Architectural glass in the mainstream
Glass is being paired with natural materials in a diverse range of applications, according to Safeguard Glazing Supplies, which was recently involved in a pool and gym installation.
“We’re seeing glass partitioning and sliding doors specified in more and more domestic as well as commercial applications,” project manager Richard Challinor said. “It’s an increasingly important part of our business and one which we’re growing.”
The Lincolnshire glass processor and IGU manufacturer, was appointed by oak frame specialist, Natural Structures, to supply internal glass doors and partitioning to a new oak-framed pool and home gym in neighbouring Leicestershire.
The owners had a couple of dogs and they wanted to be able to close off the pool area without losing light or making the gym feel enclosed.
Safeguard Glazing Supplies designed a single glass traffic door, and sliding door and fixed light, with the floor-to-ceiling oak frame of the building using the Portavant 60 Twinline and swing door Self-Closing Patch system from Bohle, which is available as a space-saving wall mounted or ceiling or lintel hung system.
Accommodating 8mm-12mm toughened and 8.76mm-12.76mm laminated glass, it features integrated dampeners, so that each sash closes on the other using a soft-close technology. Installation is also straightforward with all components inserted into the track laterally.
This means that the glass panel fitted with clamping jaws is mounted into the twin roller assembly from below, making adjustment and setting simpler.
A special swivelling feature on the clamp also means that the cushioning system and the activator remain perfectly aligned even if installed outside of exact vertical alignment up to a tolerance of +/-2.5mm.
The Portavant 60 Twinline’s telescopic mechanism enables each individual door leaf to be stacked alongside the other, maximising opened space.
This is also used in the Portavant 150 Multiline. Suitable for single-sided or two-sided installations, it can accommodate spans of up to 6m and weights of up to 150kg as a single system, and 12m with two systems, while individual sashes can be manufactured to up to 960mm in width.
The Portavant range is also available in three standard sliding door options: the Portavant 60 (60kg); the Portavant 120, which can accommodate weights of up to 80kg; and the Portavant 150 (150kg).
“The complexity of fitting internal sliding doors has perhaps slowed their potential growth but with this was straightforward to install and the operation was perfect straight away, requiring very little adjustment,” Richard said.
“This and the other new systems which are being brought onto the market, including those from Bohle, are making it much more accessible.
This includes this includes Bohle’s new MasterTrack internal sliding door system. Fitted in as little as 10 minutes it is able to accommodate glass thickness from 8mm to 12.76mm and maximum sash weights of up to 150kg using a single wall mounted or ceiling hung track.
The swing-door Self-closing Corner Fitting from Bohle replaces the conventional floor springs used in traditional internal swing-door self-closing systems with a hydraulic option.
The Self-closing corner Fitting doesn’t need to be recessed and can be fitted in 45 minutes, using just four screws to fix to the floor, as part of a simple two-stage process.
Bohle also supplies Frametec, its interior glass partitioning system, which incorporates similar design flexibility, supporting full customisation. Supplied in Select and Premium formats, the Premium offer also delivers exceptional sound insulation of 33dB, while its also certified to EN ISO 10140.
Chloe Baines, hardware manager at Bohle, said: “Internal glass door systems are ‘on trend’ and architects are exploiting their use in wide variety of commercial, retail and domestic applications. Most importantly, with a new generation of easy-installation systems are available, which means that the sector provides a new business platform for glass processors and home improvement installation businesses.
“The residential sector in particular represents a great secondary market opportunity for glass processors and home improvement businesses.
“Glass processors can access it through a supply only or supply and fit basis – regardless, it pulls more glass through the line. For home improvement businesses internal door and partitioning installation creates an additional revenue stream, and one which uses their core skills set.”
