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blog http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/rss The Edge Balustrade future proofing style and safety http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/the-edge-balustrade-future-proofing-style-and-safety/ <img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600445-Wellington-deck-with-Edge-balustrade.jpg" width="600" height="445" alt="" title=""/>One of our most popular modern balustrade systems. For over eight years the Juralco Edge balustrade system has been proving safe and reliable balustrades can be versatile and stylish. The system can be used on decks, stairways, balconies, handrails or as pool fencing. There is a style to suite any architectural design; from classic through to contemporary.
 The Edge Balustrade is elegant in its design and a large part of its popularity comes from its ability to be adapted to the wants and needs of the client. 
 Edge balustrades come with multiple options; choose from five different hand rails, with either split balusters, full height balusters, or options that include glass as well; with full height, split rail glass or semi-frameless. The Edge balustrade is truly versatile as it can be adapted to be a glass balustrade or a aluminium balustrade with numerous infills to choose from.
 The Edge balustrade can also be used with waterproof or floating decks. We have a specially designed fixing bracket for installing Edge balustrades on floating or waterproof decks.
<img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage504600-Edge-balustrade-semi-frameless-with-slim-interlinking-rail-lr_2.jpg" width="504" height="600" alt="" title=""/> Like all of our systems that have aluminium componenets, they can be powdercoated to any colour you wish, the balustrade will become a seamless part of your home or building design.
 Choose between Dulux® Duratec (20 year warranty) or Duralloy (10 year warranty) powdercoating and a massive range of colours that can be matched to the colour of your home, finishings, or any other colour to suit the style you want.
 Whether the Edge balustrade is set up as a glass balustrade or an aluminium balustrade, the system is designed to be ahead of industry standards, New Zealand building code regulations and be a beautiful part of your modern architecture for many years to come. Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:15:31 +1100 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/the-edge-balustrade-future-proofing-style-and-safety/ Juralco Balustrades' Evolution - Keeping Up With NZ Regulations http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/Juralco-Balustrades-Evolution-Keeping-Up-With-NZ-Regulations/ <h1><img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage800463-Juralco-Glass-Balustrade-Baluster-Stairway-Handrails.jpg" width="800" height="463" alt="" title=""/>BALUSTRADE UPDATES - KEEPING UP WITH NZ BUILDING REGULATION CHANGES</h1>
Deck barriers have evolved beyond the timber handrails of old, with increasing performance requirements in the NZ Buidling Code there is a move to the more dependable, lower maintenance materials as aluminium, stainless steel and glass. These materials also provide versatility around style with an unlimited colour palette, along with innovation in glass such as sandblasting, tinting or screen printed that can be incorporated into the design. 
<a title="Viking Aluminium post and rail balustrades" href="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/[sitetree_link id=51]#Viking baluster balustrade" target="_blank">Juralco’s Viking aluminium post system </a>was introduced in the early 2000’s, leading the way in the balustrade evolution and continuing to exceed people’s expectations and requirements. Originally introduced with just a baluster rail infill, it was quickly joined by toughened glass panel options which didn’t take long to become a customer favourite.
<img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage800600-Juralco-Viking-Glass-aluminium-stair-balustrade-handrail.jpg" alt="Juralco Viking Glass and Aluminium Stair and Deck Balustrade" title="Designed for compliance beyond the NZ building regulations" width="800" height="600"/>
For this Viking balustrade installation the client embraced a range of materials for different areas and ultimately achieved a stunning looking barrier, that is practical and good looking.
Glass balustrade was fitted on the top deck, with clever use of frosted glass on the areas that the customer felt they were most exposed to prying eyes. The panel at the end of the deck return nearest the main door uses a clear glass panel so the lakeside view is kept clear. Being a holiday home the main stairs were embraced as a feature and colour added by the baluster railing finish. Wooden balusters were never an option with this holiday home, because of the higher maintenance demands including regular painting and touch-ups.
Of course Viking has had additional enhancements over these years with the introduction of <a title="How our balustrades can be used on a waterproof deck" href="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/[sitetree_link id=64]#Balustrades on waterproof decks" target="_blank">Waterproof and Floating Deck Fixings</a>, special connectors for direct fixing onto concrete posts and a <a title="Balustrade handrails" href="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/[sitetree_link id=93]#Handrails for balustrades" target="_blank">Handrails for balustrades</a> to cover even more situations. This is alongside price decreases for the toughened glass as it the demand for glass increases, which has naturally made it a more viable option for customers, to the point where it is virtually the same cost per sq m2 as a baluster infill finish. As always, the entire Viking system continues to be engineered and tested to fulfil (and often exceed) NZ building code requirements. 
Being fabricated from aluminium means it can be easily powder coated in customers preferred colour of choice, usually to match the homes joinery. Aluminium meets the durability requirements of the NZ Building Code and additionally the powder coated finish is done in our NZ factory, using Dulux products with a minimum 10 year surface coating warranty.
Viking balustrade continues to be a well-loved handrail and balustrade option, keeping up the building regualtions and modern enhancements, whilst still being for a cost effective and good looking barrier for decks and balconies.
<img class="right" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage1000331-Decking-Glass-Stair-Balustrade-NZ-Building-Code-Compliant_2.jpg" width="1000" height="331" alt="" title=""/> Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:36:00 +1100 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/Juralco-Balustrades-Evolution-Keeping-Up-With-NZ-Regulations/ Balustrade Top Rail (Handrail) Solutions http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrade-top-rail-handrail-solutions/ <h1>BALUSTRADE TOP RAILS</h1>
Recent changes in glass balustrade regulations have been challenging for everyone involved in balustrading, particularly with having to incorporate top rails into their design. Juralco balustrades have a suite of semi and fully frameless balustrades impacted by this change, so developing this system of compliant top rails has been a high priority to take away any stress over these changes.
Being conscious of the visual impact that top rails will have on glass balustrades, the designers focused on keeping the rails as slim as possible, with the sizes of the final two top rail styles reflecting this:
Rectangular Rail - 30mm high
Round Rail - 41mm high
<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600235-Juralco-balustrade-interlinking-top-rails-are-slim-for-minimal-visual-impact_3.gif" alt="Interlinking Top Rail Types For Juralco Balustrade Systemes" width="600" height="235" title=""/>
<h3>FITTING TOP RAILS</h3>
Top rails are fitted directly onto the glass panels and finished in a powder coat colour to match the homes joinery or balustrade fixings, which adds to creating the utmost minimalist finish as possible. Gaskets to suit installation on the 12mm &amp; 15mm toughened glass panels complement the top rails, with friction and sealant combined to lock it into place. Along with a range of end plates which allow for easy attachment of rail ends to structures such as walls, or a balustrade post if a suitable structure is unavailable.
<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600249-End-Plate-brackets-and-examples.gif" alt="Interlinking Top Rail End Plates &amp; Brackets For Juralco Balustrade Systems" width="600" height="249" title=""/>
<h3>TOP RAIL CONNECTORS</h3>
Specially designed top rail connectors dramatically reduce the time needed for jointing rails, as well as reducing the error rate and improving the overall finished look. They are also more forgiving to the inevitable timber movement, with easy adjustment of top rails to fit snuggly against the connector edges. 
<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage800184-Juralco-Balustrade-Connectors-fixed-and-swivel-make-joins-in-Interlinking-Rails-Easy.gif" alt="Interlinking Top Rail End Plates &amp; Brackets For Juralco Balustrade Systems" width="800" height="184" title=""/>
Juralco’s interlinking rails are strong (meeting the changes in Acceptable Solution B1/AS1) and can also be used in conjunction with other compliant balustrade systems. 
For more information contact Juralco at <a href="mailto:specify@juralco.co.nz">specify@juralco.co.nz</a> or 09 478 8018.
<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/Powder-coated-in-colours-to-match-the-homes-joinery-Juralco-balustrade-Interlinking-top-rail-is-stylish-and-slim.gif" alt="Interlinking Top Rail is stylish and can be powder coated in a colour to match t" width="1000" height="500" title=""/> Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:36:00 +1100 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrade-top-rail-handrail-solutions/ Choosing Balustrades & Handrails For Stairs http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/choosing-balustrades-and-handrails-for-stairs/ <h3>How to choose a stylish stairway balustrade &amp; handrail</h3>
With stairs being such a large part of a home, they really do have a large influence on setting or continuing the style of the home, so the choice of a stairway handrail and balustrade is a great way to enhance and reinforce the style that you really want for your home. 
Of course safety is always the most important consideration for any balustrade and handrail for stairs. Most importantly they need to be – strong and stable enough to stop falls, or support people who lean on them or grab them for stability and secondly, they need to add style to what is essentially a very functional part of your home. 
<h5><img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage1000838-Interlinking-top-rail-and-other-handrails-on-some-NZ-home-stairwell-installations_2.png" width="1000" height="838" alt="" title=""/>What are NZ Building Code Regulations for stairs?</h5>
NZ building code regulations for stairs relate to the height, depth and pitch of stairs, as well as the compulsory handrails and balustrades (safety barriers). Heights:
<ul><li>Balustrades for stairs must be a minimum of 900mm high, which is different from the minimum height of 1000mm for everywhere else in the house, including the stair landings*. </li>
<li>Handrails must run continuously along one side of all stairways and at a minimum height of 900mmm from the stair pitch, up to 1000mm high, in residential housing.</li>
</ul>Whilst this is just a summary of the regulations, any experienced balustrade installer should be knowledgeable in these regulations and skilled in suggesting and fitting handrails or balustrades, which are not only fully compliant but also in a style that you love. 
<h5>So how do you go about choosing a safe and attractive balustrade and handrail? </h5>
Whilst choosing a balustrade or handrail style could easily overwhelm you, there is one simple trick that can help you narrow down your choices. To help identify your homes style, step back and pick out the features or theme that you gravitate towards when you make design decisions, the style you favour will be really clear. Looking at the lampshades, furniture or paint colours for example will clearly show whether you favour a minimalist or industrial finish, or perhaps a softer country style, or classic and traditional look. Based on this you can quickly work out which balustrade or handrail style is not suitable, for example if you have a classic or traditional home then clearly a minimalist finish wouldn’t work. Likewise, if the style is more of a modern or restrained design, a traditional baluster balustrade or the larger round handrail would look out of place, but would be suitable for a classic home. Pick a style feature and then pick a balustrade that replicates this style, focusing on the type of balustrade fixing and the finished colour. 
<h5>What kind of materials should I choose?</h5>
Modern hardwearing materials are readily available and have expanded the options beyond the limited choice of bygone eras. Budget plays an important part in the choice of materials, but for longevity and good value, finishes such as powder coated aluminium handrails and toughened safety glass infills are highly recommended. Although initially there could be a larger upfront cost, in the long run they prove to be really good value, not only lasting longer and wearing better, but of course these modern materials don’t need regular painting or touch ups and are virtually maintenance.
Glass balustrades are a modern solution for stair balustrades and are particularly popular for their clear and clean finish which opens up the stairwell with a flood of natural light. Glass panels are fixed in place with balustrade fittings that you have chosen to resonate with your style. For a frameless glass balustrade finish you can choose from minimalist round discs, rectangular fixings, strut posts or a fully enclosed channel style. Or choose from different options for a more traditional aluminium balustrade post and glass or baluster look, such as a semi-frameless or framed glass finish, or a particular handrail shape and style which can be replicated in other areas of the house for consistent styling.<img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage350412-Interlinking-top-rail-as-a-top-rail-or-a-handrail_3.jpg" width="350" height="412" alt="" title=""/>
Keeping in mind that ‘safety is always the most important consideration’ for any balustrade or handrail, recent changes in regulations mean all frameless glass balustrades must now include a top rail or handrail for increased safety**. However, knowing how popular an uninterrupted frameless glass finish is, a low profile, slim top rail was developed and introduced for the least visual impact on the finished look. Available in a square or round profile, the top rail can also be used for handrail for a complete match. Additionally with a dark coloured finish, the top rails have been proven to blend in even more. Specialised connectors and accessories, which have been developed as part of this top rail range, also add to the overall polished finish. 
Standard handrails are another reliable option and come in a variety of shapes, style and sizes, complementing balustrades they are fitted on. Here you can see some of the beautiful balustrade and handrail combinations installed in NZ homes.
*Handrail heights on stairs and landings
 <a href="https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/f-safety-of-users/f4-safety-from-falling/barriers-and-handrails/">https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/f-safety-of-users/f4-safety-from-falling/barriers-and-handrails/</a>
**There are options for glass balustrades not requiring a top rail, please talk to your balustrade installer about them.
<img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage600480-Examples-of-Stairway-balustrades-and-handrails-fitted-by-HomePlus-Frameless-and-Semi-frameless-glass-balustrades.jpg" width="600" height="480" alt="" title=""/> Mon, 19 Nov 2018 11:36:00 +1100 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/choosing-balustrades-and-handrails-for-stairs/ Balustrades for High-Density Residential Housing http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrades-for-high-density-residential-housing/ <h1>Balustrade Designs for High-Density Residential Housing</h1>
High-density residential building is becoming the norm in NZ cities due to large population increases and housing shortages. With this change in residential housing, designs must take into account the residents’ lifestyle requirements within much a smaller footprint. 
This development features well thought out plans for residents, including an open lawn area that homes face onto, forming a “town square” for recreational use. Designers have also included decks on two levels of the multilevel homes, either on the front or back of the home to increase the sense of space. 
An attractive, consistent finish for the whole development was accomplished with the clever use of the <a href="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/[sitetree_link id=9]" target="_blank">Edge balustrade</a> system for a range of uses - baluster and glass balustrades/handrails, louvre privacy screens and an entranceway canopy. Finished styles of the Edge balustrade were carefully planned across the whole site, with a mixture of aluminium baluster and toughened glass infills used for the split rail balustrading on both the decks and front entranceway stairs.
Privacy screens are vital for outdoor spaces in high-density housing and the Edge balustrade system was able to accommodate this as well. Screens are fitted with modern 120mm wide vertical louvres, which let the light in but form a solid looking wall from inside the deck. Strategically placed on those decks adjacent to neighbouring decks, screens were finished in a powder coat colour matching the deck balustrade for a consistent look.
Finishes for the exterior detailing were also carefully planned using a palette of modern powder coat colours - Titania, Electric Cow, Appliance White and Mid Grey for a cohesive and really interesting overall look. 
For more details you can contact Juralco on 09 478 8018 or <a href="mailto:specify@juralco.co.nz">specify@juralco.co.nz</a> to discuss.
<img class="left" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/Balustrades-on-high-density-residential-housing-and-screens.jpg" width="1000" height="500" alt="" title=""/> Tue, 09 May 2017 10:00:00 +1000 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrades-for-high-density-residential-housing/ Hiding ugly exposed edges on floating decks http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/hiding-ugly-exposed-edges-on-floating-decks/ <h1>Balustrade solutions to hide ugly edges on floating decks.</h1>
Floating, waterproof decks are a popular modern product for new builds or renovations and their introduction continues to challenge designers and product suppliers for ways to accommodate them in the build. As often happens with new products unexpected challenges can arise and for floating decks the exposure of deck edge details through glass balustrade infills. was one such unforeseen design dilemma.
<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-Floating-deck-details-seen-clearly-through-the-frameless-glass-balustrade_2.jpg" width="600" height="338" alt="" title=""/>
<h4>SOLUTION 1 – Aluminium Slats<img class="right" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-Edge-balustrade-fitted-with-glass-and-custom-slat-cover.jpg" width="600" height="338" alt="" title=""/></h4>
On a recent installation, one of Juralco's most experienced balustrade installer worked with the project architect to design a special facade to hide the deck details. Using a 123mm x 17mm aluminium slat, they custom made the hidden detailing; fitting them into the balustrade post before installing the glass infill, for a completely integrated finish. Powder coated in the same colour as the balustrade fixtures, the slats blended in and continued the clean lines of the floating deck.
 
<h4>SOLUTION 2 – Frosted Glass<img class="center" src="http://juralcobalustrades.nz/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-Infinity-balustrade-with-frosted-glass-strip.jpg" width="600" height="338" alt="" title=""/></h4>
This recent, major home renovation design, included a floating deck with edges that could be seen exposed through the glass balustrade. Once again, the balustrade installer drew on their experience of this issue and requested the addition of a 200mm frosted strip at the glass panel bottom edge, for the ultimate sleek and minimalist finish. For architectural designer Mark Brown (Solutions Architecture), the balustrade finishing details were an important decision, as he was aware they are the first thing you see approaching the home. He further enhanced the finished design, by specifying an Appliance White powder coat finish to match the homes weatherboards.
 
For further information contact Juralco at <a href="mailto:specify@juralco.co.nz">specify@juralco.co.nz</a> or on 09 478 8018. Mon, 20 Feb 2017 16:00:00 +1100 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/hiding-ugly-exposed-edges-on-floating-decks/ Balustrades Adapted to Regulation Changes http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrades-adapted-to-regulation-changes/ <h1>How have the changes to the building regulations affected the Juralco Balustrade range?</h1>
As many of you will know, changes to the regulations for frameless glass balustrades were accelerated in May and came into effect on June 1 2016. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment oversee these regulations and outlined the changes - “all new frameless glass barriers that comply with B1/AS1, will be required to have an interlinking rail, unless the barrier is laminated safety glass and has features to retain panes of glass in the event of breakage”.
Working with other industry experts, Juralco fast tracked compliant solutions in time for the regulation changes. This included the introduction of low profile interlinking rails for semi frameless glass balustrades and a 30mm interlinking top rail for frameless glass balustrading. If you need guidance on the new regulations and the products that conform then contact Juralco on 09 478 8018 or <a href="mailto:specify@juralco.co.nz">specify@juralco.co.nz</a> to discuss. Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:36:00 +1000 http://juralcobalustrades.nz/blog/balustrades-adapted-to-regulation-changes/