Glass display cabinets are a wonderful way to turn your beautiful belongings into design features without leaving fragile items at risk of damage.

But shoving your chosen objects in a haphazard mess won’t do your belongings – or your glass cabinet – justice. Instead, you need to carefully curate it, ensuring items complement each other and make a cohesive whole that draws attention for the right reasons.

Sound like a complicated ask? Worry not, in this post we’ll give you some easy-to-follow tips so that once you’ve picked the perfect display cabinet for your space, you can make sure the treasures inside look their best too.

Start with a clean clear space

If you’re arranging (or rearranging) your glass display cabinet, it’s the perfect opportunity to carry out a deep clean.

Start by emptying your cabinet. Wipe down the shelves, or base with a soft microfibre cloth, making sure to get into the corners. A damp cloth or spritz of cleaner will help keep dust on the cloth rather than in the air, but doing this first will stop displaced dust from dirtying spaces you’ve already cleaned.

When this is done, clean the glass. Using a specialist glass cleaner can help you minimise splashes and streaks, but still take care not to use too much.

After damp cleaning make sure to buff it dry with a very soft cloth – if possible, leave it to dry naturally as well. Moisture left inside an enclosed glass space is likely to fog or dampen the class and could even damage the items inside so get your cabinet as dry as possible before refilling it.

You don’t want any moisture left inside an enclosed glass space as it may fog the glass, or be unable to evaporate.

You should also clean the items you’re planning to display.

Find a theme for the contents

Try to see what connects the items you keep in your glass cabinet. It could be something as straightforward as their age, material or style.

Examples of ‘themes’ you could use include wood, porcelain, coastal, Wedgewood, coloured glass, brass, Victorian or even just colour.

These groupings can in turn create an overarching aesthetic feel for your display. For example, collecting together items made of wood can help build a rustic feel, while metal items with sharp lines can help create an overall sense of modernism or minimalism.

Once you’ve found these themes, organise the content of your display cabinet in line with them. If you have a range of different aesthetic objects, pick a theme for each shelf. Where possible, making your entire glass cabinet display follow a single theme can create a big impact.

 

You can also use contrast within these groupings to create a focal point.

Embrace odd numbers

Tempting as it might be to stay tied to symmetry, grouping items in odd numbers often looks better (and leaves you with more options on what to display together.)

There is still symmetry in threes, fives and sevens (just graduated) and it looks a lot more cohesive when using items with subtle differences. These differences become features instead of issues.

If you have a lot of identical items, then pairs and even numbers can create impact but odd numbers give you more freedom to shuffle items around.

Mix up size and height

If possible, try to include objects of different sizes in your display. Particularly use varying heights.

Avoid blocking smaller items with taller ones, but build a gradient within the display space. Photo frames, vases, bottles, jugs or crockery can all help add height and make your cabinet look more multi-dimensional.

If all your items are similar in size or height, stagger their placement more (and use odd number groupings) to stop the display feeling flat.

Change up textures

Another way to add more dimension to a glass display cabinet is creating contrast with textures. Pairing something rough, such as unfinished driftwood with something silky smooth like sea glass, will emphasise the tactile nature of your displayed items.

This will, in turn, add interest to the items in your cabinet by engaging with an extra sense (touch). Your mind will factor in a tactile appreciation from seeing it, even without actually experiencing it through touch.

Light it carefully

If you want the contents of your cabinet to really shine, you need to light it correctly. With a glass cabinet, that is easier to do than other cabinets, but it may still need work.

With a fully glass display cabinet, your items will already enjoy the maximum amount of ambient light possible, but is this enough? Even if your case isn’t hemmed into a dark corner, it might benefit from its own light source.

A light fitting directly above can help minimise shadows but isn’t easy to install. A lamp takes minutes to set up, but lighting from only one side will leave your cabinet cluttered with shadows.

Fitting lights inside the cabinet gives you the most control but even then, you need to decide how to fit them. Directional spotlights let you control the angle of the light but can be more fiddly to calibrate while using LED striplights can keep the light cast consistent but aren’t visually appealing in themselves.

Weigh up your options carefully and find the one that works best for you.

Don’t skimp on objects

Fear of creating a cluttered cabinet might make you wary of how many items you include but don’t go too far in the other direction. If you have too few items in your display cabinet, it can leave too much empty space, leaving it feeling bare and the items inside feeling scattered and disjointed.

The perfect display sits somewhere in between. Usually, though, that does involve more objects than you’d imagine.

One of the benefits of glass display cabinets is that they feel less messy and overstuffed than something with a solid back. But the downside of this is how easy it is to leave a glass case feeling empty.

Following our other tips (grouping items, varying heights) will help with this too but it is important not to be too sparing with contents. Make the most of the space you have and the benefits of this type of case by using plenty of objects.

And to ensure an eye-catching display – get a custom-made glass display cabinet….

If you want to make sure your display case is a truly stylish statement, a custom-glass case is always the best option. We can make a bespoke glass cabinet that meets your exact measurements, so you can make sure it fits the space it’s in perfectly. Whether you want to slot it into an awkward nook, or make sure it matches the overall dimensions of your room without looking dominating or dwarfed, we can help. Speak to us today to find out more.

 

4 Creative ways to repurpose old windows

We recently looked at how sustainable glass is as a building material. One of the main conclusions we drew was that the sustainability of any material can be decided by what happens to it, once it reaches the end of its lifespan.

While glass can be recycled, this isn’t always the easiest way to dispose of it. But there are other ways to squeeze extra life from your windows when they’re no longer providing the insulation or performance that you need. 

Here are a few creative suggestions of ways you can reuse your windows to get even more use out of them, rather than relegating them to the recycling plant.

 

Creative ways to reuse or repurpose your windows

Traditional-style windows with beautiful glazing bars can be the hardest windows to say goodbye to. Often expensive, these windows can take on a new rustic charm as they age and actually increase their appeal. With a new lick of paint, or even more deliberate distressing, they can become a beautiful centrepiece in your home. 

A photo frame

Printed photos are becoming something of a dying art, and a sideboard scattered with small photo frames can look like clutter in a minimalist modern home.

A window with glazing bars comes with its own inbuilt dividers to help you house several related photos. Whether you have a selection of captured family memories or a more artistic collection of prints, a window frame can help tie them together as one cohesive wall decoration that frees up your surface space and has its own design identity.

If you’re repurposing a rustic-looking timber frame, then sepia or desaturated photos will carry on the aesthetic, while a more contrast-heavy black and white set fits perfectly with thinner aluminium frames.

Mirror

If the glass in your window is the problem, not the frame, pop it out (then recycle) and replace the panes with mirror panels instead. This works just as well for plain window frames, as it does for ones with decorative mullions, transoms or glazing bars.

It can work with any sized frame too. As large mirrors with sturdy frames can be quite expensive, reusing your window frame as a mirror frame can actually be very cost-effective as well as an attractive design addition.

Best of all, a strategically placed mirror can completely change the look and feel of a room. You can maximise the sense of space, increase the natural light and make your living space a happier place to be. All out of a functional item that is no longer fit for its original purpose.

Headboard

Another wall decoration idea for reusing old windows is to mount them behind your bed as a headboard.

This is great if you have a very large window or a couple of smaller ones that can be used together. Make sure they are securely mounted to the way with heavy-duty hangers, and remove the glass for maximum safety but this can be a beautiful and unusual addition to your bedroom, especially as the wall above a bed is often left plain.

Again, the frame can be matched to the look of your bedroom too. Timber frames can be stripped back and refinished to match the look of your bedroom furniture whether that’s painted or stained. Aluminium frames can also be repainted with a little care, and the clean lines and finish will still add a stylish twist to a more minimalist home.

Build A Greenhouse

If you’re looking for a more functional use for your old windows, using them to build a greenhouse will really make the most of their remaining practical features.

While an old double-glazed window may not still have the insulating power you need to keep your heating bills down and home warm, they will do a far better job than most cheap greenhouses or polytunnels.

The amount of windows you have access to will dictate the size of greenhouse you can achieve, but even if you only have one or two you can use them as a roof for a small growing box that will let sunshine flood in and protect fragile plants from frosts.

Keep your home sustainable by recycling your windows

A well-insulated home is a more sustainable home, and this means having double-glazing units that are performing at their peak, as well as finding a new use for the old ones once they’ve started to fail.

If you’re looking to update your glazing, speak to us today to secure high-quality replacements that will pay for themselves.

In our last post, we answered some of the most commonly asked questions about soundproofing to help you decide if it’s worth doing in your home. If you’ve decided that this is a task worth your time, we thought we’d also share some suggestions on the best ways to go about it.

We’ll cover a couple of simple, cost-effective ways you can insulate your home against sound, as well as the more extreme but effective options.

What easy ways are there to improve the soundproofing of your home?

Reducing the noise pollution in your home doesn’t have to mean disruptive or expensive changes. There are smaller, more manageable steps you can take too. They may not make massive reductions to your noise pollution but they will make some difference.

Indoor plants

This is a small change and, we’ll be honest, won’t make a massive difference on its own. However, bringing a few lush green plants into your living space will perform some sound dampening, absorbing sound waves while also improving the air quality and feel of your home. It’s not going to do a lot, but it’s a nice option that comes with plenty of other benefits.

Window film

Applying a specialist window film can give your window panes a cheap soundproofing boost if you can’t afford to replace the glazing completely. As a cut-price option, it can be better than nothing and can improve the energy efficiency of your windows as well. However, it can be fiddly to fit and the difference it makes might not be big.

Get acoustic curtains

If you’re adding window film to your windows, another sensible step is to add a sound-dampening window dressing. You can buy curtains specifically designed to improve the insulation of your home, both sound and energy, as well as blinds or shutters if you prefer. They can even be hung behind doors.

If your window is a big weakness in your soundproofing, this can be the most straightforward way to protect it. Of course, when the window dressing is open, the benefit will be lost, and you’ll never get as much of an improvement as you would from glazing.

Add more soft furnishings

Curtains aren’t the only soft furnishings that can help deaden the sound in your home. If you have wood, tile or laminate floors, laying down rugs will absorb noise instead of leaving it to reflect off hard floors.

Sofas and upholstered chairs can also help a little with absorbing sound. Wall hangings will make a small difference to the sound coming through walls on their own but you can also use them to hide thicker, more specialised sound insulation panels without worrying about refinishing a wall over it too.

Reseal your window and door frames

Already got double glazing that doesn’t appear to be showing signs of failing but still struggling with a lot of external noise getting through your windows?  The panes themselves aren’t the only way that noise can enter your home – it can come in around the edges too.

Resealing your windows is a lot cheaper and easier than replacing your glazing units so it’s a good place to start if you think your windows are letting in noise. You can even buy acoustic caulk that will absorb more noise than standard caulk to further increase the sound insulation of your windows or doors.

Rearrange the furniture

Rather than cluttering your home with more ‘things’ to dampen sounds, you can make the most of what you have. Place bigger, bulkier items like bookshelves and wardrobes against the walls where sound pollution is a problem, and they will absorb some of the noise.

What are the most effective ways to reduce noise pollution?

If intrusive noise is really affecting your living space, there are more heavy-duty ways to improve the sound insulation of your home. These methods are both more expensive and more work to put in place but this is balanced by making a far bigger impact.

As sound insulation will often improve the heat insulation of your home too, you may even make up some of your expenditure through lowered heating bills – another bonus if you’re ready to fit more significant improvements.

New double glazing

If you’re struggling with a lot of traffic or other external noise getting into your home, it’s time to check your glazing. When the seals in your double-glazed units start to fail, you won’t just start to lose the heat-insulating properties – their soundproofing ability will be compromised. And that’s if you’ve already got double-glazed windows – if you’ve only got single-glazed windows, then their soundproofing will be minimal.

New double-glazed window units can reduce noise pollution by up to 35db. This is a big difference when it comes to disruptive street noise in your home. If your windows are old, tired, and showing signs of condensation inside, it might be time to consider replacing them – the sound and heat insulation new windows will provide will quickly be worth it.

Replace your doors

Doors aren’t quite the risk to the insulation of your home that windows are – mainly because they are usually made using more insulating materials like wood or composite. But if they start to warp their fit in the door frame can be compromised – leaving gaps that cold air and external noise can squeeze through. Sometimes replacing the seals on the door and re-caulking the door frame is enough to make a difference but sometimes the only option is fully replacing your doors.

If you have a UPVC door, upgrading to a composite or wooden door will make a big difference too. Both of those materials are much better at insulating against sound (and heat loss) so you’ll get plenty of benefits from the change.

Soundproof your walls

If you’re already doing major renovations to your home, you can consider adding some kind of soundproofing to the structure of the walls. If you have a new build home, this could mean removing the plasterboard layer of your walls to add acoustic fibreglass or woollen insulation to the interior of your wall. 

Alternatively, you can replace the plasterboard itself with a soundproof plasterboard. Neither of these options is cheap and they are both highly disruptive so should not be undertaken lightly. But they could be worth considering if you’re already doing extensive work on your home.

Add acoustic panels to your walls

If you’re looking for a slightly less disruptive way to improve the sound insulation your walls provide, acoustic panels could be the answer.

These will absorb sound waves to stop the noise getting into your house, but they sit on top of the surface of the wall so you don’t need to worry about pulling your walls apart to install them. These days they are available in a range of colours, to help you turn them into their own design feature rather than just creating a dull but functional wall look.

 

What’s the best way to reduce the noise pollution in your home?

There is no single answer on which sound-reducing method is right for every home. Factors from the type of noise you’re looking to reduce, to your budget, to the scale of space you wish to tackle, will all work together to define which method is best for you.

One thing for certain is that replacing your double glazing has the potential to greatly reduce the sound that gets into your home if your windows are old, badly fitted or single-glazed. If you want to hear more about the benefits that new double-glazing could make to your home, speak to our team today. They’ll be able to explain all the costs, advise on whether it’s worth it and make sure you’ve got all the information you need.

Your home is your sanctuary. Your space away from the demands, stresses and unpleasantness of the world. Keeping it safe, secure and peaceful is important – but it isn’t always easy.

One of the most common intruders that can compromise your home is sound. From noisy neighbours to rushing traffic and even just the bustle of people passing by, keeping your home quiet can be challenging.

If you’re struggling with too much external noise invading your home, there are steps you can take. In this post, we’ll answer some commonly asked questions about soundproofing your home, before following up in our next post with practical steps you can take.

Does soundproofing really work?

Getting this big question out of the way first. For anyone seeking absolute silence, the unfortunate truth is that you can’t completely soundproof an entire house. If you live in a terrace or semi-detached house or in a busy urban area, you will never achieve full monastery-grade silence, however much work you do or money you spend.

However, it is possible to significantly reduce the noise that enters your home. You can take steps to limit the intrusion of external noise and noise from your neighbours. You just need to weigh up the cost versus the benefit and find the most effective ways for your home.

Can you soundproof an entire house?

The amount of noise you want to reduce is not the only thing that will impact how effective your soundproofing efforts are. The scale plays a part too.

Essentially, the bigger an area you want to soundproof, the more complicated things get. Even if you take every possible step in every single room, you’ll still see some noise get in and this will be amplified the more rooms you are trying to cover.

Instead, tackle the most important areas. For example, the areas of your house that get the most noise, or need to be quietest. A bedroom or office that faces onto the street might be a great place to start or a room attached to a separating between you and a particularly noisy neighbour.

If you want to soundproof your whole house, you’ll be looking at high costs. And, in most cases, there will still be some sound getting in – especially during summer when windows are opened etc. It is up to you to decide if it’s worth effort and investment, and what scale your soundproofing attempts should be.

How much does it cost to soundproof a whole house?

If you do decide to try and soundproof your whole house, you’ll be looking at a hefty price tag – at least £30,000 depending on the size of your home. 

The techniques you use and the noise you’re trying to prevent will also have an impact. Neighbour noise can be cheaper to tackle as you’re looking at internal walls instead of external walls, whereas protecting against traffic noise may mean upgrading your window units and your doors which both can come with a high price tag.

How much does it cost to soundproof a room?

It is almost as hard to give a blanket estimate on the cost of soundproofing a room as it is on doing a whole house. The position of the room (whether it faces onto a busy street, for example, or whether you’ve got adjoining walls with a neighbour) will all affect how much noise you need to protect against. And of course, the more noise, the more expensive it will be to correct.

Depending on whether you’re just replacing your double glazing, fitting acoustic panels or insulation, or taking any number of other soundproofing, costs will mount up. Speaking to an expert and costing materials is the only way to get a real idea.

 

What are the disadvantages of soundproofing?

Soundproofing a room might feel like a no-lose situation, as you capture more peace and quiet to enjoy. However, there are actually pretty significant disadvantages to consider too.

The first is ventilation. Keeping sound out usually means restricting its flow into the room – and in turn restricting the flow of air. One way around this is to take the time to ‘air’ your house at set points throughout the day by opening all your windows fully. This will allow fresh air in but can get awkward and time-consuming.

Reduced ventilation also has another drawback – an increase of moisture in the air. An increase in moisture indoors can quickly lead to damp problems and even black mould. As many insulating materials are absorbent by design, they can also develop mould themselves, hidden out of view while still having many potential health impacts.

Finally, another disadvantage we’ve already covered is the cost. Taking a full-on approach will usually be costly, and will rarely deliver full silence. If you’re looking to lower the noise that gets into your home, this is often worth it but be aware of the limitations of any work you do.

How long does soundproofing last?

Different types of soundproofing will have different lifespans. Double glazing lasts for around 20 years, but acoustic panels and other types of wall insulations may have shorter lifespans. 

As with many things, the quality of the materials you use and how well they are fitted will dictate the lifespan of any soundproofing measures you take.

Do you need planning permission for soundproofing?

When it comes to fitting soundproofing to an existing home, you don’t need planning permission to make the majority of changes.

There are, as ever, exceptions to this rule, however. If you live in a conservation area, you may need planning permission to change your windows, front door, or make any other change that affects the exterior of your home. If you live in a listed building potential changes are even more restricted, so you should research the modifications you want to make before you start.

For new homes or extensions, there are building regulations around the soundproofing your building work must offer, however, these don’t apply if you are making improvements to your existing rooms.

Will the council soundproof my house?

Even if you are struggling with loud noise and disturbances in your home, it is unlikely that the council will soundproof your house. They do not currently offer any grants or help in this area, so if you want to undertake the work, it will be at your own cost.

If you are struggling with neighbour noise they may be able to prevent the neighbours being so loud, but there will be conditions to be met and they will not fund changes to your own home.

Deciding whether to invest the time and effort soundproofing your home can be difficult. Hopefully, with the above questions answered you will feel better equipped to decide yourself.

If you do want to try and keep street noise out of your home by replacing your windows with new double-glazed units, you can speak to our team today to find out more.

Look at any modern apartment block and you are likely to see French windows and a protective Juliet balcony. They are becoming more and more common across cityscapes and beyond, yet they are somehow still quite unknown. 

In our last blog post, we shed some light on the most commonly asked questions around Juliet balconies, but there was one question we couldn’t answer – whether a metal or glass Juliet balcony is the better choice.

We can’t answer this because there is no definitive answer. It depends on so many factors from where it’s being fitted to your own personal tastes. There are a lot of aspects to consider.

In this post, we won’t tell which is right for you either. What we will do is give you the information you need to work out which suits your own particular needs best. We’ll cover the practical benefits that each material offers, alongside a couple of design tips to help you find the best choice for your home. 

What are the benefits of a glass Juliet balcony?

When it comes to modern Juliet balconies, glass is easily one of the most popular choices. This makes sense as glass Juliet balconies do have a lot of benefits, including:

• Maximum light flow
• Low maintenance
• Long life span
• Protects against the wind
• Safety
• Visually appealing

Maximum light flow

One of the main reasons to use French windows or doors in an apartment is to let more natural light flow inside. Fitting them with a transparent or frosted glass Juliet balcony will help your doors deliver the highest possible light levels.

Frameless glass Juliet balconies are practically invisible (minus the mount system and potential handrail) and this makes them the perfect fit for this job. You get all the strength and maximum safety, while still getting the full benefit of that extra window space.

Low maintenance

As with any glass panel, a glass Juliet balcony is very low maintenance. Other than cleaning (which can be done at the same time as your windows, either by yourself or a window cleaner) it needs no real upkeep or maintenance.

In fact, checking the fittings are still secure is the only ongoing work you need to worry about throughout the duration of your balcony’s life.

Long-life span

Another benefit that comes with the sturdiness of toughened and laminated glass is that you can expect a long life span for your balcony. Even with minimal maintenance, glass Juliet balcony systems will last for many years, decades even, without showing any real sign of degrading.

Give it a quick clean and your glass Juliet balcony will look as good as the day it was installed for decades.

Protects against the wind

This practical benefit only comes to play if you use your Juliet balcony in front of an open door but it can be important. As a glass Juliet balcony is made out of a solid glass panel, it minimises the wind that gets into your living space when your doors are open.

As Juliet balconies are usually used at height, this can be quite a big benefit. You don’t have to worry about strong gusts blowing into your home and making a mess or bringing a chill. It will also offer a little protection against rain, if you don’t notice a downpour the moment it starts

Safety

The solid nature of glass brings another benefit with it too – it increases the safety the balcony is already providing. While the gaps in a metal balustrade will not be wide enough to allow anything large to slip through it, it is still helpful to have a solid panel too.

Visually appealing

Glass panels can be used to make an attractive decorative feature for your home. Well suited to modern apartment buildings, offices and even homes, they are a great way to add a touch of interest to the exterior of a building. They break up big expanses of brickwork, adding a little more dressing to windows without cluttering.

Though their clean, crisp lines are perfectly suited to more modern and contemporary building designs, they are simple enough to be flexible and can be used for older buildings too. You can further increase their visual appeal by choosing sandblasted or obscured glass – without sacrificing any of the light that gets in.

What are the disadvantages of a glass Juliet balcony?

The only real disadvantage to a glass Juliet balcony is that they can be difficult to clean. While the inside of the panel can be cleaned from inside your home, it is only possible to clean the outside using either ladders or window cleaning poles from the ground up.

However, this is the case for most windows too. If you have a window cleaning service already they will likely clean the glass of your balcony as standard, making this a much smaller problem too.

What are the benefits of a metal Juliet balcony?

If you’re looking to install a Juliet balcony, and glass doesn’t immediately appeal, chances are metal will be your other choice. As a material, it does have enough benefits to rival glass, so it’s easy to see why many people plump for metal instead. These benefits include:

• Very easy to maintain
• Robust
• More design flexibility
• Visually striking

Very easy to maintain

A high-quality metal Juliet balcony can be even easier to maintain than a glass one is. Powder coated steel and aluminium both need minimal upkeep to keep them at their best – a simple wipe down with a soft cloth soaked in warm water and soap to remove any dirt build-up will suffice.

As metal balconies are not solid, this task can often be done from inside your house too, making it something you can do yourself without any special tools or extra effort.

Robust

Another benefit this type of balcony will share with a glass Juliet balcony is durability. Admittedly, the exact robustness you get will depend on the metal you choose. For example, while a powder coating will last a long time, if it does get scratched or damaged it can leave the metal underneath at risk of rust. This is not a concern with a sleek aluminium balcony, however, this metal is more likely to be scratched or scuffed.

In either case, your balcony is unlikely to get damaged for many years so this should not be an overriding concern.

More design flexibility

One of the great things about a metal Juliet balcony is how flexible the design is. Unlike a glass balcony that is somewhat limited to a more sleek, minimalist look, there are options to suit a more traditional period home or a modern one.

For example, a decorative black option, with scrolled ironwork and a matte finish will look quite at home period homes, perfect for protecting large Victorian windows. However, if you have a more modern home then a sleek brushed aluminium option has a thoroughly modern look that will keep it

What about wooden Juliet balconies?

When it comes to standard balcony balustrades, wood is a popular choice. As such we knew we ought to cover it here, though it is not a common choice for use in Juliet balconies.

This is because wooden balustrades share the same major disadvantages as metal ones. Being opaque they interrupt light flow, which is something of an issue as Juliet balconies are often used to help let more natural light into a property.

The nature of wood means the bars of wooden balustrades are likely to be even thicker than on a metal version. It will block the light even more from entering your room.

Another disadvantage of wooden balustrades is how much maintenance they need. Unlike metal balustrades which only need very occasional cleaning and upkeep, or glass which needs cleaning but little else, wood needs to be carefully and regularly looked after in order to maximise its life span.

To protect it from the elements you will need to refinish the wood every couple of years with either a fresh coat of paint or varnish. If you don’t it will become vulnerable to moisture and it may rot or warp. If this happens, the integrity of the balustrades will weaken, leaving them at risk of breaking.

Due to the positioning, it is also a lot harder to maintain a wooden balcony, particularly if you need to sand it or fix it.

Is a metal or a glass Juliet balcony better?

As we started this post by saying, there is no definitive choice between a glass and metal Juliet balcony. Is entirely up to your personal choice. We hope, however, that this post has given you some guidance on that choice so you can see more clearly which is the correct option for you.

If you decide a glass Juliet balcony is the right choice for you, then our range of glass balustrades and balconies are durable, attractive and perfect for any home. Speak to us today to find out more about what we can offer.

 

Installing a balcony can be a great way to open up your rooms, find more light and space. It also adds a visual design touch that makes the exterior of your home stand out.

However, they can be expensive, complicated to fit and aren’t always a practical choice. If you’d like to let more of the outdoors into your upper floor space but can’t afford the investment of a full balcony, a Juliet balcony twinned with French doors can be an excellent compromise. But not everyone will consider a Juliet balcony – many people don’t even know what one is!

As we see a lot of confusion on the topic of Juliet balconies, we thought we’d take the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions and clear up a few facts around them. Read on if you’d like to know about what exactly Juliet balconies are, what they do and the things you need to consider when fitting one.

What is a Juliet balcony?

Essentially, a Juliet balcony is a glass balustrade that is fixed to the external wall of a building. They are often used in front of big windows or French doors and they don’t have a surface or deck to walk on them, unlike a standard balcony.

They are almost exclusively used above ground level.

Why is it called a Juliet balcony?

Juliet balconies take their names from Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet play. One of the play’s most memorable scenes involves Juliet standing on a balcony calling out to Romeo, and this is where the name ‘Juliet balcony’ is thought to originate.

This type of balcony is also called a ‘Juliette’ balcony which is just another spelling for the same name. They are also known as French balconies too.

What is the point of Juliet balconies?

The main role of a Juliet balcony is safety. Glass Juliet balconies are usually used in front of French double doors that are fitted at height (first floor or higher).

These double doors are commonly used in flats and buildings where external wall space is scarce. They are a great way to maximise the amount of natural light that flows inside. They also offer the option of throwing them open to let fresh air inside. 

But even with toughened laminated glass, full length windows and doors can become a safety hazard. One which obviously increases when the doors or window are open.

While wooden or metal railings will offer the same safety benefits of a glass Juliet balcony, they do obstruct the views. The handrails and bars interrupt sightlines and can even stop light getting in. In contrast, glass panels are completely clear so they mlet the maximum light and warmth into a room and give unobstructed views too.

This is particularly beneficial on higher floors where the views are often a selling point of a home or office space.

A glass Juliet balcony lets you get the best possible experience for your room, letting fresh air flow on warmer days and helping your room feel bigger and brighter.

Can you sit out on a Juliet balcony?

As they have no deck or floor space, it’s not possible to sit out on a Juliet balcony. If you’re looking to install a full balcony, glass panels still make an attractive, practical safe choice for balustrades but if you want a usable balcony there is a lot more work, considerations and costs involved.

What are the regulations around Juliet balconies?

Juliet balcony systems might not give you any real usable outdoor space, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t subject to certain rules and regulations around the materials they use and their installation. Here are a couple of things you need to consider before deciding to install one.

The main regulations relate to the glass used in the balcony and the height it stands. As with all residential building projects, safety is the most important factor so the glass panels used in a Juliet balcony must be toughened or laminated so that if it does break it doesn’t cause a risk. It needs to be at least 10mm thick too.

The panel of a Juliet balcony also needs to be a minimum of 1100mm high as well, to reduce the risk of accidentally falling over it. It will also need to be at least 150mm wider than the opening it’s fixed in front of, in order to leave space for the fittings and make sure it is secure.

Do you need planning permission for glass Juliet balconies?

A simple Juliet balcony without a floor doesn’t require planning permission to install or replace. They fall under ‘permitted delvopements’ which means you don’t have to seek permission from any local authorities before having them installed.

What are the disadvantages of Juliet balconies?

It’s hard to say there are any clear cut disadvantages to Juliet balconies, other than the fact they don’t offer the benefits of a more traditional balcony. Obviously, many people would prefer to have usable outdoor space so they can get outdoors into the sun on warmer days but that isn’t always an option.

It takes a lot more money, effort and planning to install a full balcony. If that isn’t an option for you, then a Juliet balcony makes a fantastic alternative.

One disadvantage can be if you have pets or young children. As these balconies don’t have a floor, it is not advisable to leave them unattended with open doors and only a Juliet balcony for protection.

Glass balconies to make your outdoor space elegant and enjoyable

Whatever type of balcony you decide to go for in your home, glass balustrades make a stylish and practical choice. From the clean lines and sharp looks, to the uninterrupted flows of light and sight without h

If you’d like a glass balcony that matches visual appeal with practical benefits, speak to us today to find out more about our high-quality range.

 

Does your bathroom feel small, cramped and dark? This is common when it comes to bathrooms. Usually the smallest room in the house, they are spaces driven by function first then aesthetics.

In fact, it is so common that we recently shared a post stuffed full of suggestions on how to make your tiny bathroom feel bigger and brighter.

One popular choice for opening up bathroom space is using a clear shower screen. Unlike shower curtains that severe your space into shrunken sections, a clear screen lets natural light flow throughout the whole bathroom. Combined with the clear sight lines it gives across the space, it maximises the sense of space as much as possible.

When you factor in how much easier it is to clean a screen than a curtain, plus the increased durability of a hard screen, picking a clear screen is a no-lose situation.

But choosing a screen isn’t the end of your decision. You need to choose between an acrylic shower screen or a glass one – though they might sound interchangeable (a shower screen is a shower screen after all) there are quite a few differences that each material brings.

To help you make an informed decision about which screen material is best for your bathroom, we’ve put together another shower screen post. We’ll cover maintenance, durability, cost, safety and even sustainability of each material to help you find the right shower screen for you.

Is an acrylic or a glass shower screen better?

Looks

When it comes to how your shower screen looks, glass shower screens are always going to be the best option.

The smooth, unblemished surface will always create a higher-quality appearance than acrylic which can have warping or visual distortions even from day one.

Also, a glass screen gives you the freedom to personalise your design. Sandblasting or etching on your shower screen can help you tailor your screen to meet any bathroom design, whether that’s by repeating a pattern seen elsewhere in the room or just adding a bit more style to the scene itself.

Best of all, glass screens keep their aesthetic appeal a lot longer. Even if your bathroom is recently decorated with sparkling taps and flawless grouting, scratches on your shower screen can make the whole room look tired or old. Scratches can even be mistaken for soap scum or dirt very easily and this will quickly drag down the look of your bathroom even further.

Safety

Another benefit of a toughened or tempered glass shower screen is its strength. It’s very unlikely to break in the first place. If it does, it will do so in a safe way – shattering to smooth crumbs so you don’t need to worry about cuts or scrapes.

This said safety is one area where acrylic shower screens have the advantage. They are a lot hard to break, and will usually crack before they snap so you can replace them before they become a real safety issue.

Glass shower screens are also heavier than acrylic screens, which can affect their safety, especially if the fittings start to fail.

Maintenance

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your shower screen, glass screens are an easier choice than acrylic.

When cleaning acrylic screens, you should only ever use mild soap, water and a soft cloth or sponge. Acrylic is quite soft, which means anything abrasive – both in terms of surfaces or liquid cleaners – can easily scratch it.

In comparison tempered glass has a tough durable surface that stands up to harsh cleaning chemicals without warping or scratching. If you swipe water off the surface with a squeegee after every use, you’ll only need to give your screen an occasional rub with glass cleaner to keep it looking its best indefinitely.

Durability

Overall, glass shower enclosures and screens tend to be more durable than acrylic screens, though this is a nuanced answer.

As we mentioned above, it is almost impossible to break an acrylic shower screen. This could suggest that a glass shower screen is less durable, but this is only half the story. They might not break completely, but acrylic panels are a lot more likely to get scratched, damaged or warped and need replacing earlier than a glass screen.

Acrylic can also turn slightly yellow when exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. While you can treat acrylic to slow this process down, glass is naturally UVB resistant so you don’t have to worry about it ever taking on an odd yellow tinge.

Sustainability

Glass is one of – if not the most – sustainable materials currently in use. Glass can be infinitely recycled so it never needs to end up as a waste product. And even if you don’t recycle it, glass is made of naturally occurring elements so it won’t break down into microplastics like acrylic does.

Thanks to its robustness, a glass shower screen is also likely to last longer than a plastic one. Combine this with the fact it can then so easily and endlessly be turned into something new, and glass clearly wins out as the more environmentally friendly option.

Cost

If you’re on a very tight budget, then an acrylic screen may be your only option. As they are weaker, less attractive and have such a shorter lifespan, acrylic shower screens tend to be a lot cheaper to purchase than glass ones.

Of course, in many ways, this is a false economy as the shorter lifespan of an acrylic screen just means it needs replacing sooner than a glass one. Acrylic is also easier to damage which can shorten its lifespan even further.

In the short term, an acrylic screen can feel like a cheaper option. In the long term though, glass wins out.

A shower screen to suit your bathroom

When it comes to picking the right shower screen for your home it’s always a subjective choice – and this includes choosing between acrylic and glass. It’s all about what appeals most to you.

But for us the answer will always be glass. Glass panels can upgrade any shower area and open up small bathrooms, adding style and function that survives for years.

Here at KLG, we’re committed to providing excellent quality glass products, quickly and at great prices. So if you’d like a bespoke glass screen that shows your bathroom at its best advantage, contact us today.

 

Glass display cabinets are a wonderful way to display items and show your belongings at their best. They’re also a versatile piece of furniture. Secure enough for commercial use, safe enough for home use and visually flexible enough to fit into any design scheme.

However, as with all furniture choices, if you pick the wrong glass cabinet your whole design scheme can get thrown off. And make the wrong choice around glass types, or what locks, lighting and shelves to use and you can even impact the security and safety of the items you’re displaying.

Picking the right display cabinet is essential. Luckily, there are only a few decisions you need to make to find the case you need, and this blog post is here to help you make them. We’ll cover the size of your cabinet, how to tailor it to suit your interior and look at how the lighting and security you pick will impact your items.

So whether you’re looking for a display case to showcase your achievements, a cabinet to show your products at their best angle or a curio cabinet to protect a carefully curated collection, here are some tips to help you find the perfect glass display cabinet for your home.

Size and space

Buying a bespoke glass cabinet opens up a world of size possibilities – don’t waste the opportunity by randomly guessing what you need.

First off, measure the space the cabinet will sit in. If you’re looking to fill a specific nook or alcove, then a custom cabinet means you can get an exact fit. Take the time to get accurate measurements and make sure to double-check them.

You also need to consider the size of the overall room you’ll be putting your cabinet in. When you put a large cabinet in a small room, it can feel imposing and shrink the size of the room so it feels cramped and cluttered. As with all furniture, you need to find an item that suits the space it’s going into.

With this type of cabinet, you can go a bit bigger than standard as one of the advantages of glass cabinets is their transparency. They keep sightlines clear which continues the flow of rooms and creates a sense of space. However, you still want a cabinet that is proportionate to the room – anything too big can still dwarf the space.

The final size to consider when picking your cabinet is what you want to keep inside it. If you’re planning to house a specific item or collection, you obviously need a suitably-sized cabinet. This includes thinking about how many shelves you want, and how far apart they should be.

The perfect material

Glass cabinets should always be made with toughened or laminated glass. Otherwise, you’ll sacrifice the safety and security of your home – not to mention the contents of your cabinet.

This is because toughened glass is up to 5x stronger than standard glass and is able to withstand harder impacts. And toughened or tempered glass will also crumble into smaller pieces if it does break, rather than sharp or jagged shards.

However, depending on your budget there are other options you can explore to improve your cabinet. For example, low-iron glass will give the clearest view of your cabinet without a green cast, but it does come at a cost.

Similarly, using glass with UV protection will help keep your important items safe from harmful UV rays but comes at a much higher price point.

If you are looking to seriously cut the costs of a display cabinet, you could also explore options for acrylic cabinets. These will offer some of the benefits of glass display cabinets, such as increasing light flow and giving 360° views, but they are much lower quality.

Aesthetic appeal

When it comes to furniture, looks are always important – glass display cases are no different. Though one of the benefits of glass cabinets is that they keep their contents as the focal point, you can still make a couple of choices around the look of a glass case that will help it suit different surroundings.

For example, the exposed edges of a UV-bonded glass case could be too harsh in a warm, cottagey living space. However, a case with glass sides and a wood frame sits much more comfortably in homely surroundings.

Similarly, if you’re looking for a minimalist or modern look, a brushed aluminium or steel frame nicely matches the clean lines of contemporary styles.

These decisions are always a matter of personal taste and are dependent on your existing interior design. But it’s important to consider all your options and make sure your cabinet suits its surroundings as well as any items it houses.

Lighting options

If you invest in a glass display cabinet, you want to make sure the contents always look their best. This means carefully positioned lighting to showcase its contents.

Decide whether you want the flexibility of lights outside the cabinet or the control of integrated lighting. What about the specific, directed light of spotlights or more diffused, consistent beams from a strip light? Consider the size and shape of items and where shadows will be cast – do you need additional lights to compensate?

Even the choice between a warm or cool-toned bulb is going to have a big impact on the look of your displayed items.

Spend time thinking it all through BEFORE purchasing your cabinet, and you’ll have a lot more flexibility in your options. Leave these decisions until after your cabinet arrives and you might not be able to implement the best option.

Added security features

Items kept in glass display cabinets tend to have a high value – be that sentimental or monetary.

When it comes to storing your prized possessions, it is sensible to explore additional security options. Obviously, the type of glass you choose will impact security, as will the thickness. Another

easy way to up the security that your display glass cabinet provides is with locks.

It is possible to get separate surface locks that you can fit onto your cabinets after purchase. These are available at a range of price points but start relatively cheap and are a good option if you change the use of your cabinet in the future.

However, if you know that you want that added peace of mind from day one, in-built locks are often the best choice. They are of higher quality, last longer and look less obtrusive than locks added after the fact.

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As with all furniture, you should always make a carefully considered choice when you’re picking out a glass display cabinet. They have an important job to perform – showcasing their contents at their best – and choosing a case that is too big for the room, incorrectly lit or made of the wrong materials is likely to hinder that job.

If you’ve decided on the exact specifications for your custom glass display case, speak to us today to turn your dream design into a reality.

 

 

There are plenty of practical reasons to pick a glass balustrade. However, the decisions we make about our home furnishings are often driven by more than logic.

When picking out something to add to our home, we often think about the visual impact first. Does it match the style of its surroundings? Is it in keeping with the theme of the house? And, most importantly, do you like how it looks?

These are much more subjective factors. No one can tell you what your home should look like (or what it shouldn’t). But when it comes to glass balustrades or bannisters, they have interior design benefits that help them fit in with a whole range of styles.

If you’re convinced of the practicality of a glass balustrade, but not so sure they match up aesthetically, here are a couple of design benefits you can expect when you pick them.

Improve the flow of natural light

One of the biggest benefits of using glazing is always the way it lets sunlight shine in. Whether you’re talking about doors, shower screens or bannisters, turning parts of your home transparent means that the whole room or space will be lighter.

With glass balustrades, this is particularly important. Hallways often have limited light sources, with windows few and far between. Anything you can do to increase the natural light in these spaces will make a big difference, and a glass balustrade can help share uninterrupted light between upstairs and downstairs.

This shared light is equally beneficial for staircases that are located inside rooms as well.

Increase sense of space

The transparency of glass doesn’t just increase the light in a room either. The uninterrupted sightlines will make a space feel much bigger as well as brighter.

This is obviously a great benefit for narrow or angular hallways, as it can stop staircases from feeling like they severe the space. Instead, it can create a sense of flow, helping upstairs and downstairs come together.

It can have an even bigger impact on staircases or landings inside actual rooms. Even though stairs aren’t exactly usable design space, glass balustrades can break down the barrier between the staircase and the room helping it feel like there is more distance from wall to wall.

While this doesn’t give more space to put furniture in, it still creates more space in the room, helping it feel bigger and more open plan.

Flexible with other materials

Thanks to its lack of colour and its smooth, sleek texture, glass is incredibly flexible from a visual point of view. While you may automatically picture a glass bannister with a metal handrail, frame and fixtures, you don’t actually have to limit your designs to suit steel.

Though sleek, smooth steel or aluminium make a beautiful complement to a glass balustrade, glass can also make an attractive contrast with natural materials like wood. From the drama of dark hardwood to the gentler tones of softwood like pine, glass can look just as stunning against wood as it can with metal.

Even better the smooth, clean surface of glass makes a perfect counterpoint to the textured grain of wood. Both materials can make a stunning design statement in themselves.

Support a modern, minimalist look

Team a glass bannister with a wooden frame and it can look perfectly at home at home anywhere – even in a period property or cottagey aesthetic. but when it comes to a cutting-edge contemporary home, you’ll struggle to beat a glass bannister to match your design.

Minimalist decor is all about clean lines and an unfussy design – and you won’t get cleaner or sleeker than glass. Pair it with a metal frame to create contrast, or go frameless for ultimate minimalism.

As we mentioned before, picking glass will also help you create a sense of space and increase light which are both key parts of a contemporary interior aesthetic.

Add a decorative flourish

Find the right balustrade and you can even create a decorative focal point with your glass bannister itself.

Rather than plumping for clear glass, pick out pattered, frosted or obscured sandblasted glass. This type of glass is just as robust, strong and easy to maintain as standard glass but the treated glass will add its own visual texture too.

You can even choose to have your own design added to the glass. Here at KLG, we can create patterned glass that matches the design of fabric, wallpaper or even tiles. So if you have a feature wall that’s papered in a distinctive style, we can help you echo that look elsewhere being tied to colour choices.

Sandblasted glass adds its own visual appeal but it will slightly obscure sightlines. However, it still maintains 97% light transmission so it will still help your rooms feel bigger and brighter.

Lift your staircase with a glass bannister

If you want to refresh your stairs with a staircase that shares natural light and helps your hallway feel bigger, then a glass balustrade is a wonderful option.

Here at KLG we make bespoke balustrades to fit any size or style of home. Speak to us today to find out more.

Glass display cabinets are the ultimate in functional storage. If you want somewhere to store your prized possessions or products that keep them safe and show them to their very best advantage, a glass display cabinet is a dream choice.

But they aren’t always a common choice, because not many people know about them. This can make them hard to judge and buy – how do you if the case is worth the cost, or whether it is secure enough to hold valuables or if it will keep your treasures looking lovely? 

We’ve put together this post to shed some light on the facts about glass display cases. We’ll answer commonly asked questions, and explore the practical choices you need to make if you want to pick out the perfect glass case. 

What are glass display cases made of?

While, unsurprisingly, glass cabinets are made of glass, they aren’t necessarily made of the same material you see in other spots around your house – including cabinet doors.

This is partly because the glass in display cabinets usually provides its own structural support. Even in cases with aluminium or wooden frames and joins, the majority of the structure’s weight will be held by the glass. And, in UV-bonded glass display cases, it is only glass that supports that weight.

However, you also need glass that will show (and keep your items) at their best and this means a specialist product selection. A UV light-resistant finish will help limit the damage that sunlight does to the content. 

Other specialist glass features can also be chosen.

Does cabinet glass need to be tempered?

One glass feature you should always look out for when buying a glass display cabinet is tempered glass. Tempered glass has been treated at high temperatures to make it stronger – in fact, it is around 5x stronger than standard glass.

This strength is vital for display cabinets, as it increases both security and safety. Whether you intended to or not, it’s common to accidentally leave extra weight on the top of glass cabinets. Standard glass isn’t able to withstand this, even for short periods. 

However, tempered glass is more than up to the job. Obviously, there are still limits, 

Another option to consider for display cabinets is laminated glass, which is impressively secure. This type of glass has a layer of film sandwiched in the centre. This helps the glass holds its shape even when it’s broken.

Why is low iron glass used in display cabinets?

As well as having the strength to keep your valuable or prized possessions safe, you want to make sure they look their best on display. Low-iron glass can help with this.

Have you ever looked through a pane of glass and noticed a slight green colour cast onto the other side? This is down to the iron that is part of standard glass. Low iron glass reduces this content, creating glass that is much clearer and gives no green tints for the content of your display cabinet.

What are the advantages of glass display cabinets?

The biggest benefit of glass display cases is how beautifully they display their contents. Whether in a high-end retail store, a carefully curated collection or housing a person’s most treasured possessions, they always showcase items at their best.

Glass-topped cases will give the most complete view of an item possible, while the glass sides will maximise the light that reaches the items so they can be seen clearly. They are also flexible, giving you plenty of options to rearrange their contents to direct attention to your favoured pieces.

Best of all, glass display cabinets are easy to clean. They may need a regular wipe down with a standard glass cleaner and soft cloth, to remove any finger marks but their large, smooth, surface area makes this a quick job. You won’t need to work up a sweat scrubbing. Nor will you need to start shifting around your cabinet contents to clean the inside either.

Do glass cabinets keep dust out?

While glass display cases can’t claim to stay dust-free, they will seriously restrict the amount of dust that gets onto your items. Having solid sides in every direction reduces the movement of dust, so they are a lot easier to maintain than a set of open shelves.

This makes them a fantastic choice for displaying items of value, items that aren’t touched very often or anything fragile. With display cases, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your items as regularly and risking damage to them.

What are the drawbacks of glass display cabinets?

Perhaps the biggest drawback of glass display cabinets is their cost.

When picking out a glass display cabinet, it is foolish to sacrifice quality to keep costs down. This type of furniture is designed to deliver on style while showing your prized possessions or products in their best light.

Choosing low-cost options like acrylic, cheaper glass or inferior build quality will take away from the look of the items you are displaying. It can even impact the safety of the cabinet.

If you’re going to effort of displaying your items in a fully transparent case, then it is clear you want them to look their best and be as visually accessible as possible. The only way to do this is with a high-quality glass case, which will ensure your prized possessions have the best lighting and visibility from every angle.

Are glass display cabinets worth it?

If you’re looking for a stylish solution to showcase your collectables or display your products at their best, then a bespoke glass display cabinet is a fantastic option. Whether you’re looking for a corner glass display cabinet to keep in your home or an impressive addition to your retail space, we have a range of options and styles to choose from.

Contact us today to discover exactly how we can help with a custom glass display unit.