CASE STUDY
Dolphin Quay
Products used
Sieger Entrance Doors, Sieger Slim Sliding Doors, Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors, Aluminium Casement Windows and Doors, Frameless Glass Balustrades, Gable End Windows
Location
Emsworth, Hampshire
Completion date
Project Overview
Marine-grade glazing in Emsworth was specified across two contemporary waterfront houses within the six-home Dolphin Quay development. Positioned beside Mill Pond, the properties use large areas of slim aluminium glazing to capture daylight and water views while responding to an exposed coastal setting.
Sieger Systems supplied a coordinated package of entrance doors, slim sliding doors, bifold doors, aluminium casement windows and doors, gable end glazing and frameless glass balustrades. Pre-anodised aluminium frames with a dark grey polyester powder-coated finish connect the glazing with the metal facade, timber cladding and grey brick used across the two modern homes.
Project Challenges
Marine-grade glazing in Emsworth within a sensitive waterfront site
Dolphin Quay is located within a conservation area, in Flood Zone 3 and close to three listed buildings. The development therefore needed to introduce two clearly contemporary homes without disrupting the established character of the waterside setting or the neighbouring traditional architecture.
The two modern houses occupy the edge of Mill Pond and overlook an industrial boatyard. Their material palette was developed around that context, combining a wraparound metal facade, timber cladding and grey brick rather than brighter or more visually dominant finishes.
The glazing package had to maximise water views and daylight while remaining consistent with this restrained architecture. It also needed to provide garden and balcony access, ventilation, guarding and secure entrance points across several elevations.
Coastal exposure introduced a further specification challenge. The aluminium systems required enhanced protection against salt-laden air, while the glass specification needed to preserve clear views across the quay and reduce distracting reflections.
Slim aluminium openings, gable glazing and frameless guarding
Sieger Slim Sliding Doors were used across the contemporary waterfront elevations to create large glazed openings with reduced frame sightlines. The systems allow living spaces to connect directly with terraces and external areas while maintaining views when the doors are closed.
Aluminium bifold doors were introduced where a more fully openable aperture was required. Sieger casement windows and doors provide additional access and controlled ventilation across the houses, while secure Sieger entrance doors establish the primary approach to each property.
Shaped gable end windows extend the glazing into the roof peaks, addressing the risk of the upper spaces becoming visually enclosed and allowing daylight to follow the geometry of the architecture. On the external balconies, frameless glass balustrades provide guarding without introducing solid barriers across the water views.
Selected glazing elements use low-iron and anti-reflective glass to improve clarity and reduce the visual presence of the glass. All slim aluminium frames were pre-anodised before receiving a dark grey polyester powder-coated finish, improving protection in the marine environment while coordinating with the external facade materials.
IQ Glass, Sieger Systems’ glazing partner, provided the design and installation service, coordinating the different door, window, balustrade and gable glazing systems with the building interfaces.
Project Highlight
The glazing package combines pre-anodised, dark grey aluminium frames with selected low-iron and anti-reflective glass. This specification protects the systems in the exposed waterfront setting while allowing the sliding doors, gable windows and balcony glazing to retain clear views across Mill Pond.
End Result
Performance considerations
The performance strategy for the marine-grade glazing in Emsworth was led by coastal durability, weather resistance, security and visual clarity. Pre-anodising the aluminium before applying the dark grey powder-coated finish provides an additional protective stage for frames exposed to salt-laden air.
The slim sliding systems provide tested resistance to air infiltration, driving rain and wind loading while maintaining 20mm vertical junctions. Their large glazed areas increase daylight and external views without requiring heavier mullions across the waterfront elevations.
Frameless glass balustrades provide the required guarding to the balconies while retaining light transmission and visibility. Selected low-iron glass reduces the natural green tint associated with standard clear glass, while anti-reflective glazing helps improve views through key apertures.
The entrance doors, bifold doors and casement systems address access and ventilation in different parts of the houses. Using a coordinated aluminium finish across these products allows the complete glazing package to read as one considered component of the external envelope.
Sieger’s conclusion
Dolphin Quay demonstrates how marine-grade glazing in Emsworth can support contemporary waterfront architecture within a conservation area. The combination of slim sliding doors, bifold openings, gable windows, casement glazing and frameless balustrades responds to coastal exposure without compromising daylight or views.
This approach is suited to architects and developers working on coastal residential schemes where several aluminium glazing systems must be coordinated with planning constraints, exposed site conditions and a carefully controlled material palette.
To discuss a comparable waterfront development, contact Sieger Systems for technical advice on marine-grade finishes, sliding and bifold configurations, aluminium windows, gable glazing and frameless balustrades.
Marine-grade protection across exposed aluminium framing
Clear water views through slim and specialist glazing
Balcony guarding without solid visual barriers
Coordinated dark grey finish across multiple systems
Technical specifications
| Sieger Slim Sliding Door | 20mm vertical junction sightline, glass thickness up to 30mm, sliding panes up to 2500mm wide × 3000mm high, pane weights up to 320kg and typical Uw value of 1.3 W/m²K. |
| Sliding Door Performance | Air permeability Class 4, water tightness Class 7A, wind resistance Class C5, acoustic reduction up to 41dB and locking at up to four points, depending on height. |
| Frameless Glass Balustrades | Toughened laminated glass up to 21.5mm thick, maximum height 1100mm and line-load capacity up to 3kN, subject to project-specific design calculations. |
| Marine-Grade Frame Finish | Aluminium profiles pre-anodised before application of a dark grey polyester powder coating, providing enhanced protection against the exposed salt-air environment. |
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