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Modular balconies from Neaco – all-in-one modular balcony packages

 A luxury development of contemporary apartments in Blaby has joined the long list of residential projects to specify Neacos’s all-in-one modular balcony solutions.

The three-storey complex includes our walk-on balconies which come complete with a full provision of modular balcony components including stanchions, toprails, glass infill panels, and grille flooring. Our modular balconies are manufactured and assembled at the factory stage for a fast installation which minimises time, energy consumption and waste on-site. The development also includes our glass Juliet balconies which offer the same qualities based on a similar modular balcony construction.

Neaco has experienced exceptional growth in demand for our modular balconies in recent years, thanks in no small measure to increasing concerns about fire safety in apartment developments. The rails, stanchions, and open grille decking are manufactured from aluminium, a lightweight yet strong metal that has an A1 Fire Rating – the highest achievable score for non-combustibility. It is especially advantageous for the flooring element – the fireproof quality of our aluminium system makes it a safer alternative to timber, GRP, and composite decking. The flooring also has a surface that is specially engineered for slip resistance and offers fast, efficient drainage which disperses rainwater without the need for drainpipes or soffits.

Neaco’s modular balconies also provide stylishly contemporary looks and maintenance-free durability thanks to non-chip finishes applied to the balustrade. The toughened glass can be supplied clear or tinted with the option of applied graphics. We also supply modular balustrade solutions for a wide variety of architectural elements, including stairs, mezzanine floors, guard rails, partitions, barriers and access walkways. Our balustrade systems are available in aluminium, stainless steel or a combination of the two. Aluminium is offered in a wide range of solid colour and metallic finishes as well as a wood-effect finish.

Neaco’s grille systems are extremely versatile and offer a wide range of other architectural applications, including roof walkways, solar shading, screening, cladding and staging. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee.

 

 

How manufacturers can improve D&B

Design & Build (D&B) procurement has certainly had its critics of late. Plenty of negative media coverage has highlighted its detrimental effect on quality. The systemic problems have become widely and wearingly familiar: hazy strategy, poor budget planning and reduced margins leading to cut corners – all exacerbated by a lack of oversight and a disjointed supply chain.

It has been suggested that a lack of clarity and detail in RIBA Stage 0 (‘Strategic Definition’) and Stage 1 (‘Preparation and Brief’) is a common cause of quality issues. Before any design work can commence, there should be an onus on the client to clearly set out project objectives, including profit margins, based on a fully-formed business plan. Proceeding without this information makes it far more likely that the project will stumble.

Lacking proper consideration, the brief and cost plan can become irreconcilable, requiring a wasteful and time-consuming redesign. During these initial stages there is little attention to risk as D&B encourages clients to kick the can down the road in the expectation that the contractor will take on the burden. This in turn encourages the contractor to strip out quality, much to the displeasure of the architect. In circumstances like this, fault can also lie with the architect for over-specifying or leaving too much leeway in its application.

As a result, a project is often shaped by reactive value engineering which rarely satisfies all parties. It is better to invest the time to establish the client’s definition of value from the beginning – framed in terms of needs, wants, cost and timescale – and use this to apply an iterative approach which informs decisions throughout the project timeline.

From a manufacturer’s perspective, there is a feeling that building product suppliers could play more of a role. Many have decades of experience in developing specifications for a huge variety of built environments and offer a vast bank of specialist knowledge which, if utilised at an early stage, can provide better understanding of quality and value indicators, helping to ensure that the right design decisions are made first-time.

It can make a big difference, for example, in balustrade and balcony specification. This relatively complex classification is open to a wide variation in quality and design permutations. It involves a balance between functionality, aesthetics and cost which is often ill-defined: their respective levels of priority are rarely made clear. Balustrade is frequently over-specified by designers in the mistaken belief that the client desires a ‘feature’ stair. It then transpires that the client’s true priorities were lost in translation during concept development. Manufacturers can avert this outcome with a cost-benefit overview which crystallises the client’s thoughts, clarifies expectations for the architect and ensures that all parties are eyeing the same destination.

Architects can’t be expected to know every nuance of every building element and it helps to draw on the technical expertise of manufacturers. We have encountered many occasions when an architect has designed balustrade and opted for vertical rail infills with the assumption that they’re an economical choice. In actual fact, vertical rails are comparatively expensive in their use of materials. Many infill alternatives provide the same performance at significantly lower cost, including glass, but this kind of insight is often encountered too late in the piece.

Regulatory guidance can be equally useful. Industry practice in residential construction is increasingly shaped by emerging stipulations introduced by housebuilding warranty providers. They are not yet enshrined in Building Regulations, but are every bit as vital to gain the approval of influential stakeholders. Manufacturers are often aware of these critical changes long before architects. If manufacturers are consulted when the key decisions are made, they can impart this knowledge to save a great deal of time, cost and hassle further down the line.

D&B has, by and large, made site supervision a thing of the past and the skillset associated with that role has all but disappeared from the project dynamic.  In the absence of a site architect or clerk of works, contractors and subcontractors are self-certifying quality and the other stakeholders are effectively taking a leap of faith in their standards. This is where manufacturers can fill the vacuum with factory-tested quality control, well-practiced installation teams and years of supply chain experience. The incentive to do so is obvious: a successful outcome makes repeat business more likely. If an architect sees a manufacture as a reliable resource for quality management as well as for products, then that manufacturer stands an excellent chance of becoming the go-to company for future projects.

Supplying specifications for countless projects brings a wealth of experience of when (and how) things go to plan, honing the ability to repeat that success in future, but even the best manufacturers will have experience of occasions when things don’t work out as smoothly as hoped. The missteps often tell you more than the successes do. Any forward-thinking manufacturer will have a project review procedure in place, including stakeholder feedback, to learn from any hiccups – no matter which party is culpable. That knowledge can be brought to bear to drive standards for future projects.

D&B too often results in the client paying a premium to disregard risk and then accepting a lower quality product. The relationship between brief and budget is simply not standing the test of the project timeline. This year RIBA’s Client Liaison Group will publish a toolkit to help clients and designers better understand risk, but trusted manufacturers can also offer expert advice which works in everyone’s interests. Until a better alternative to D&B procurement emerges, the relationship between designer and manufacturer is more important than ever.

 

Fireproof decking attracts more demand

A development of luxury apartments in Leeds is the latest residential project to specify Neaco’s Neatdek fireproof decking, which is fast becoming the external flooring of choice for architects, housebuilders and contractors seeking to maximize safety in all areas of design.

Various balconies and terraces on the upper floors feature our decking grilles which are manufactured from aluminium, a non-combustible metal which has a Class 0 Fire rating (the highest possible) with reference to the spread of flame.  These attributes  represent a clear advantage over timber, composite decking and GRP flooring, but aluminium also peforms better against other metals. For example, the thermal conductivity of aluminium is around four times that of steel and its specific heat twice that of steel. This means that heat is conducted away faster and a greater heat input is necessary to bring the same mass of aluminium to a given temperature in comparison to steel. Where an aluminium structure is exposed to the heat of a fire, the high thermal conductivity enables the heat to be rapidly conducted away from the exposed area and help to reduce hot spots.

fireproof decking

Neaco’s National Sales Manager, Peter Melia, said:

“In the post-Grenfell climate, using fireproof materials where possible is a high priority for specifiers and fireproof decking is undoubtedly an area of design in which the choice of materials can make a big difference to safety. We have been talking to many architects regarding the use of our Neatdek aluminium systems on a wide variety of new build schemes and this new apartment development in Leeds, which also features our aluminium balustrade and glass Juliet balconies, is a typical example. We have also met widespread demand from refurbishment and renovation projects which require the replacement of timber decking with fireproof decking.

Using timber joists on balconies is now widely prohibited by housebuilding warranty providers. Steel is the preferred substitute but it’s expensive, so simple cost savings can be made by reducing the amount of required steelwork support. This can be achieved with the use of decking that is lightweight yet high in load-bearing capacity.  The structural efficiency of our aluminium decking provides this as joists are only required at 2000m centres compared to around 450mm for most composite decking.”

Neatdek decking also offers excellent slip resistance with a specially engineered surface. The T-bar profile of the grille provides a generous foot contact area yet drains efficiently without the need for drainpipes or soffits. We also supply the system with inserts between the grille bars. Our innovative Neatdek 188  system is an alternative profile with concealed drainage which enables a 100% foot contact area.

 

 

Architects do their homework and choose Neaco for schools

The maintenance-free finish of Neaco’s powder coated aluminium balustrade has made it a long-standing favourite in the education sector, with countless specifications throughout the UK, and the latest example is a £14 million state of the art building at Elthorne Park High School in Ealing.

Designed by Re-format and built by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Ealing Borough Council, the new building includes a new multi-purpose performance and activity space, extended library facilities, additional Sixth Form teaching and study space. The three storey teaching block now houses the English, Mathematics, Business and Computing departments. Neaco’s balustrade has been specified with a metallic powder coated finish to handrails and stanchions with glass infill panels for a stylish contemporary appearance.

In order to achieve a very challenging programme, Re-format’s design team made full use of the latest BIM software and off-site manufacturing. As part of the design process, Neaco’s balustrade drawings were fully integrated into a three dimensional CAD model which incorporated the mechanical and electrical services and the structural system.

Fred Gardiner, Architectural Consultant at Re-Format, said: “Neaco are a very professional bunch. They took on this project for us, provided all the information we needed to specify and design the balustrades throughout, produced installation drawings to our requirements based on their own site survey and carried them through to a trouble-free conclusion on site. I don’t think they could have been more helpful or pleasant to deal with. Their system is very clean, neat and robust. We are well pleased with the result.”

Neaco’s Managing Director, Alan Green, said: “Our balustrade range is very popular in the education sector. The non-chip powder coated finish makes it ideal for high-traffic environments such as schools.   Our systems have been developed for adaptable design and fast installation with minimum disruption to activities surrounding the site. In that respect, the product is ideal for projects like Elthorne Park High School.”

Neaco’s Spectrum balustrade systems are based on a versatile modular construction which can meet virtually any design requirement or built environment. Systems are available with handrails and stanchions in stainless steel or aluminium in a wide range of power coated finishes, including wood-effect. The range also includes a mill finished aluminium system for industrial environments. Neaco also manufactures a wide range of bathroom mobility aids – including grab rails and easy access shower systems – and a range of metal grilles which are suitable for various applications, including decking, solar shading, ventilation grilles, mezzanine floors, staging and roof walkways.

Founded in 1998, Elthorne Park High School is a highly popular and successful 11-18 mixed school with around 1100 students and a Sixth Form of 200 students. The school’s performance has been consistently in the top 20% of schools nationally. 

 

 

Award-winning project is a true reflection of Neaco quality

If association with award-winning projects is a true reflection of Neaco’s product quality, then our ever-growing list of examples provides an impressive testimony. The latest case is an exceptional development of luxury homes in Chesterton, near Cambridge, by HC Moss (Builders) Ltd.

This recently completed scheme, called ‘Reflections’ in recognition of its picturesque waterside frontage, won Best Small Development in the 2017 Cambridge News Property Awards which took place last month. Neaco supplied our Clearline structural glass balustrade to the decking and first floor terraces, maximising the benefits of a beautiful outlook which takes in the adjoining River Cam and extends across Stourbridge Common.

Designed with timber cladding to create a classic boat house aesthetic, the homes at Reflections offered high-end luxury and attracted healthy demand: they were priced in the region of £1.5m and all six properties have now been sold. The development was nominated by the public in the 2017 Cambridge News Property Awards, which celebrate outstanding performers and achievements in the region’s property market over the course of the year.

 

Paul Ursell, Managing Director of HC Moss (Builders) Ltd, commented on the benefits of Neaco’s structural glass:

“We incorporated frameless bi-fold doors to open out onto the rear of each property. We needed to match this with frameless glass balustrade affording a seamless outlook over the river, so Neaco’s system was ideal in this respect. Every detail needed to be very high-end so we specified a stainless steel top rail to cap the structural glass.”

Neaco’s products are featured at a number of other award-winning projects which were completed in 2017, including decking on the latest phase of the acclaimed Seaham North Dock regeneration in County Durham and external walkways at the Materials Innovations Factory, a science research facility built as part of a unique public/private partnership between the University of Liverpool and Unilever. We have also supplied specifications to numerous other award winners over the years, including pedestrian and cycle way decking at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a landmark development which scooped the 2002 Stirling Prize.

Neaco’s diverse product range also includes handrails, balustrade, balconies, adaptive bathing facilities and aluminium open grilles for flooring, screening, cladding and shading applications. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee.

 

 

 

Extra balcony space adds value and appeal to apartments

The outdoor space of a balcony can add significant appeal to an apartment property and the latest project to specify Neaco’s products has been particularly generous in this respect.

The development of one and two bedroom luxury apartments in Darlington features Neaco’s walk-on balconies supplied to an extended width to provident residents with extra room to soak up the sun in the warmer months of the year. Each balcony features glass infill panels which combine superbly with sizable French doors flanked by full-height windows to make excellent use of natural light.

Balcony stanchions and rails have been specified in a grey powder coated finish which provides low thermal conductivity to prevent handrails from becoming extremely cold to the touch in winter conditions. In contrast to painted finishes, which eventually start flaking, the powder coating is extremely hard-wearing and retains its aesthetic quality to provide a maintenance-free solution. The balconies also feature Neaco’s Neatdek aluminium open grille flooring with a T-bar profile which provides a slip-resistant surface and fast drainage. The system is renowned for offering a generous foot contact area whilst dispersing rainwater efficiently without the need for drainpipes or soffits. This functional attribute has made Neatdek an exceptionally popular specification for apartment developments throughout the UK.

Neaco supplied bespoke balcony solutions for the Darlington apartments, but we are also able to provide standard modular balcony options with all components manufactured and assembled to minimise time spent on site. Our range also includes a variety of standard Juliet balcony designs providing stylish contemporary looks and zero maintenance.

Neatdek is one a range of aluminium grille profiles which Neaco manufacture. Renowned for their versatility, the systems are ideal for a wide variety of applications, including roof access walkways, brise soleils, bridge paths, garden decking and cladding. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee.