Residential Project
Bespoke Glass Balustrades & Juliet Balconies
Residential Client | Loughton, Essex
Discover how our client gave their home an ultra-modern upgrade by incorporating a wide range of bespoke toughened glass features, including; balustrades, partitions, and frameless Juliet balconies.
Client Overview
A professional couple with two young children, looking to transform their residence through extensive home renovation. The scope of their project included significant expansions designed to accommodate their family’s need for additional space. Central to their vision was the creation of a bright, open, and airy living environment that would not only enhance the spaciousness of their home but also promote a sense of openness and light. Their goal was to fuse practicality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring a living space that was functional for their daily family life, and visually expansive. As part of achieving this vision, they sought high-quality, durable glass solutions that would integrate seamlessly into their modern design aspirations, bringing their concept of a spacious, illuminated home to life.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges faced in this project was the search for a reliable supplier capable of producing bespoke, custom-made glass products tailored to the unique specifications of the renovation. The clients required solutions that not only fit the precise measurements and aesthetic desires of their expanded living space but also improved safety. This requirement was crucial to ensure both the safety and legality of the installation, given the presence of young children and the structural changes involved in the renovation.
The specificity of the products needed, such as toughened glass balustrades, glass partitions, and glass Juliet balconies, demanded high precision in both design and manufacturing. Each piece needed to seamlessly integrate with the existing architectural elements while enhancing the overall openness and brightness of the space. Finding a supplier with the expertise to meet these stringent demands while maintaining a commitment to quality and regulatory compliance was a significant hurdle that needed to be addressed to move the project forward successfully.
Solutions
To address the unique requirements and challenges presented by the client’s home renovation, we devised a series of bespoke solutions that balanced safety, aesthetics, and compliance with building regulations. Here’s how we approached each specific area:
Entrance and Stairway Balustrades
For the home’s entrance, which included the stair and landing areas, we recommended the use of 20.8mm thick toughened laminated glass for the balustrades. This choice was driven by the need to comply with balustrade safety regulations while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the space. The thick glass provides superior durability and safety, effectively protecting against fall hazards, and shattering under stress or impact, while promoting light flow and spatial continuity. This solution not only met the practical safety requirements but also aligned with the client’s desire for a bright and open living environment.
Juliet Balconies
The client’s design included full-length windows that opened inwards on the upper floors, necessitating a protective barrier to prevent falls. To meet this need while adhering to the clean, modern aesthetic of the home, we introduced a frameless top mount Juliet balcony system. This system is designed to offer a nearly invisible look, minimising visual obstructions and maintaining a seamless appearance between the home’s interior and exterior. The frameless design ensures that safety features complement rather than detract from the home’s design and architectural beauty.
These tailored solutions not only fulfilled the client’s specific requirements but also exemplified our commitment to providing high-quality, customised glass solutions that enhance both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of residential spaces.
Project Execution
As a supplier committed to precision and quality, our role in the project execution was pivotal, albeit focused exclusively on the provision of materials rather than their installation. Understanding the critical nature of accurate measurements and appropriate product selection, we engaged in a thorough collaborative process with the client and their chosen installers.
Collaboration and Planning
Initially, we conducted several detailed discussions with both the client and their installation team to fully understand the specific needs and dimensions of each installation site within the home, before creating and providing them with proofs for sign-off. This step was crucial to avoid any potential discrepancies that could affect the fit and finish of the glass products.
Measurement Verification
We took extra precautions to verify all measurements provided by the installers. Our team offered guidance on measuring techniques to ensure that the dimensions taken were precise. This not only facilitated a seamless installation process but also helped in maintaining the integrity and aesthetic appeal of the design.
Product Selection Confirmation
Before commencing production, we confirmed that the chosen products—20.8mm toughened laminated glass for the balustrades and the frameless top mount system for the Juliet balconies—were the best fit for the client’s needs. We discussed the benefits of each product in detail, ensuring the client was well-informed and satisfied with the choices.
Production and Delivery
Once all details were confirmed and measurements double-checked, we moved forward with the production of the custom-made glass. Our focus was on crafting these items to exact specifications, ensuring each piece met our high standards of quality and precision. After production, our in-house logistics team coordinated the delivery to align with the installation schedule, ensuring that all components arrived on-site in perfect condition, ready for installation.
This meticulous approach not only ensured a perfect fit upon installation but also minimised the risk of delays or additional costs, thereby enhancing client satisfaction and maintaining the project timeline.
Outcome
The project, while ambitious, was successfully completed with commendable smoothness, despite an unexpected hiccup during production. This exemplifies our commitment to quality and responsiveness in the face of challenges.
Issue Resolution
During the toughening process, one piece of the glass unfortunately broke—a rare occurrence but a known risk given the inherent fragility of the material. Our quality assurance measures quickly identified the issue, allowing us to promptly initiate the remanufacturing of the glass. Our proactive communication ensured that the client and installation team were fully aware of the situation and our actions to resolve it.
Timely Completion
The breakage did not impact the overall project timeline. At the time of the incident, the installers were still engaged in preliminary site preparations, which provided a buffer for us to remake and deliver the new glass piece without causing delays. This seamless coordination underscored our ability to manage projects efficiently, even when unexpected events occur.
Client Satisfaction
Upon completion, the client expressed great satisfaction with both the visual and functional quality of the glass installations. The toughened laminated glass balustrades and frameless Juliet balconies met their expectations for safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal, aligning perfectly with their vision of a bright, open home. Their positive feedback not only affirmed the success of the project but also reinforced our reputation as a reliable supplier of bespoke glass solutions.
“From start to finish, working with The Glass Warehouse was a fairly seamless experience, which was suprising given the complexities of the project. They were quick to resolve the issue with the broken glass and kept myself, my wife, and my installer informed and up-to-date with all progress to ensure timing was just right.”
D Groom – Home Owner
This project serves as a testament to our ability to deliver high-quality products and manage logistical challenges effectively, ensuring client satisfaction even under less than ideal circumstances.
Explore the products used in this project
Balustrade Glass
Juliet Balcony & Top Mount System (Aluminium, Anodised)
