Aluminium balcony flooring – better on every level

If you’ve happened to notice that timber, GRP and composite decking on balconies is an increasingly rare sight on new build and refurbishment projects, you might be wondering why the popularity of these materials has plummeted.

There are a number of good reasons for this, but in a nutshell the driving force behind the trend is twofold. Firstly, they are increasingly out of step with the changing demands of modern building standards. Secondly, the rise of aluminium as a decking specification has provided architects and developers with a much better alternative.

One of aluminium’s most compelling advantages is its fire resistance, which is far superior to timber GRP, composite decking. Housebuilding warranty providers are increasingly requesting balcony design modifications to meet more stringent fire safety requirements. Architects and developers have been pre-empting these concerns by using our Neatdek aluminium decking systems, resulting in a remarkable surge in demand as a balcony specification. With timber joists no longer allowed and metal joists a necessity, our lightweight Neatdek grilles have an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio and can accommodate spans between joists of up to 2m. In comparison, wood and composite decking generally needs to be accommodated at 400mm centres.

Another major advantage of our Neatdek decking is its extreme durability – the aluminium has a design life of 60-100 years, matching the regulatory requirements for balcony structures, and it’s corrosion resistant, so unlike other metals it will stay rust-free.  These maintenance-free qualities give it a clear advantage over wooden decking which gets damaged by weathering and temperature fluctuations.

Neaco’s decking offers a choice of T-bar profiles which have a contact area of between 74% and 100% yet disperse water efficiently. In balcony applications, this avoids the need for drainpipes and soffits, saving on cost whilst enabling a more minimalist aesthetic. We adapted Neatdek’s original design to develop Neatdek 188, an innovative application with concealed drainage gaps below the surface. The profile completely restricts the view from above and below, providing privacy for balcony occupants. The absence of gaps on the surface also makes it suitable to walk in any type of footwear, including stiletto heels. In fact, safe footing is a major advantage shared by our all of our aluminium decking systems with special anti-slip surfaces engineered into each design. In contrast, GRP, composite and timber equivalents become slippery underfoot.

All things considered, it’s easy to see why timber, GRP and composite decking are in decline: Neaco’s aluminium systems are better on every level. To find out more please visit our Contact page to enquire or call us on 01653 695 721.

Slim chance of losing four stone? Not for Christine!

Neaco would like to congratulate our Sales Order Clerk, Christine Nicholson, on an incredibly impressive achievement in reaching a personal weight loss target of almost four stone – all within just seven months!

In the first week after Christmas 2016, Christine joined her local Slimming World group in Pickering with a view to shedding three stone and eleven pounds. Most people would have a slim chance of reaching that target by July, but Christine is known for bringing dedication and discipline to her role at Neaco and she has certainly applied those qualities to her weight loss regime.   Her scales now read nine stone and seven pounds, which represents a very healthy body mass index for someone of her height. Slimming World have awarded Christine a Certificate of Success in recognition of her achievement. She is pictured holding the certificate  and the picture to the left shows Christine just before Christmas 2016.

Well done, Christine – Neaco’s operation just considerably leaner!

neaco’s access walkways achieve global reach with airport demand

neaco have achieved a global market reach with a range of airport roof access walkways and associated handrails which have been specified in the redevelopment of some of the world’s leading airports.

neaco’s modular walkway grilles and handrail systems provide safe, secure and long-term access solutions for general access, cleaning and maintenance of airport buildings. Suitable for a huge variety of installation requirements and ideal for roof access specifications, the products are featured in major expansion programmes at airports such as London Heathrow T2 and T5, Dublin T2,  Salalah International Airport in Oman and the world’s largest, single standing seam roofing project at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

neaco’s national sales manager, Peter Melia, said: “Neaco have enjoyed a strong market presence in the airport sector for many years. Our aluminium modular grilles and handrails started attracting specifications for airport developments in the early nineties and demand has steadily grown ever since.”

“We have been able to develop different design solutions for different requirements – from our original high-performance Techdek walkway system to our Paldek 2 walkway system which provides the ultimate in fast installation whilst complementing Techdek’s appearance in dual specifications.”

neaco’s modular walkway grilles combine lightweight construction for ease of handling with a patented swage-locked design which provides high structural efficiency and an impressive load-bearing capacity. Providing a free-draining grille surface with a serrated surface for non-slip qualities, they are extremely durable and eco-friendly with 100 per cent recyclability and low-energy assembly requiring no welding or hot works.

Neaco access walkways can suit most standing seam roofs with a unique fixing system which allows the roof access walkway to be installed without penetrating the roof surface. When required the modular grilles can also be installed with handrails to one side or both sides for extra safety.

Glass balconies add to seaside appeal

Another development of luxury apartments – this time on the scenic coast of Yorkshire – has specified Neaco’s range of glass balcony designs, balustrade and metal grating.

The complex of 32 properties includes balustrade installed to a terrace to the front of the building, our standard Juliet glass balcony designs throughout and a number of our bespoke walk-on glass balcony designs with our aluminium grating systems used as flooring. The balconies and balustrade include aluminium stanchions and rails specified in a black powder coated finish which complements the tinted glass panels.

Neaco’s National Sales Manager, Peter Melia, said: “This development used our original and most popular Juliet balcony design, with glass secured between a toprail above and subtle circular brackets below. This design eliminates the need for supporting stanchions and provides superbly minimalist aesthetic with a predominance of glass.

Featuring an innovative T-bar grille profile, Neaco’s metal grating systems are designed to provide a large foot contact area – typically between 74% and 100% on balcony applications – whilst enabling efficient drainage of rainwater. The systems are extremely versatile and also ideal for a wide range of alternative uses, including ventilation, cladding, access walkways and solar shading louvres.

Neaco’s aluminium handrails and balustrade are available in a wide range of other powder coated finishes, including various solid and metallic colours and wood-effect. We also manufacture balustrade solutions in stainless steel for a particularly high-class appearance and extremely hard wearing performance with no ongoing maintenance required to maintain its visual quality. Different grades can be supplied to suit different environments – for example, typically Grade 316 for external use and Grade 304 for dry internal use. Other balustrade infill options include rails, tension wire, perforated panels and mesh. We also offer structural glass systems with no supporting uprights for maximum visibility and a minimalist aesthetic.

Balustrade Design Guide – Part 3: Infills

Having covered stanchions and handrails in Parts 1 & 2 of Neaco’s Balustrade Design Guide, Part 3 focuses on  balustrade infills. This element offers the most variety of choice in terms of aesthetics. Each option has its own attributes and suitability for certain environments. Responsibility for compliance to regulations lies with the architect, so it’s important to check that the manufacturer’s products are compliant and ensure that the specification meets all relevant standards.

1. Rails

Rails are popular balustrade infills for many buildings and they offer the benefits of traditional styling, hard-wearing performance and high visual contrast in cases where this is required (extra contrast can be achieved with powder coated colours and finishes). They can be installed horizontally or vertically and the number of rails can vary according to preference. However, buildings likely to be used by children under 5 years of age have a requirement that the balustrade  should not trap the child. To satisfy this requirement it should be impossible to pass a 100mm diameter sphere between the infill rails. We recommend that vertical rails are installed at 100mm centres. It is important to consider ‘climbability’ when applying horizontal rails.

2. Glass panels

Two types of safety glass can be used for balustrade infills: toughened glass and laminated glass. Toughened glass is heat soaked and ‘quenched’ (rapidly cooled) to create a strong outer layer and lock tension inside the core.

Laminated glass comprises two glass panels with a stabilising insert between them to prevent shattering under extreme force. Laminated glass can comprise various combinations: either two float panels, two toughened panels or a combination of both. For the glass to be regarded as safe it must pass an impact test. You can find out more about this here. Make sure your manufacturer conducts recognised glass safety impact tests on it glass balustrade as a matter of policy.

There are a number of ways to secure glass infills:

• Panels held in place by clips attached to stanchions – either offset or in-line with the stanchions
• Panels secured between a channel in the top rail and a channel the floor (not suitable for raked installations)
• Panels held in place by a side fixing to a vertical surface (applies to stair and mezzanine floor installations)

3. Mesh & perforated panels

Mesh infill panels are often chosen for projects which required a more traditional aesthetic. The major benefit of perf mesh is that it is a low-maintenance option that will not require the regular cleaning that glass can be subject to in certain environments. However, the use of mild steel mesh in external environments can cause the coating to bubble and peel. It is better to use aluminium mesh which can be powder coated for a maintenance-free finish in a range of colours to suit visual requirements.

Perforated panels provide a robust solution for high traffic areas. Their durability and compliance with safety requirements make them especially suitable for schools and other environments occupied by children. The size of the perforations cannot be in the 8mm to 25mm diameter range as this poses a finger trap hazard. Aluminium panels can be powder coated a finish to suit visual requirements.

4. Tension wire

With its contemporary minimalist style and cost-effective use of materials, tension wire is an increasingly popular option for balustrade infills. Wires are typically installed horizontally. In buildings likely to be used by children under 5 years, the spacing between the wire is subject to the same regulations as rails (outlined in section 1).  By its very nature, tension wire will not curve, so it is not suitable for curved balustrade applications. It is also worth noting that, in designs where there are many starts and stops (i.e. lots of changes of direction) the cost of the wire specification can increase substantially.

Neaco supplies major hospital balustrade specification

Neaco have supplied a major balustrades specification at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new multi-million pound hospital wing.

The £28 million wing was designed by Bowman Riley as part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s £75 million investment on improving patient care in its hospitals over the next five years. Stairwells, ramps, bridges and void areas feature Neaco’s  Spectrum powder coated aluminium balustrade with a variety of infills appropriate to their location, including vertical rails, midrails, glass and perforated mesh.

Partner contractor BAM Construct built the wing housing two new modern spacious wards to accommodate Paediatric Services which will transform children’s services and future-proof against the known population increase for this age group. The development also includes a new elderly care ward and a state-of-the-art intensive care unit with increased single room provision.

The wards are linked across the front with an atrium entrance, improving access to all wards and departments to the rear of the BRI site. The main entrance at the front of the BRI has undergone a major overhaul with a new reception area which houses a new Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Bereavement Centre. The refurbished entrance  also provides new shops, a coffee bar and a restaurant.

Neaco’s Spectrum range of handrails, balustrade, balconies and structural glass offers a comprehensive choice of modular components with the versatility to suit virtually any design requirement. Available in powder coated aluminium or stainless steel – or a combination of both – Spectrum is characterized by smooth, clean lines offering a high architectural aesthetic which is extremely durable and maintenance-free. Modular assembly is achieved with internal fixtures and provides low-energy, eco-friendly construction requiring no welding or hot works. Aluminium Spectrum is available in a wide variety of solid and metallic finishes whilst stainless steel components are hand finished and satin polished. Spectrum Timberline wood-effect handrails feature a powder coated reproduction of natural oak grain, providing the aesthetic virtues of timber without the environmental, hygiene and maintenance concerns associated with it.