Few home improvement products can match the sheer impact, practical appeal and aesthetics of a curved sliding patio door. Combining panoramic views with enhanced light to the interior, curved doors add a dramatic new perspective to any property.
Since introducing these unique doors to the UK marketplace, Balcony Systems, a specialist manufacturer and supplier of curved glass patio doors and glass balustrading, has experienced sustained demand from homeowners, architects and developers seeking an innovative alternative to the traditional ‘straight’ patio product.
Offering virtually limitless design possibilities, this affordable and versatile system allows for a variety of configurations from two curved sliding doors up to six door panels that open up approximately two thirds of the aperture.
Available in standard solid or thermally-broken aluminium profiles, the curved glass can be supplied as Low-E glass to improve thermal efficiency and is available in double-glazed units up to 28mm thick. All doors come with multi-point locks for additional security.
Doors can also be delivered with a factory-applied, low-maintenance self-clean glass coating to reduce the frequency of cleaning and to keep the glass looking newer for longer.
Balcony Systems’ curved patio doors are ideal for newbuild and refurbishment projects, as many customers would testify. For Peter and Helen Johnson, curved glass provided the specialist design solution at their new home, built in the modernist Lutyens style on the site of a former 1960s bungalow overlooking the River Dart at Kingswear in Devon.
Two semi-circular sliding curved patio doors installed one above the other create a unique ‘turret-effect’ on the front elevation, blending contemporary style with traditional design. On the ground floor, there is a pair of sliding doors on a 1.5 metre radius. Directly above on the first floor, an identical pair on the same radius with two sliding panels open onto a cantilevered balcony with curved glass balustrading, also supplied by Balcony Systems.
“Having 180 degree vision certainly makes the most of the superb views,” said Peter. “Standing by the door with the glass curving round you gives the impression you’re outside the house. The visual effect is amazing.
“Originally, we were planning a faceted design involving at least eight posts to create the curves,” he added. “This would have been like putting a forest of oak that would spoil the view. We are delighted with the result, which was also within our budget.”
Adding tremendous space and light, curved patio doors enhance panoramic views to the garden from a swimming pool extension at the Hertfordshire home of Margaret and Andy Demetriou. Curved glass was an essential part of the specification with the couple’s decision firmly sealed after seeing another Balcony curved patio door installation at apartments in Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex.
Installation of the doors – the Balcony Visioglide 100 thermally broken aluminium system – took about one and a half days. Measuring 2.2 metres high and 7.5 metres in curved length, the four doors use curved 28mm low-e toughened double-glazed panels. Three doors slide open and one is fixed. Balcony provided the builder with a curved template to match the brickwork and the doors.
“The curved doors are wonderful; they’re so much prettier than conventional options and the smaller frame profiles leave more glass area to enhance the view. Everyone who sees them is stunned by how beautiful they look,” says Margaret. “Once you’ve seen them, you don’t want flat glass!”
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www.balconette.co.uk
