Juralco Viking Balustrade Evolution - Keeping Up With NZ Regulations

Keeping up with NZ Building Regulation Changes 

*This is an updated version of an older article

Deck barriers have evolved beyond the timber handrails of old, with increasing performance requirements in the NZ Building Code there is a move to the more dependable, lower maintenance materials such as aluminium, stainless steel and glass. These materials also provide versatility around style with an unlimited colour palette, along with innovation in glass such as sandblasting, tinting or screen printing that can be incorporated into the design. 

Juralco’s Viking aluminium post system when it was introduced into the market led the way in balustrade evolution and continues to be a popular system and exceeds expectations and requirements. Originally available with baluster rail infill only, it was quickly joined by toughened glass panel options which didn’t take long to become a customer favourite.

For this Viking balustrade installation, the client embraced a range of materials for different areas and ultimately achieved a stunning-looking barrier, that is practical and good-looking. Glass balustrade was fitted on the top deck, with clever use of frosted glass on the areas that the customer wanted privacy on as were most exposed to public viewing. The panel at the end of the deck return nearest the main door uses a clear glass panel so the lakeside view is kept clear.  As a bach, the main stairs have been embraced as a feature and colour added by the baluster railing finish. Wooden balusters were never an option with this holiday home, because of the higher maintenance demands including regular painting and touch-ups.

Viking Fully Framed Glass Balustrade

Viking has had many additional enhancements over these years including the introduction of waterproof and floating deck fixings, special connectors for direct fixing onto concrete posts and Handrails for balustrades to cover even more situations. This alongside price decreases for toughened glass as demand for this glass increases, has naturally made it a more viable option for customers, to the point where it is competitively priced cost per sq m2 against a baluster infill finish. As always, the entire Viking system continues to be engineered and tested to fulfil, and even exceed, NZ building code requirements.  

Viking Split Rail Baluster Balustrade

Being fabricated from aluminium means it can be easily powder coated in the customer's preferred colour of choice, usually to match the home's joinery. Aluminium meets the durability requirements of the NZ Building Code and additionally, the powder coating process is done in our Auckland and Christchurch facilities, using Dulux products with a 15 to 25-year surface coating warranty depending on the finish.

Viking balustrade continues to be a well-loved handrail and balustrade option, keeping up the building regulations and modern enhancements, whilst still being a cost-effective and handsome barrier for decks and balconies.