Tag: next generation

How Long Does A Balcony Last? Exploring End of Life

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]How long does a balcony last? What happens at a balcony’s end of life?

End-of-life and disassembly need to be considered from an early stage, even before a new development has broken first ground. Whilst maintenance and repair of balconies need to be considered throughout the building’s lifespan, it’s also important to note that a balcony may need to be replaced entirely at the end of its natural lifespan. We’re here to answer some important questions on what happens once a balcony has reached its final days.

What’s the lifespan of a balcony?

A balcony’s lifespan can depend on a number of factors, including maintenance and mid-life replacement. Building structures are typically designed for 60-year lifespans and our balconies are designed to exceed this.

Some structural elements of the buildings are exposed to different weather conditions and are not protected by the façade, such as balconies. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the lifespan of the balconies in the building as they reach the end of their design life.

British Standard BS 7543 provides guidance on the durability, design life and maintenance of buildings and their functional components, aiming to ensure that buildings and their elements perform as intended throughout their expected lifespan. Balconies, in this standard, are classified as ‘maintainable’ components, needing regular inspections, cleaning and repairs, with end-of-life planning being necessary, and suppliers needing to consider recycling and sustainable disposal practices.

How are balconies dealt with at the end of their lifecycle?

Our balconies are almost entirely recyclable by design.

In fact, aluminium is one of the easiest metals to recycle.

According to the Council for Aluminium in Building (www.c-a-b.org.uk), the recycling rate of architectural aluminium is between 92 – 98%. Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), a component found in some decking boards, is also easily recycled. Furthermore, according to The Aluminium Association, a 10% increase in end-of-life aluminium recycling can decrease industry greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15%.

For this aluminium to be recycled, the balconies need to be disassembled. Thanks to the demountable connections, our entire balcony range, from our Glide-On™ Cassettes® to our Clip-On® connections, can be removed from a building by a trained professional for repairs, maintenance or disassembly and recycling.

Once removed, the materials can be easily disassembled and the components can be sent for recycling, to be used in either newly fabricated aluminium or in other aluminium products across the globe.

How can you prove what you’re doing is environmentally sound?

Creating ethical sustainability measures is crucial for us at Sapphire. We’ve been committed to sustainable improvements and certifications since 2009 and are delighted to have been the first balcony manufacturer to create full Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) covering all stages of our lifecycle from our cast-in anchor to the completed Cassette®, soffits and balustrading. We’re not resting on our laurels though. We remain committed to continued research and creation of new EPDs for each new generation of balcony products we create.

Furthermore, we’ve also stated our commitment to the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi) and our chosen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We use our EPDs to create transparency around the balcony lifecycle, empowering our customers to make informed decisions about their environmental footprint.

This is all to say that the proof of our environmentally sound process is available and easily requestable. We’ve committed ourselves to transparency around our sustainable processes, and to further educational events and content on ethical sustainability in construction.

The construction industry in 2024 demands a high level of transparency and we understand that it is our responsibility to provide that transparency at every level of manufacture, from early design to the very end of our balcony lifecycle.

To understand more about the construction of our balconies, feel free to get in touch with our support team and see if taking the step towards a sustainable, ethical, prefabricated balcony could be right for your development.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Pre-fab Balconies at BuildEx Vancouver

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]At BuildEx Vancouver, we had the chance to connect with Canadian industry experts and showcase our Next Generation suite of balconies, featuring an innovative CLT connection and standout balcony design.

Our Next Generation balcony sets a new standard, offering a lighter, faster, and more environmentally conscious balcony than any other option on the market.

If you couldn’t attend, don’t worry – we’ve gathered valuable insights from your inquiries and compiled answers to your most pressing questions about our prefabricated Next Generation balconies.

Discover how our Next Generation balcony could significantly enhance your upcoming residential project.

Connecting balconies to timber

A question that kept coming up was how we can connect to a cross-laminated (CLT) or mass timber framework – Our balconies have an innovative connection system that can connect to many building frameworks, including CLT.

As CLT is a relatively light building material, unlike concrete the balcony cant be cast in place and the strength of the slab to take forces of heavier balconies are reduced. Brackets can be fixed to the top of the CLT slab at an angle to maximise pull-out resistance from the balcony moment forces and tested in advance to confirm structural integrity. One of the advantages of Sapphire’s system is that the light weight means it can be used with CLT. Our innovative Next Generation Cassette solution can be used as the structural integrity of the frame can be maintained even with the heavier steel anchor arms.

Read our full article on connecting to CLT brackets here:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”13837″ heading=”Connecting to CLT Brackets” button_text=”Learn more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fglobal%2Fglide-on-variation-connecting-to-clt-brackets%2F” double_height=””]It’s possible to connect a balcony to CLT brackets with Sapphire’s Next Generation balconies.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][sapphire_carousel images=”13832,13833,13834,13835″ notch=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Built-in thermal breaks

With an increased focus on LEED, TEDI and Passive House, thermal performance is crucial. If you make penetrations in a building’s façade, how can you maintain thermal performance?

Simple. Our balconies are future-ready and pre-fabricated off-site. On the site itself, small penetrations are made in the building façade that we’ve incorporated a small thermal break into. Each of these small penetrations can achieve a reduction in heat loss without the need for a continuous linear thermal break.

In fact, built-in thermal breaks can be simpler to achieve than linear thermal breaks in many circumstances and function at an even higher level of performance than traditional concrete alternatives.

To know more, just ask us about the Sapphire StubGuard, or visit the link below:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”6503″ heading=”StubGuard®” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fanchors-stubs%2Fstubguard%2F|title:StubGuard%C2%AE” double_height=””]Learn about Sapphire’s StubGuard solution by visiting the product page.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Appearance vs. Concrete

Finally, we were overwhelmed with comments on just how good our system looks. Thanks to working with aluminum, we can not only control the design but also the aesthetic that comes along with it.

  • Premium Quality – Factory-controlled stage-by-stage quality control processes guarantee a premium balcony.
  • Finished Deck & Underside – With neat aluminum soffits underneath and decking included as standard, Sapphire’s Next Generation balconies have an enhanced street appeal and take the aesthetic appeal of your building to the next level.
  • Discreet Fixings – Sapphire’s Next Generation balconies have been carefully engineered to avoid visible welds and keep fixings discreet. Every single balcony comes with soffits included which complete the underside and maintain a clean, simple aesthetic.
  • Balconies That Fit Every Time – We provide templates with our cast-in anchors. These templates avoid reinforced concrete frame casting mismeasurements and avoid the traditional bolt-on or concrete balcony misalignment issues, which can cause coordination issues and variations.

Visit this page to understand even more about the benefits of our Next Generation aluminum balconies:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”12004″ heading=”Aluminum vs. Concrete Balconies” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Faluminium-concrete-balconies%2F|title:Aluminium%20vs%20Concrete%20Balconies” double_height=””]Read our full article demonstrating the differences between our innovative aluminum solution and traditional concrete.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Conclusion

With our Next Generation Cassette system, we’re offering innovative solutions for connecting balconies to timber frameworks, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), incorporating built-in thermal breaks, crucial for maintaining thermal performance, surpassing traditional concrete alternatives.

Are you ready to be part of the future of construction? The Next Generation is here and can be specified for your residential project today.

Contact us to find out even more:[/sapphire_textBlock][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Luxura® sets Sapphire’s new standard, partnering with MyDek

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Formed in 2019, MyDek has spent their existence finding the ultimate solution to decking safety. With the newest iteration of their A-rated, non-combustible decking solutions, the Luxura® board, they’ve provided these benefits to over 42,000 customers and counting.

Today, Sapphire are proud to announce an exclusive partnership with MyDek that bundles MyDek’s Luxura® board onto every one of their Next Generation balconies as standard.

Bundled with Sapphire

Sapphire and MyDek have come to an exclusive agreement to fit Luxura® decking as standard on all Next Generation balconies.

The Next Generation suite comes with a range of improvements over the market standard, such as its light weight, reducing the embodied carbon footprint by up to 19% across stages A1-A5. The safety of the balcony has been improved, thanks to innovations like the Remote Locker Device (RLD) which means a balcony installation team never again needs to step out onto an unsecured load. Finally, the Next Generation balcony has more possibilities than ever, with the brand-new Clip-On connection allowing for a balcony to be secured with small hooks, one of Sapphire’s most sustainable connection solutions yet.

Benefits of Luxura®

Luxura® isn’t just better to fit – it’s better from manufacture all the way to being better for the end user.

Thanks to the smart composite material used in MyDek’s Luxura® boards, all Sapphire balconies will have superior decking performance when compared to other decking options on the market. Luxura outperforms porcelain and natural stone in robustness and doesn’t require additional subframes to be added to the balcony thanks to MyDek’s intelligent SupportRail or BoxRail fixing systems.

What’s more is that the end-user benefits too – Luxura® is better underfoot with less heat retained, no metallic sound on the foot and no metallic edges. The natural look and feel of Luxura® is exclusive to Sapphire Balconies, so why wait to secure the next revolution in decking when it’s available today.

Safety

Since the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in 2017, fire safety in cladding, balcony materials and interior design has been at the forefront of the minds of architects, developers and suppliers across the country. To that effect, the combustibility of materials has been considered at every stage by MyDek.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”5093″ heading=”Building Safety Act 2022″ button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fukpga%2F2022%2F30%2Fcontents%2Fenacted” double_height=””]Access the full Building Safety Act on the UK Government website.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Richard McMullan, Head of Brand Development at MyDek, has previously emphasised the importance of using A1 & A2-rated non-combustible materials to ensure the fire safety of their Luxura® range. MyDek have gone so far as to extensively test their range and have been awarded with a A1 EN13501 fire classification, eliminating concerns about smoke production and flaming droplets.

Given this testing, Luxura® is one of the safest options for balcony decking on the market today and their being bundled with Sapphire’s Next Generation Cassettes® serves as an advantage to both the companies and their customers alike.

Good for the customer

Luxura® serves as a compliment to Sapphire’s balconies, a compliment to our customers and a compliment to the end-user.

Luxura can be easily installed after a short amount of specialist training using MyDek’s SupportRail or BoxRail systems and requires minimal maintenance after installation, typically only needing an occasional wash to maintain its box-fresh style.

Furthermore, thanks to intelligent product design, Luxura® is resistant to a huge number of elements, including high heat, excess water, salt, sea spray and dimensional changes in different weather conditions. This means that warping, expansion and contraction in different weather conditions can be cut out of the equation, making sure your balcony’s decking stays as durable as the day it was manufactured.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”12440″ heading=”Luxura® Fire Test” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mydek.com%2Finsights%2Fstructural-fire-test-on-luxura%25ef%25b8%258f-range%2F” double_height=””]Discover the full capabilities of Luxura® in their fire test.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Finally, Luxura partners well with Sapphire’s Next Generation suite as there are More Possibilities for the design than ever before. Luxura® can be laser-engraved for customisation, meaning wood-effect, stone-effect or any other design that springs to mind can be specified at an early stage.

Conclusion

Sapphire & MyDek have come together to make balcony decking a challenge of the past.

Luxura® promises to be the most highly fire-rated decking product in the residential construction market with an A1 EN13501 fire-rating classification, BoxRail or SupportRail installation technology for ease of fitting and a customisable product that suits whatever style your development is going for.

With Luxura’s® innovations in fire safety, installation, maintenance and customisation – there’s never been a better time to specify Sapphire on your project.

Contact us today to see how a Next Generation balcony fitted with Luxura could benefit your upcoming development.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Celebrating our award-winning team

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]2023 was a bumper year for achievement at Sapphire.

Between launching our ultra-low carbon  Next Generation suite, conducting a live fire test alongside Efectis in Ireland and raising over £600,000 for charity, we felt like we put our stamp on last year in a pretty permanent way.

But that’s not all – we were the proud recipients of several industry awards throughout the year and we’d like to dedicate this blog to our team’s successes in 2023. Here’s what our award-winning team got up to last year.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_carousel images=”13469,13470,13471″ notch=””][sapphire_textBlock]

Willmott Dixon Supply Chain Award

It was an honour for our Business Development Team members, Elston Gurr and Clyde Henry, to be present at the awards ceremony to receive the Willmott Dixon Supply Chain award.

Steven Doyle, Supply Chain Manager for Willmott Dixon, commended our team for their excellent service and expressed his hope for a continued positive relationship in 2024 and beyond.­­

We’d like to express our gratitude to Willmott Dixon for recognizing our efforts, commitment and ongoing working relationship – we’ve proudly displayed the award in our head office for the whole team to see.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_carousel images=”13474,13473,13472″ notch=””][sapphire_textBlock]

Wates Innovation Award

Next up, we were the recipient of the Wates Group’s Sustainability, Environment and Innovation award.

This meant a lot to us at Sapphire – it’s fantastic to know that our work on launching our Vision 2030 document, our work on committing to the Science-Based Target initative (SBTi) and our work on creating our #KinderBalconies hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Wates were incredibly gracious in what they said about us, saying:

“The winner of the Sustainability award is a company who are always leading. Their approach to balconies and leading with Science Based Targets, Sustainable innovations and their approach to our projects is why they have won this category”.

We’d like to express some further gratitude to Wates – we’ve spent the last 32 years striving to be an innovative company and being recognized for our efforts means a great deal, thank you![/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_carousel images=”13475,13476″ notch=””][sapphire_textBlock]

The Business Magazine Tech Company of the Year Award

Finally, Sapphire were the honoured winners of The Business Magazine’s Tech Company of the Year award in the Thames Valley region.

The judges were incredibly kind in their comments, saying[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_quoteBlock]”Sapphire took the definition of ‘technology’ to a new level. It extends beyond digital hardware, software and cloud systems. What stood out to us was the extent to which their definition of technology had existed beyond that and into their very DNA. Their seemingly endless pursuit of innovation sits at the heart of everything they do and could be seen and heard in the way that they talk, the way that they think, and in the way that we could see people are encouraged to share and explore new ideas and opportunities.”[/sapphire_quoteBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]In our acceptance speech, Kevin Bonnar and Zdravka Petrova had this to say:

“The judges said we have technology in our DNA and this comes from our founder and his two sons. They like to invent and never stand still, which keeps us all on our toes. Technology breakthroughs for us include the latest evolution of our balcony system and our recently launched curved balcony system, which is a game changer for us”.

We’re incredibly proud to be the recipients of this award, a huge thank you to The Business Magazine for their kind words and for the boost it gave us going into 2024.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Winning awards isn’t everything. Of course it’s not. But bringing together our staff, celebrating their success, boosting morale and acknowledging that as a unit, we’re stronger, is absolutely worth praising.

Having an award-winning team means working better from early engagement to finished installation, and our Next Generation balconies are the proof that our team deserves the acclaim they’ve been getting.

Congratulations Team Sapphire, you deserve it![/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_imageBlock image=”13751″ notch=”” height=””][/sapphire_imageBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What makes Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony so exciting?

Posted on by sapphireadmin

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The Next Generation Balcony is here and it’s a huge step forward for the residential construction market. But what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting?

We’ve compiled our Top 5 reasons to get excited about the Next Generation Balcony – from the lightweight Cassette® to the design freedom offered, it’s time to put those old concrete finishings to rest and welcome a whole new way to add some ‘jewellery’ to your external envelope.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

1.     Lighter

The Next Generation is lighter.

Thanks to innovative thinking and a lightweight framework, we’ve been able to significantly reduce the weight on your building’s structure, further reducing the risk of cold bridging in those bitterly cold winters! Thanks to our team of fantastic engineers, we’ve been able to optimize our balcony Cassette® and using the new Clip-On™ anchor, we’ve been able to reduce moment forces back to the building as low as 4kNm.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

2.     Safer

The Next Generation is safer.

Harness work at height can be scary as well as dangerous. Designing for the future means ensuring the safety of not only the end user but the installation team too. Thanks to our innovative Remote Locker Device (RLD), our Next Generation Balconies can be installed remotely, meaning an installation team never needs to step out onto an unguarded balcony edge. Our Next Generation Balcony brings robotics to the forefront and allows for a safer, more secure and swift installation.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

3.     More Possibilities

The Next Generation has more possibilities.

We’ve increased not just the number of connection methods available with the Next Generation Balcony but increased the aesthetic freedom for your design and architecture team too. Thanks to our new Clip-On™ connection, the Next Generation Balcony clips into small hooks integrated into the façade just like a seatbelt. Furthermore, we’re proud to introduce the Crescent Corner Cassette®, Identité Balustrade and Crescent Balustrade as options for your balcony balustrade, each available in hundreds of colours for a total of over 7 million aesthetic combinations.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

4.     Faster

The Next Generation is faster.

The Next Generation Balcony is able to out-perform concrete in speed nearly ten times over. As we demonstrated during The Balcony Showdown in Concord, Ontario in July of this year, when compared to a traditional concrete balcony alternative, the Next Generation Balcony (assisted by our innovative Remote Locking Device) was able to be lifted and installed ten times in the amount of time it took for a single concrete slab’s balustrading to be fixed in place. Our speed of installation means fewer hours spent on-site, fewer risks taken and fewer mistakes made for an overall better-performing balcony.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

5.     Kinder

The Next Generation is kinder.

There’s a lot to be said for being kind. From an act of goodwill to a neighbour to our company mantra – “Innovation to Prosper the Community” – being kinder has always been part of our DNA. The Next Generation Balcony is kinder to people, kinder to construction and kinder to the planet. By being the most sustainable balcony we’ve ever produced – a 19% reduction in CO2 across stages A1-A5 – we can commit to not only our ESG strategy (our Vision 2030 is available online) but also to a sustainable product that works both now and decades down the line.

You were wondering what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting and we’ve delivered. Our brand-new suite of improvements makes a Sapphire balcony lighter, safer, faster, have more possibilities than ever before and kinder to all.

To learn more about the Next Generation suite, click below.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]

25/10/2023

The Next Generation revealed

Find out more

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

What makes Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony so exciting?

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]The Next Generation Balcony is here and it’s a huge step forward for the residential construction market. But what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting?

We’ve compiled our Top 5 reasons to get excited about the Next Generation Balcony – from the lightweight Cassette® to the design freedom offered, it’s time to put those old concrete finishings to rest and welcome a whole new way to add some ‘jewellery’ to your external envelope.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_carousel images=”13249,13250,13251,13252,13254,13253,13255″ notch=”true”][sapphire_textBlock]

1.     Lighter

The Next Generation is lighter.

Thanks to innovative thinking and a lightweight framework, we’ve been able to significantly reduce the weight on your building’s structure, further reducing the risk of cold bridging in those bitterly cold winters! Thanks to our team of fantastic engineers, we’ve been able to optimize our balcony Cassette® and using the new Clip-On™ anchor, we’ve been able to reduce moment forces back to the building as low as 4kNm.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

2.     Safer

The Next Generation is safer.

Harness work at height can be scary as well as dangerous. Designing for the future means ensuring the safety of not only the end user but the installation team too. Thanks to our innovative Remote Locker Device (RLD), our Next Generation Balconies can be installed remotely, meaning an installation team never needs to step out onto an unguarded balcony edge. Our Next Generation Balcony brings robotics to the forefront and allows for a safer, more secure and swift installation.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

3.     More Possibilities

The Next Generation has more possibilities.

We’ve increased not just the number of connection methods available with the Next Generation Balcony but increased the aesthetic freedom for your design and architecture team too. Thanks to our new Clip-On™ connection, the Next Generation Balcony clips into small hooks integrated into the façade just like a seatbelt. Furthermore, we’re proud to introduce the Crescent Corner Cassette®, Identité Balustrade and Crescent Balustrade as options for your balcony balustrade, each available in hundreds of colours for a total of over 7 million aesthetic combinations.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

4.     Faster

The Next Generation is faster.

The Next Generation Balcony is able to out-perform concrete in speed nearly ten times over. As we demonstrated during The Balcony Showdown in Concord, Ontario in July of this year, when compared to a traditional concrete balcony alternative, the Next Generation Balcony (assisted by our innovative Remote Locking Device) was able to be lifted and installed ten times in the amount of time it took for a single concrete slab’s balustrading to be fixed in place. Our speed of installation means fewer hours spent on-site, fewer risks taken and fewer mistakes made for an overall better-performing balcony.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

5.     Kinder

The Next Generation is kinder.

There’s a lot to be said for being kind. From an act of goodwill to a neighbour to our company mantra – “Innovation to Prosper the Community” – being kinder has always been part of our DNA. The Next Generation Balcony is kinder to people, kinder to construction and kinder to the planet. By being the most sustainable balcony we’ve ever produced – a 19% reduction in CO2 across stages A1-A5 – we can commit to not only our ESG strategy (our Vision 2030 is available online) but also to a sustainable product that works both now and decades down the line.

You were wondering what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting and we’ve delivered. Our brand-new suite of improvements makes a Sapphire balcony lighter, safer, faster, have more possibilities than ever before and kinder to all.

To learn more about the Next Generation suite, click below.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_blogContentLink post_id=”13182″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Next Generation revealed

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Today at Vision Construct 2023, Sapphire Balconies officially unveiled their new suite of balconies, dubbed The Next Generation.

The Next Generation suite of balconies is a huge step forward for the construction market, using an ultra-low carbon framework and innovative developments across the board that make this the future of Sapphire’s product line. We’ve reduced the CO2 in our Next Generation balconies by 19% across stages A1-A5 and made this our most sustainable suite of products ever.

We’ve spoken over the last few months about the benefits of the Next Generation – it’s Lighter, it’s Safer, there are More Possibilities than ever before and most of all, it’s Kinder to people, Kinder to the environment and Kinder to construction.

We’re now excited to explain exactly how the Next Generation achieves all of this.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_carousel images=”13193,13192,13191,13190,13189,13188,13187,13186,13185,13184,13183″ notch=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Lighter

The Next Generation is Lighter.

We’ve reduced the amount of material in our balconies compared to our standard Glide-On Cassette®, meaning the amount of embodied carbon is reduced as a result. Furthermore, thanks to the lighter-weight Cassette® of the Next Generation Balcony, we’re able to transport more balconies to the site in a single journey, further reducing the embodied carbon footprint of your project.

As an extra benefit, the light weight of the Next Generation Balcony Cassette® means that we’ve further reduced the weight on your building’s structure. This means fewer penetrations in the building façade, less risk of thermal bridging and a more energy-efficient building for both you and your end-users.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Safer

The Next Generation is Safer.

We’ve redefined what balcony safety can mean using our award-winning Remote Locker Device (RLD). Having played a big part in us recently being awarded the prestigious Tech Company of the Year 2023 Award and readily available on projects globally, the RLD allows for a balcony to be installed remotely, without installation teams ever needing to step onto a balcony before it is secured to the building. Thanks to the Next Generation’s new design, an installer will never need to work under a live load, nor will they need to step out onto a load that hasn’t already been locked into place.

We’ve taken accountability to new heights – our innovative Passport® quality control app is still in place and as smart as ever – our balconies are thoroughly checked over before they have a chance to leave the factory and by making sure that every balcony is right on arrival, we’re making sure that your project stays safe, secure and installed on time.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_carousel images=”13206,12886,12876″ notch=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

More Possibilities

The Next Generation has More Possibilities than ever before.

From the way the balcony connects to the building to greater aesthetic freedom, the Next Generation is versatile and able to become whatever your project needs it to be. We’ve introduced various new balustrading options across the Next Generation range, including our previously announced Crescent Corner balcony. We are now proud to offer the Identité Balustrade, patterned vertical bars and Crescent Balustrade as customisation options for your balcony project in a choice of hundreds of colours. With 15 types of balustrades and over 8 million combinations, variations and permutations available, the Next Generation is Sapphire’s most aesthetically versatile suite of balconies yet.

But that’s not all.

There are now more connection methods available for Sapphire’s Next Generation range than ever before. From the classic Glide-On™ and Tie-Rod connections to the brand new Clip-On™ connections being used at Wembley Park’s new North East Lands developments, interfacing with your project has never been simpler.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_carousel images=”13208,12398,12962,12394,9828,12387″ notch=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Kinder

The Next Generation is Kinder.

There’s a lot to be said for being kind. From an act of goodwill to a neighbour to our company mantra – “Innovation to Prosper the Community” – being kinder has always been part of our DNA. Sapphire’s Next Generation is kinder in many ways.

It’s kinder to construction, with the new design allowing for fewer journeys between the factory and the site, allowing for installers to connect the balcony remotely and allowing for greater aesthetic freedom.

It’s kinder to people. An ingrained quality control process in the form of our Passport® app means the end-user will never have to walk out onto a balcony that we’ve deemed anything less than up to our stringent standards.

It’s kinder to the planet. The Next Generation is the most sustainable suite of balconies we’ve ever designed. We’ve reduced the amount of material in the balcony itself and are making sure that any runoffs in the construction process are recycled for use in future balconies.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_carousel images=”13211,13212,13213,13214,13215″ notch=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]We’ve reduced the overall carbon in the Next Generation by 19% in stages A1-A5. We’ve optimised the engineering of our balcony Cassette® and introduced the new Clip-On anchor, meaning balcony moment forces back to the building can be reduced to as low as 4kNm and the option to eliminate penetrations of the façade.

That’s it. No greenwashing, no carbon credits, just a lighter, safer, kinder product with more possibilities than ever before that we’re proud to call the Next Generation.

Are you ready to be part of the future of construction? The Next Generation is here and can be specified for your residential project today.

Contact us to find out even more:[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]