Manchester construction boom features trend in glass hardware
Manchester construction continues to flourish with more commercial developments announced for the city.
Two more skyscrapers are planned for high-rise builder Renaker’s Great Jackson Street site in Manchester city centre. They will accommodate 490 private flats as well as a residents’ lounge and gym. This follows on from the four towers, each of 39 to 60 storeys, at Trinity Islands in Deansgate.
Plans for a 15 storey apartment block in Manchester’s Piccadilly East area have been approved. Known as The Ferrous, the project is for 107 rental flats close to Piccadilly Station.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited St Michael’s city centre, 9 storey office building development to include a new public square and a rooftop restaurant for 900 guests, with views across Manchester, is expected to be completed by 2024.
These are just a few examples of Manchester building developments that also include a net zero office project, infrastructure works and the Boddingtons brewery homes scheme. The continual flow of new towers, residential and commercial buildings being planned and built is indicative of the trajectory of Manchester construction and the overall development of the city.
GlassParts supply glass fittings and tools. Glass in buildings has become very on-trend and we see this extensively across all projects. The drawings for St Michael’s, for example, show 7 glass-fronted floors of office and social space, with the open-top floors protected by glass balustrading.
For interior design, glass hardware also continues to trend. Glass balustrades, shower enclosures and glass canopies feature heavily in GlassParts’ work on Manchester building projects.
Glass balustrades
Glass balustrade systems are used for a variety of applications both internally and externally. Glass balustrades allow for the projection of natural light through a room. Using a glass balustrade on a staircase and landing gives a sense of space and allows for the natural light from upstairs to filter down the staircase and into the hallway.
Outside, glass balustrades are a design-led substitute for traditional walls and fences. They can be used as safety barriers for pets or children, or to simply segregate areas of the outside space. Either way they extend the view of a garden and bring light into the back of the house.
Balcony systems such as juliette balconies use glass balustrading to create a virtually invisible security barrier that looks clean and sleek and doesn’t block the view of the outdoors.
Frameless glass balustrades are the ultimate choice for stylish fittings that provide a seamless view both internally and externally while also providing safety against falling.
Glass shower enclosures
Glass shower enclosures can be frameless or framed. Both options can be used for high quality shower enclosures and wet rooms, but frameless glass shower enclosures are currently the contemporary choice.
Frameless shower hardware is increasingly preferred over the maintenance and look of metal frames. Without frames, the design and composition of frameless glass shower enclosures has more flexibility to create bespoke installations. Frameless glass shower enclosures are also more cost-effective. A popular choice for frameless shower hardware is the Cascade Sliding Shower Door System.
Glass canopies
A glass canopy is designed to provide shelter from the elements on both domestic and commercial buildings. They can be positioned outside front or back doors of houses, over shop doors and outside offices. Larger glass canopies can also be used for outside waiting areas.
Glass canopies are increasingly preferred to other materials such as fabric or plastic because they are more durable, easy to clean and they look good for longer.
Can we help?
To find out more about the GlassParts’ range of glass hardware go to our website, contact us using our online form or call us on 0800 975 3436.