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Tag: variation
How do Tie-Rod balconies work?
[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]What is a tie-rod? Tie-rod design is the process of attaching supporting metal rods between the balcony and façade to secure the Cassette in place. Simplicity is key – great benefits can be found in a simple tie-rod design.
Keeping things simple is a joy. The simplicity of a good book, an early night’s rest or a hot bath are some of the most often reported joys in our personal lives. This simple delight can and should be extended to our professional lives – if satisfaction can be found in construction, it will be found in tie-rod design.
Tie-rods are a smart method of connecting a balcony Cassette® to the building’s façade. By using tie-rods between the far-projecting corners of the balcony and the building, the overall force on the balcony anchors can be reduced as well as increased thermal protection.
Connections for tie-rods
Beyond just reducing force on the balcony anchor, the tie-rod design is versatile in that it can be connected to just about any type of façade. Early consultation is key here – Anchors would normally need to be considered well in advance of a series of balconies being designed, let alone installed, as they would need either casting at the same time as the slabs between floors or would need casting into a precast façade.
Tie-rod anchors are smaller by design as the force is carried mostly by the tie-wire connection to the building itself. These smaller connections can easily be fixed through small penetrations into the slab, the building’s façade at balustrade level or even set into a balcony above.
Tie-rod anchors
As previously mentioned, a smaller anchor is needed for a tie-rod design due to most of the moment of the balcony being taken by the tie-rod itself. Due to the smaller anchors, less penetration is needed into the façade. With less penetration comes less risk of thermal bridging, making tie-rod anchors a very sensible choice from a thermal perspective.
Utilising the thermal bridging-averse properties of smaller anchors is excellent for colder or even more moderate climates like Northern Europe or Canada. This makes for a future-proofed and sustainable solution for each area.
Designing the costs out of balconies is crucial for your project – a simplified design can reduce labour costs, improve production efficiency and reduce material waste. Cost reduction through tie-rod design does not mean you have to sacrifice the features that are important in order to hit budgets. Find out more by downloading our whitepaper:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLinkBottom image=”10854″ heading=”Designing the costs out of balconies – Whitepaper” button_text=”Download” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fwhite-papers%2Fhow-to-design-the-costs-out-of-balconies-whitepaper%2F|target:_blank|rel:nofollow”]Download our whitepaper on designing the costs out of balconies.[/sapphire_contentLinkBottom][sapphire_textBlock]
Beaumont Court & Richmond House – Case study
We’re no stranger to using tie-rods as a simple yet elegant solution for our balconies. One project that we are proud to have used a tie-rod design on was Beaumont Court and Richmond House – a renovation of an existing building, meaning anchors could not be cast into the slab. Our dedicated design team made the intelligent decision to use tie-rods to connect to an already existing façade, achieving a high level of rigidity without needing to know the exact strength of the existing floor.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”12197″ heading=”Beaumont Court & Richmond House – Case Study” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fcase-studies%2Fbeaumont-court-and-richmond-house%2F|title:Beaumont%20Court%20and%20Richmond%20House” double_height=””]Read all about how we’ve used tie-rods as a simple but elegant solution on our previous projects.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][sapphire_textBlock]Simplicity is key. By allowing connections to many parts of a façade, to pre-existing facades or by reducing the risk of thermal bridging, your project can be simple. Why not get in touch with us today to find out how Sapphire can streamline your development:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”4239″ heading=”Is Simplicity the Solution?” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Findustry-news%2Fis-simplicity-the-solution%2F|title:Is%20Simplicity%20the%20Solution%3F%20Ask%20The%20Expert” double_height=””]We ask our expert Lee Goodenough whether simplicity is the solution when designing and streamlining your development.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/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]
Glide-On Variation: Connecting to CLT brackets
[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Building in residential areas can be costly if the correct considerations are not taken into place at an early stage, but by connecting to cross-laminated timber (CLT), these costs can be easily reduced. Connecting to CLT brackets is a sustainable building frame solution, popular due to its flexibility for design, cost on smaller projects and environmental benefits.
What is CLT?
CLT is created by glueing together layers of solid-sawn lumber from a single log. By glueing together layers of wood at the right angles, CLT can achieve better structural rigidity than regular timber in both vertical and horizontal directions.
The benefits of CLT
The benefits of CLT are numerous. CLT offers a prefabricated material that is incredibly flexible for building design – including CLT in a building’s design from an early stage is beneficial as it can result in shorter installation times therefore reducing the cost of labour on-site if planned well. Furthermore, the fire performance of CLT is very good, as it is fire-rated and compliant for ongoing use. Whilst reinforced concrete (RC) frames are the conventional option due to the perceived rigidity of the product, some companies suggest that CLT can be favourable over RC frames as it is 20-30% faster to install, so can reduce labour on-site.
How to connect to CLT
As CLT is a relatively light building material, the foundations do not need to be as large, and the machinery required on-site can be much smaller. 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. Many connections, such as our innovative Glide-On Cassette solution, can be used as the structural integrity of the frame can be maintained even with the heavier steel anchor arms.
Connecting to CLT brackets has its advantages thanks to its sustainable properties, being considerably cheaper to construct with than reinforced concrete if used correctly and can reduce time spent on site as well as machinery and labour costs. It is possible to connect many kinds of balcony anchors to a CLT bracket, such as tie-rod, our innovative Glide-On Cassette solution, or our upcoming ultra-low carbon anchor solution.
To learn more about building and connecting with CLT brackets, get in touch with our Sales team or read about how we’ve connected to CLT frames at the Woodberry Down 1B development:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”11787″ heading=”Woodberry Down 2B – Case Study” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fcase-studies%2Fwoodberry-down-1b%2F|title:Woodberry%20Down%20Phase%202%20Block%20B|target:_blank”]Read more about our Woodberry Down project and how we used CLT to great effect.[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]
What’s the benefit of the Remote Locker Device?
[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column]
Innovation is one of the core principles of Sapphire’s existence. ‘Innovation to prosper the Community’ is a belief we have held strongly onto since our founding in 1992 and we continue to innovate to this day. Therefore, the use of our automated Remote Locker Device (RLD) across global projects has been paramount to success.
The Remote Locker Device is an automated installation tool, no bigger than a toolbox, which allows for the installation of a balcony in a safe and cost-effective manner. The RLD is fixed onto a prefabricated balcony over preinstalled arms within the balcony Cassette®, the building arms already installed. The RLD then allows an installer to fix the arms to the stubs via radio. Finally, the remaining bolts can be safely fixed, and the RLD can be removed, without a harness being needed.
Why is innovation important?
Sapphire has always endeavoured to innovate within the construction industry. With mass timber, unitized facades and precast walls becoming increasingly popular, the Remote Locker Device brings a modern method of construction to the balcony business. By being a forward-thinking, modern company, we can change with the industry as opposed to constantly catching up to it. The world of construction is ever-changing, so working with a 21st-century mindset is incredibly beneficial.
The Remote Locker Device is another of Sapphire’s inventions which has been patented due to the novel and inventive nature of the concept.
Is Remote Locker Device safer to install?
The Remote Locker Device has significant health and safety benefits as it removes the need to harness a worker to the building for installation, as the fixing of the balcony to the building can be done via a radio controller. Our innovative Remote Locker Device is battery-operated and charged on-site so once the Remote Locker is operational, the safety benefits are instantly tangible.
How can I save money with the Remote Locker Device?
Thanks to the design of the Remote Locker Device, the balcony arms are installed within the Cassette® inside the factory. This comes with cost benefits at two major junctions. Firstly, time spent is reduced at the arm installation stage, as no stub arms will need to be fit onto the building’s façade at a later point. Secondly, labour costs will be reduced as the arms are already fitted inside the balcony, so less time will be needed to fit a two-piece arm onto the stub bracket.
Cost improvements often marry well with sustainability too – by using an innovative installation technique, the time spent on site can be reduced and so too will the carbon emissions present in longer installations, where workers must travel to and from a site each day.
Transforming the way balconies are installed has always been at the forefront of Sapphire’s ethos. By improving safety during the installation phase, we can improve costs, spend less time on site and work more sustainably as a result. To find out more about how we strive to innovate, read more here.
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What’s the benefit of the Remote Locker Device?
[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Innovation is one of the core principles of Sapphire’s existence. ‘Innovation to prosper the Community’ is a belief we have held strongly onto since our founding in 1992 and we continue to innovate to this day. Therefore, the use of our automated Remote Locker Device (RLD) across global projects has been paramount to success.
The Remote Locker Device is an automated installation tool, no bigger than a toolbox, which allows for the installation of a balcony in a safe and cost-effective manner. The RLD is fixed onto a prefabricated balcony over preinstalled arms within the balcony Cassette®, the building arms already installed. The RLD then allows an installer to fix the arms to the stubs via radio. Finally, the remaining bolts can be safely fixed, and the RLD can be removed, without a harness being needed.
Why is innovation important?
Sapphire has always endeavoured to innovate within the construction industry. With mass timber, unitized facades and precast walls becoming increasingly popular, the Remote Locker Device brings a modern method of construction to the balcony business. By being a forward-thinking, modern company, we can change with the industry as opposed to constantly catching up to it. The world of construction is ever-changing, so working with a 21st-century mindset is incredibly beneficial.
The Remote Locker Device is another of Sapphire’s inventions which has been patented due to the novel and inventive nature of the concept.
Is Remote Locker Device safer to install?
The Remote Locker Device has significant health and safety benefits as it removes the need to harness a worker to the building for installation, as the fixing of the balcony to the building can be done via a radio controller. Our innovative Remote Locker Device is battery-operated and charged on-site so once the Remote Locker is operational, the safety benefits are instantly tangible.
How can I save money with the Remote Locker Device?
Thanks to the design of the Remote Locker Device, the balcony arms are installed within the Cassette® inside the factory. This comes with cost benefits at two major junctions. Firstly, time spent is reduced at the arm installation stage, as no stub arms will need to be fit onto the building’s façade at a later point. Secondly, labour costs will be reduced as the arms are already fitted inside the balcony, so less time will be needed to fit a two-piece arm onto the stub bracket.
Cost improvements often marry well with sustainability too – by using an innovative installation technique, the time spent on site can be reduced and so too will the carbon emissions present in longer installations, where workers must travel to and from a site each day.
Transforming the way balconies are installed has always been at the forefront of Sapphire’s ethos. By improving safety during the installation phase, we can improve costs, spend less time on site and work more sustainably as a result. To find out more about how we strive to innovate, read more here.[/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]