Clearview National February 2020 - Issue 219 | Page 64

HARDWARE Taking the hard to install out of glass hardware » WITH TRENDS IN DOOR AND window hardware having a big effect on the overall look and feel of a building, what are the key looks that installers might find themselves working with and just how easy are they to fit? Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL Europe, takes a look. With glass being an increasingly popular material for use on external and internal projects, the hardware that holds it all together must look the part as well as ease installation. This is because the finish and style of hardware chosen can make a huge difference to the look and feel of the entire project and this is why we are seeing some key trends emerging in this market, which are now being seen across all types of commercial and residential situations, from office blocks to apartment buildings. A major trend in hardware design currently is towards finishes other than chrome. Matte black, for example, makes a sophisticated and elegant statement that is bold but also timeless. While light colours have always been a popular way of reflecting light and creating a sense of spaciousness, there is now a shift towards dark, ambient shades, and black in particular. Like chrome before it, matte black offers a huge level of versatility, enabling it to be specified for virtually any situation. This is a finish that sits well in any setting and works in harmony with a wide range of materials and finishes. Giving installers the opportunity to offer customers a greater choice when selecting door hardware, matte black creates a minimal look, which is another key trend in terms of architectural hardware. The lean towards alternative finishes is particularly prevalent in bathroom design, with shower hardware now available in this latest striking matte black finish. Increasingly being seen on brassware, this finish is now filtering through to shower and door hardware including 64 » F EB 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M CRL offers hardware in a range of finishes, including sophisticated Matte Black, from partition systems to hinges and hydraulic patch fittings. hinges, support bars and door knobs, creating a harmonious look throughout the bathroom. On a practical note, a matte finish offers a fingerprint and smudge-resistant alternative to polished surfaces such as chrome and stainless steel, another reason for its aesthetic appeal. The ‘barely there’ approach to design that is being seen in commercial and residential projects currently, with the frameless look refusing to be ignored, lends itself particularly well to the addition of matte black as a hardware finish. Glass partitions and balustrades too, are increasingly being specified for open-plan office environments and public buildings, creating a high-end aesthetic look while also being a highly practical way of creating a bright, spacious environment. For installers, it is important that such hardware is straightforward to fit, with minimal downtime and minimal mess. A dry-glazed system, for example, keeps disruption to a minimum throughout installation and any future maintenance. Such systems will not only make installation straightforward, the end result will be a feeling of openness and light that is in character with the ethos of the entire building. Specifiers working on Dundee’s Olympia Pool were able to achieve exactly this by working CRL’s TAPER-LOC System was used at Dundee’s new swimming and leisure complex to create a beautiful frameless balustrade. The clean lines of the balustrade solution offered a simple but effective method to enclose the different types of seating and staircase arrangements. with suitable architectural hardware. Speedy and simple installation of a new glass balustrade system was required at the new swimming and leisure complex, to enable the pool to be viewed from the building’s upper levels and creating the feeling of light and space. A dry wall system for installation of the glass balustrade meant there was no need for wet cement and it can be adjusted, dismantled and re-set easily and efficiently, which also makes the system ideal for replacing scratched and broken panels. For more details call 01706 863600, email [email protected], or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk