about here! We call them Infinity Glass Balustrades simply because that is what they offer – an infinity view. But that’s not all they offer – here’s what other qualities they can:
Add Style
Sunrock Infinity Glass Balustrades offer sophistication and elegance to your outdoor living space. They can transform your patio, balcony or terrace by allowing maximum light in plus an uninterrupted viewpoint. Our Infinity Glass Juliet Balconies provide the safety barrier you need for your family whilst at the same time allowing light to flood into your room.
Add Value
Having an Infinity Glass Balustrade installed is most likely to add financial value to your property. The words ‘high end’, ‘luxury’ and ‘modern’ are all key words you can associate with our balustrades – words which are very often on the wish list of homebuyers looking for a modern finish and luxurious feel to their potential new home.
Add Versatility
The nature of glass ensures that it fits seamlessly into most indoor and outdoor designs. Sunrock Infinity Glass Balustrades are beautifully engineered, ultra-modern and can be completely frameless. As a result, they deliver a wonderful feeling of space drawing the area beyond in and allowing light to flood in.
Add Durability
Believe it or not glass is very durable. It will not be affected by weathering such as rotting or fading. Our balustrades without a handrail are manufactured with 17.5 mm laminated toughened glass. Those with a secure handrail will be 15mm toughened glass. All rails and fixings are matching marine grade 316 stainless steel which is particularly good if you are by the coast or have a swimming pool. All glass is certificated.
Add Simplicity
Forget about oiling timber every year or replacing rusty railings. Life is far too busy for that. Sunrock’s Infinity Glass Balustrades are the perfect solution offering a simple cleaning regime rather than time consuming and laborious maintenance. All you have to do is wipe the glass over with a soft cloth using a mild detergent diluted in water. We’d suggest doing this every 1-2 months, depending on where you live and how the weather has been. Alternatively, how about asking your window cleaner to do it?
If you’d like to know more about our products or would like to talk through a project you have in mind, Sunrock Balconies has a dedicated team of experts who can help and advise you on all aspects of your project. Our aim is to help add function, style, and appeal to your home so get in touch today.
British Homeowners like nothing more than to carry out home improvements to add value, improve their living space and create kerb appeal.
But have you ever thought that it can also have a positive impact on your wellbeing too?
Here’s how:-
Safety First
If you have small children or pets you’ll be well aware of the dangers of a raised terrace or an unsafe balustrade. Sunrock’s Infinity Glass Balustrades and Juliet Balconies act as an attractive barrier to prevent accidents. They are built to UK Building regulations so your mind can be put at ease that your family will be safe.
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.
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.
Sunrock’s Infinity Glass Balustrades can transform a terrace from what could be an unusable space to one that will provide a safe area with the added benefit of being shielded from the wind.
In addition, our new Infinity View Juliet Balconies provide a safe way to fill your room with light and fresh air too.
Sunny Situation
We all love the sun – it has a huge impact on our mood and also boosts health and wellbeing. The vitamin D derived from sunlight boosts the immune system and UV promotes the production of serotonin which improves our mood and levels of energy. Our Infinity Glass Balustrades and Juliet Balconies allow large amounts of light to flood into the room compared to wooden fence or metal railing so they have a positive impact on your outlook in more ways than one!
Feel at Home
For smaller gardens, our Infinity Glass Balustrades really come into their own. They are the ultimate design feature for breaking down visual barriers between your indoor and outside living areas. Beautifully designed they create a feeling of space from inside as well as providing more living space outside. This will help to change your lifestyle by giving you the opportunity to really maximise your garden, giving greater access to a pleasant and useful space so you can feel good about your home.
Having read this you may want to tap into the feeling of wellbeing and 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.
There is a real threat to the supply of glass to the Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) industry. Some suppliers have found availability of some types of glass is limited or has been delivered late.
The price of glass is also a real issue not only for the suppliers but for customers wishing to buy glass products from them. Manufacturers will inevitably have to pass on their costs to their customers and this is a tricky situation for any industry.
What is the cause of the glass shortage?
Europe is going through a strong construction phase but at the same time key float lines have been closed down. Float lines are where sheets of glass are made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal which gives the sheet uniform thickness and a very flat surface. In the UK, very little glass is produced for own use, mainly because the larger firms have scaled back their production. As a result, we have to import a lot of glass from Europe which is adding demand to a dwindling supply.
In recent reports suggestion has been made that the shortage has been engineered to justify price increases. However, when there is a demand for a product that is short in supply, whether it’s deliberate or not, price is a genuine problem. It’s also been mooted that the IGU sector has kept prices artificially low in recent years. As prices rise therefore, those who have sold on price only, will now have no room to move. So, lack of supply and price may well see some of these companies closing because they cannot survive in such a market.
For the larger glass producers, the UK is not a very profitable market. Poor exchange rates and a slowed GDP (Growth Domestic Product) along with growth of European construction means they can make the commercial decision to actively focus on supplying glass to Europe and beyond. In other words, they can pick and choose who they supply to because glass is becoming a very valuable commodity.
For some the outcome could be very serious. If there is no glass to create their product, installation companies will have to source it elsewhere and pay the higher cost which could break them. However, if like Sunrock there is a strong and loyal business to business relationship between them then this provides a more positive outlook.
Plan don’t panic
This situation has been brewing for some time, but panic and speculation can have a detrimental effect on it too. So, it’s all about planning. Sunrock will ensure that stock is secured and allocated for orders already placed. For those customers who have had a quote we will honour all it for 60 days from its date. However, if you would like to proceed with a Sunrock order, we suggest you place it as soon as possible to lock in current prices. We can then ensure the components are reserved as well as maintaining the price.
Here at Sunrock Balconiesour dedicated team of experts can help and advise you on all aspects of your project. Our aim is to help add function, style, and appeal to your home so get in touch, we’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss a project you have in mind.
Our Design and Build philosophy is borne out of experience – over 30 years of it in fact!
We see it from 3 different perspectives because Sunrock always wants to ensure the best possible outcome for its customers. That way, you can sit back and relax knowing everything will be taken care of from start to finish.
Bespoke Design
At Sunrock we design the balcony to fit the exact dimensions specific to your home. The very nature of this means that every single Sunrock product from the smallest Juliet to a full Balcony Frame is custom designed for your property, then made absolutely bespoke to your specifications.
This is one reason why we don’t provide pricing online as every property will be different.
Safety
All Sunrock Balconies, Balustrades and Juliet Balconies are designed, built and installed to pass UK Building Control regulations so you can be assured they are completely safe.
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.
Peace of Mind
Leave it all to us! At Sunrock we work directly with you but can also liaise and consult with your architect, contractors or tradesmen. We will do our utmost to get the best results for your balcony project.
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.
Why not let Sunrock help and advise you on your project? We can assist you to add function, style, and appeal to your home so get in touch, we’d be happy to answer any questions or just have a chat about a project you have in mind.
What is the cause of the glass shortage?