Project Portfolio: Coastal Safety Balustrades (Cardoness, Scotland)

Project Overview

Location: Cardoness Caravan Park, Scotland (Coastal)

System: Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel with Toughened & Laminated Glass

Compliance: BS 6180:2011 Structural Loading Standards

Features: Marine-grade finishes and 1.8m frosted privacy screening.

Safety Without Compromise: The Cardoness Lodge Project

For this lodge in the beautiful but demanding coastal environment of Cardoness, Dio-Met was commissioned to provide a balustrade system that surpassed the standard (and often non-compliant) installations found in many holiday parks. Our focus was twofold: Absolute Fall Protection and Marine-Grade Durability.

• The Laminated Safety Advantage: While many nearby lodges utilize 10mm toughened glass, this fails to meet BS 6180 requirements for barriers without a continuous handrail. If single-layer toughened glass breaks, the barrier vanishes. Our toughened and laminated glass utilizes a safety interlayer that holds the glass in place even if shattered, maintaining a vital life-safety barrier—essential for families with children and pets.

• Mirror-Polished vs. Satin Finish: Coastal salt air is brutal on metalwork. We supplied mirror-polished stainless steel, which has a smoother surface than the common "satin" finish. This microscopic smoothness prevents salt and contaminants from "pitting" the metal, making it the only viable low-maintenance choice for a holiday home or Airbnb rental in a marine environment.

• Integrated Privacy: We utilized the same laminated technology with a white "opal" interlayer for the side elevations. This created 1.8m high frosted privacy screens that satisfy local planning overlooks while remaining structurally unified with the rest of the balcony.

Technical Expert Insight: Why 10mm Toughened Glass Fails BS 6180

A common and dangerous misconception in the caravan and lodge industry is that 10mm toughened glass is "enough." Under British Standard BS 6180, if a glass panel is used as a structural barrier without a protective redundant handrail on top, it must be laminated. If a standard 10mm toughened panel breaks (due to nickel-sulfide inclusion or accidental impact), it disintegrates into small pebbles, leaving a dangerous void. In a holiday park setting where children may be playing near the edge, this is an unacceptable risk. By using laminated glass, Dio-Met ensures that if one layer fails, the interlayer keeps the panel upright and the barrier intact until a replacement can be fitted. Structural safety should never be sacrificed for a cheaper quote.

Bespoke Metalwork for Any Environment

From the industrial heart of Sheffield to the coastal lodges of Scotland, Dio-Met provides engineering that lasts a lifetime. Whether you are a park developer or a private lodge owner, we offer the UKCA-certified expertise required to keep your guests safe and your maintenance costs low.

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• Get a Coastal-Ready Quote: Call 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk.