Project Portfolio: Raised Balcony, Glass Balustrade and Spiral Staircase, Northampton, NN4
Project Overview
Client: Paul
Location: Northampton, NN4
Scope: Full survey, design, fabrication and installation of a complete first floor balcony system including structural steel balcony platform, composite decking surface, stainless steel glass balustrade perimeter and spiral staircase garden access
Balcony System: Walk Out Balcony with Glass Balustrade — bespoke structural steel platform with composite decking, designed, fabricated and installed by Dio-Met
Balustrade: Stainless Steel Glass Balustrade System 1
Staircase: Third party spiral staircase kit, customised and installed by Dio-Met
Setting: Lakeside residential property, Northampton NN4
The Project: A Complete Balcony System from Nothing
Paul's property near Northampton overlooks a private lake and open grounds — a genuinely impressive outlook that the first floor French doors did nothing to exploit. The doors opened onto a drop with no platform, no balustrade and no garden access.
Dio-Met was commissioned to design and deliver the complete solution from scratch. That meant fabricating and installing a structural steel balcony platform cantilevered from the building, laying the composite decking surface, installing a full perimeter stainless steel and glass balustrade, and connecting the whole structure to the garden below via a spiral staircase. This was a full walkout balcony installation project, not simply a balustrade fit.
If you are considering a walkout balcony for your property — whether from scratch or adding a balustrade to an existing structure — Dio-Met can manage the complete scope from initial survey through to handover.
The Balcony Platform and Composite Decking
The balcony structure was designed and fabricated in our Sheffield workshop to sit flush with the first floor door threshold, creating a level transition from the interior to the outdoor terrace. The structural steel framework was hot dip galvanized prior to powder coating, providing long term corrosion protection appropriate for an exposed first floor installation.
The decking surface specified was composite, chosen for its low maintenance requirements and resistance to weathering compared to natural timber, which would require regular treatment to maintain in an exposed position. The composite boards were laid in a linear pattern across the full width of the platform, with a clean perimeter edge detail that allowed the balustrade posts to be surface fixed to the structural steel frame below.
The combination of composite decking and stainless steel balustrade gives the terrace a contemporary finish that suits the property without requiring ongoing maintenance beyond an occasional wash down.
The Balustrade: Stainless Steel and Glass System 1
For the perimeter balustrade Dio-Met specified and installed our System 1 stainless steel glass balustrade — a brushed stainless steel post and top rail system with toughened glass infill panels. This system is one of our most popular choices for residential terraces and balconies for several reasons:
Unobstructed views. The toughened glass infill panels preserve the lake and garden views that make the terrace worth having. A metal infill or timber rail would have significantly reduced the visual impact of the outlook.
Low maintenance. Grade 316 brushed stainless steel requires no painting and handles exposed outdoor conditions without corrosion.
Structural compliance. The system meets BS6180 loading requirements for external domestic balustrades at 1100mm height, providing a compliant and structurally sound perimeter for a raised first floor platform.
The balustrade wraps the full perimeter of the terrace including the corner junction with the spiral staircase access point, requiring careful post positioning to maintain structural continuity at the transition between the two systems.
Technical Insight: Mixing Systems on a Single Project
On a project like Paul's, where a bespoke fabricated balcony balustrade meets a third party spiral staircase, the interface between the two systems requires careful thought. The spiral staircase landing plate sits within the balustrade line, which means the top rail and post positions on the balustrade had to be designed around the staircase geometry rather than set out independently.
Getting this junction right on paper before fabrication is essential – adjusting it on site is significantly more difficult and risks compromising either the structural integrity of the balustrade or the safe operation of the staircase. This is why the survey stage on a combined balcony and staircase project is as important as the fabrication itself.
The Spiral Staircase: A Practical Cost Saving
Paul's brief included a requirement to keep the overall project cost as manageable as possible while maintaining quality on the primary balcony and balustrade elements. One area where a practical saving was available was the spiral staircase.
Rather than commissioning a fully bespoke fabricated spiral staircase from our Sheffield workshop, Dio-Met sourced a quality third party spiral staircase kit on Paul's behalf, customised the landing connection detail to interface correctly with the balcony platform, and installed the complete assembly.
This approach delivered a functional, good looking staircase at a materially lower cost than a fully bespoke alternative. Paul was fully informed that the third party spiral staircase would not carry Dio-Met's own UKCA certification to BS1090-2, which applies exclusively to steelwork we design and fabricate ourselves. The balcony structure and balustrade system remain fully UKCA certified as standard.
For customers requiring a fully certified, structurally engineered spiral staircase — for building regulation compliance, commercial use, or simply where the staircase is a primary architectural feature rather than a secondary access route — we design and fabricate bespoke spiral staircases to order in our Sheffield workshop. The kit approach used here is a practical option where budget is a priority and the staircase requirement is straightforward residential garden access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dio-Met supply and install a complete balcony platform as well as the balustrade? Yes. We offer a full service from initial survey through to completed installation, including structural steel balcony platforms, composite or timber decking surfaces, balustrade systems and staircase access. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.
What is the difference between a bespoke and a kit spiral staircase? A bespoke spiral staircase is designed and fabricated specifically for your project in our Sheffield workshop, fully UKCA certified to BS1090-2 and built to your exact dimensions and finish specification. A kit spiral staircase is a pre-engineered modular system assembled on site, usually much lighter weight and for lower usage and available at lower cost but without our own structural certification. We can supply and install either option depending on your requirements and budget, and will advise on which is appropriate at survey stage.
Does a new first floor balcony require building regulations approval? Generally yes. A new balcony structure attached to a dwelling will typically require building regulations approval under Part A (structure) and Part K (protection from falling). We can advise on the structural specification to support your building control application, though formal approval is the responsibility of the client and their appointed building control body.
Do you install balconies nationwide? Yes. Dio-Met surveys, fabricates and installs balconies, balustrades and staircases across the UK from our Sheffield base. Travel and accommodation costs for distant locations are discussed transparently at quotation stage.
What maintenance does a stainless steel and glass balustrade require? Very little. An occasional wash down with warm soapy water is sufficient for routine maintenance. Avoid abrasive cleaners on the stainless steel surfaces. The glass can be cleaned with standard glass cleaner. We recommend an annual check of post fixings on any outdoor balustrade installation.
Explore More From Dio-Met
If you are planning a balcony, terrace or staircase project you may also find these pages useful:
- Walk Out Balcony with Glass Balustrade - the balcony system used on this project
- Stainless Steel Glass Balustrade System 1 - the balustrade system used on this project
- Bespoke Spiral Staircase - fully certified bespoke spiral staircases from our Sheffield workshop
- Walkout Balconies and Juliet Balconies - full range of walkout balcony systems
- Glass Balustrade Systems - full range of framed and frameless options
- Bespoke Balcony Systems - for non-standard balcony requirements
- Walk Out Balcony and Spiral Staircase, Woodford Green - similar combined project case study
- External Steel Staircase and Balustrade, Cheltenham - further staircase and balustrade project
Planning a Similar Project?
Whether you need a complete balcony installation from survey to handover, or just the balustrade to an existing structure, Dio-Met can help. We design, fabricate and install nationwide from our Sheffield factory.
View our Walk Out Balcony Range
View our Bespoke Spiral Staircases
Phone: 0114 243 9009 Email: sales@diometonline.co.uk
Tags: raised balcony Northampton, glass balustrade Northampton, spiral staircase Northampton, composite decking balcony, stainless steel glass balustrade, balcony installation NN4, spiral staircase installation, walkout balcony Northampton, balcony with staircase UK, bespoke balcony Northamptonshire
