With more of us spending a lot of our time at home and investing in home improvements rather than holidays abroad since the start of the pandemic, making the most of our outdoor spaces has become something of a must.
Glass is the material of the moment in terms of the erection of balustrades and balconies in these outside spaces, affording consumers uninterrupted countryside and coastal views and enabling them to really make the most of their gardens.
This was certainly the case for the owners of a property located in Feniscowles, Blackburn who undertook a garden renovation with the help of North West based installer Windoways who used CRL Spig-Lite Pro to create the dream outdoor space.
The garden itself extends over two levels, with a seating area on the lower level and a hot tub above. The family wanted to create a windbreak around both levels, in keeping with the modern look and feel of the existing space. The most important aspect, other than aesthetics, was to provide a shield from strong breezes that regularly blow across the adjacent fields and river. Ideally, the solution would also enable rainwater to drain away towards the river, rather than collecting in either area.
Glass was the natural choice for the homeowners, who felt that an excess of metalwork or any other solid shield would inhibit the amazing views.
In a graphite finish in keeping with the modern look of the project overall, CRL Spig-Lite Pro creates a minimal and sleek impression. The fully adjustable glass balustrade system has a unique clamping design that removes the need to hold the glass with locking pins. The elongated holes allow for easy adjustment of the glass panels to ensure the top edge of the glass is equal even without a handrail.
Designed for use with 12mm toughened monolithic to 21.52mm toughened laminated glass and tested to BSi standard 6180:2011, the system not only offers ease of installation but gave the installer and homeowner peace of mind that the relevant safety regulations were being met.
The challenge around drainage in the multiple level garden was also solved with Spig-Lite Pro, as the system features individual spigots that raise the glass to 32mm above floor level, creating a natural drainage solution that ensures no water can get trapped inside the balcony area.
Installation of the spigots and the glass was complete within just a few hours, with alignment made simple due to the adjustability of the system and a stable, solid construction being achieved.
The finished look is just as the homeowners envisaged, enabling them to enjoy their garden and the wonderful countryside views all year round.