- How Do You Clean a Glass Pool Fence?
Download our Nu-Lite Care and Maintenance Procedures Guide
- At what stage should I arrange for a free consultation/quotation?
In order to maintain the highest quality it is extremely important to get it right the first time. A free consultation/quotation in the early stages of basic construction will enable us to explain fixing details. We have to take into consideration: application of waterproof membrane, tiling, concrete, timber support, core drilling and concrete rebates. Waiting until everything is completed often requires lifting newly laid tiles (risking damage), penetration of waterproofing membranes and makes installation far more difficult and costly.
- Is it hard to keep the glass clean?
All products placed in an external environment require some form of cleaning & maintenance. Treating the glass with a wax such as those found in car wash detergents not only help keep your glass clean but also reduce the amount of times the glass needs to be cleaned. The glass can be cleaned with a bucket of hot soapy water (using a car wash detergent with a wax additive) and a soft bristled broom, hosed off and left to dry.
- What is the standard height of a balustrade?
Minimum height as stated in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) is 1000mm (1.0 metres) from the finished floor level on the balcony, terrace or landing and 865mm (0.865 metres) from any stair nose. At Nu-Lite we utilise the latest in laser level technology to take all measurements and generally make all balustrading 1020 – 1050mm to guarantee compliance and ensure that you balustrading conforms with this standard.
- What is the standard height of Pool Fencing and is making the fence higher safer?
The Minimum height for any pool fence is 1200mm from any ground surface. Any horizontal surfaces or protrusions within a 1200mm (1.2 metres) radius from the top of the fence greater than 10mm (half the size of a 5 cent piece) can constitute a foot hold therefore requiring removal of the protrusion or additional height in the fence to compensate. Under normal circumstances increasing the height of the pool fence can increase the safety aspect of your pool fencing but in reality the standard was developed with a 5 year old child in mind and no matter what height the pool fence is, older children will get over the fence if they want to and pool safety education for older children would be a better option.
- Are Nu-Lite products guaranteed?
Yes. Our guarantee covers all products, workmanship, fixtures and fittings for 7 Years. Nu-Lite is a quality company that will always try to look after our customers however we cannot guarantee the glass from breakage. A full explanation of our guarantee is provided in our standard terms & conditions.
- Do Nu-Lite products meet Australian Safety Standards?
Yes. All Nu-Lite products come under the category of a safety product. Balustrading stops you from falling off a building and Pool fencing stops children from drowning. All of our products are designed & installed to meet and exceed their safety standards. Our Products have been designed to comply with AS1170 Loading codes, AS1288 Glazing code and AS1926 Pool Enclosure code. Safety is paramount at Nu-Lite and we take it very seriously.
- Which is better; stainless steel or powder coated?
Although stainless steel has a luxurious and elegant appeal, it is more suited to an internal application where it can not be affected by the elements. All stainless steel products installed in an external application will tarnish over time and require some form of cleaning or maintenance. This surface rust, also known as Tea-Staining, does not affect the structural adequacy of the product used and tends to be accelerated in certain conditions such as coastal regions. Powder Coating on the other hand has over time and through newer technologies become a far better alternative for an external application. Standard Powder Coating finishes now come standard with a 7 year manufacturers warranty and in some cases can be procured with 15 – 25 year warranties. Powder Coating comes in many colours and can be cleaned very easily with a mild detergent in the same fashion as cleaning a car. Detergents with a wax additive such as car wash detergents can not only protect the painted surface but also help to keep the painted surface and glass cleaner for longer.
- Can you use 6mm Glass in semi frameless pool fencing?
In our opinion, No! Glass pool fencing has to comply with the requirement of AS1926 and although this standard does not reference the glass standard AS1288 it is in our opinion an oversight. Pool Fencing in general is covered under the Building Act 1993 which incorporates the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which references the glass standard AS1288 – Glass in buildings so therefore all fencing including Pool fencing is required to comply with the glass standard therefore making 6mm glass inadequate for use in a semi-frameless application unless of course posts spacing are reduced to 590mm apart, not exactly providing the appearance that most people expect from their glass pool fence.
- Are you dealing with a Registered Building Practitioner?
Why? As the construction of a balustrade or pool fencing is regulated by the building act 1993, it is a legal requirement that any project of this nature be carried out by a registered building practitioner. Using a registered building practitioner ensures that they have the experience, knowledge, qualifications and insurance required as well as meeting rigorous quality standards.
- Laminated v’s Toughened Glass, is Glass Safe?
With the changes to AS1288 we are limited to using Toughened glass in all balustrading applications. Both Laminated and toughened glass are both categorised as grade “A” safety glass. The main differences are that laminated glass when broken stays in one piece and toughened glass shatters into small pieces. The use of toughened glass in balustrading and pool fencing applications is far superior due the fact that size for size toughened glass is up to 5 times stronger than laminated glass therefore making it much harder to break. The down side is that in the extreme event that a panel should break it becomes very messy and potentially dangerous as the barrier no longer exists.
