Galvanised & Powder-Coated Glass Balustrade and Balcony — Sheffield (S35)
Dio-Met surveyed, designed, manufactured and installed a galvanised and powder-coated steel-and-glass balustrade to a large stone home on an exposed hillside site in Sheffield. The job wrapped a raised porcelain patio, a set of steps down to the garden, and a first-floor balcony, all in matching black steel and clear glass. We used our Powder-Coated Glass Balustrade (System 10), which is hot-dip galvanised and then powder-coated for the toughest, longest-lasting finish, the right choice for a big, weather-exposed property.
Project overview
- Client: Private (residential)
- Location: Sheffield (S35)
- System: System 10 galvanised and powder-coated steel and glass balustrade
- Posts: 48mm diameter steel tube
- Handrail: 42mm diameter steel tube
- Glass: 10mm toughened clear glass infill
- Patio balustrade: Base-fixed on core-drilled, concrete-fixed posts, with Ø125mm cover roses, plus a separate stair section
- Balcony: Side-fixed to the structure on Ø150mm fixing plates
- Finish: Hot-dip galvanised then powder-coated black
- Certification: Manufactured to BS EN 1090-2, execution class EXC2, in S275 steel, UKCA marked
- Scope: Survey, design, manufacture and installation
The brief
This is a substantial stone house on a high, open site with long views over the valley, so the balustrade had to do two things at once: guard the raised patio and balcony safely, and keep those views as clear as possible. It also had to last. On an exposed hillside, a standard painted finish would not hold up, so the client wanted the most durable system we make. System 10 was the answer, with clear glass infill to protect the outlook and a galvanised-then-powder-coated steel frame built to shrug off the weather.
Design and installation
Dio-Met surveyed the site and produced the drawings in-house, then fabricated the balustrade in our Sheffield workshops to BS EN 1090-2, execution class EXC2, in S275 steel. The frame uses 48mm diameter posts with a 42mm diameter tubular handrail and 10mm toughened clear glass infill panels.
Around the raised patio, the posts are base-fixed: core-drilled and concrete-fixed down into the structure for a solid, permanent hold, then finished with Ø125mm cover roses for a clean base detail. The run is set out around the patio with a gap left for a gate and a separate matching stair section down to the garden. The first-floor balcony is side-fixed instead, on Ø150mm plates fixed to the face of the structure.
The finish is what makes System 10 the workhorse of the range. Every steel component is hot-dip galvanised first, then powder-coated black over the top. The galvanising protects the steel from the inside out, and the powder coat gives the colour and a second barrier against the weather, so it stands up to an exposed site with almost no maintenance. The whole installation, patio, steps and balcony, is finished in the same black to tie the property together.
Expert insight
"On an exposed site like this, the finish is everything. Galvanising and then powder-coating, rather than one or the other, is belt and braces: the galv protects the steel and the powder coat gives you the colour and a second skin. It is why System 10 is what we reach for on big external jobs that have to last."
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between galvanised and powder-coated, and why both? Galvanising is a zinc coating that protects the steel from corrosion. Powder-coating is a tough coloured finish. On System 10 we do both: hot-dip galvanise the steel first, then powder-coat over it. That gives the best of both, long-term corrosion protection plus the colour, which is ideal for exposed external balustrades.
What does core-drilled and concrete-fixed mean? For the patio, we drill into the structural slab or wall and set the posts in on a concrete/resin fix, rather than surface-mounting them on base plates. It gives a very solid, permanent fixing, and we finish it with a cover rose so the base looks clean. Our glass balustrade building regulations guide covers the loading and fixing requirements.
Is a steel and glass balustrade building-regulation compliant? Yes. The steelwork is fabricated to BS EN 1090-2 at execution class EXC2 in S275 steel and UKCA marked, with the glass and heights designed to meet the guarding regulations. Our glass balustrade building regulations guide sets out the requirements.
Can you match the patio balustrade, steps and balcony? Yes. As here, we make the whole scheme, patio run, stair section and balcony, in one matching finish, fixed the right way for each location (base-fixed on the patio, side-fixed on the balcony).
Do you cover large and commercial projects? Yes. We handle full survey, design, manufacture and installation for large residential and commercial schemes, all made in our Sheffield factory. Get in touch to discuss yours.
Explore more from Dio-Met
Related products
- Powder-Coated Glass Balustrade (System 10)
- Galvanised Steel Glass Balustrade (System 9)
- Metal & Glass Balustrades
- Walk-Out Balconies
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Helpful guides
Planning a balustrade or balcony for an exposed or large site?
If you have a raised patio, terrace or balcony that needs a durable steel-and-glass balustrade built to last outdoors, we survey, design, make and fit to suit, anywhere in the UK. Call us on 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk, or request a quote online.
Tags: powder-coated glass balustrade, galvanised glass balustrade, System 10 balustrade, core drilled balustrade, steel and glass balustrade, glass balcony balustrade, patio balustrade Sheffield, external balustrade, BS EN 1090 balustrade, Dio-Met
