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