Much of the change driven by housing affordability has been the introduction of medium density housing, most commonly 2-3 storey units with a deck for outdoor living and a greater sense of space. Social housing designs are naturally embracing these same principles and recently HomePlus Exteriors (SE Auckland) were involved in creating a balustrade solution for an inner-city complex with these design criteria:

• Cost-effective
• Robust
• Low maintenance
• No glass
• Safe and aesthetically pleasing

Quickly the HomePlus team noticed similarities between these and the security screen product criteria and so had a solution on hand — Clearguard’s hardened aluminium security screens. Working with their supplier (Juralco Aluminium), a fixing solution was engineered and tested, creating a brand new balustrade solution, Edge Lamerra.

These aluminium screens are virtually impenetrable and 1.6mm perforations are calculated to provide privacy when looking from the outside in, but are semi-translucent looking from the deck out. Client feedback about this dual feature has been especially positive, not only for the privacy they offer but also their ability to hide washing racks used on the decks, improving the tidiness and aesthetics of this multi-unit complex.

Deck balustrades were an important part of the resident’s living space, so everyone was conscious of providing safety, privacy and a sense of the space and the new Lamerra balustrade exceeded all expectations.

Powder coated in Dulux Flint (915748M)