Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has no concerns regarding Kobbie Mainoo’s ability to handle the red-hot atmosphere likely to await the Red Devils when they face Galatasaray on Wednesday.
United travel to Istanbul bottom of their UEFA Champions League group, knowing a defeat will end their chances of reaching the last 16. A draw could also seal their fate, depending on the result of Copenhagen’s trip to Bayern Munich in Group A’s other match on Wednesday.
Ten Hag’s team head to Turkey without injured midfield trio Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, but their absences allowed Mainoo to play a starring role against Everton on Saturday.
Handed his first Premier League start at Goodison Park, Mainoo earned plaudits for an assured performance in the middle of the park as United claimed a 3-0 win, their fifth victory in their last six league games.
While much has been made of the hostile reception United are likely to receive in Turkey, Ten Hag has no misgivings about the 18-year-old’s ability to handle the occasion.
“No, we don’t have any concerns,” Ten Hag said at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “If players are good enough, they are old enough.”
Asked about Mainoo’s performance against the Toffees, Ten Hag added: “I think we are very pleased with that performance, but it’s one performance and you have to do it on a consistent basis.
“Kobbie is so mature, he knows that, and we are confident he will do it.
“But he has to prove he can do it, like we all have prove it. You are only as good as your last game.”
Mainoo has attracted plenty of attention in recent days, with reports suggesting Ghana are looking to persuade him to switch international allegiance from England, who he has represented up to under-19 level.
Ten Hag does not think the midfielder will be affected by the spotlight being on him, saying: “He should enjoy it [the attention] first, but keep focused on the game.
“Don’t get distracted so your focus goes to things away from football. It’s about the games, you have to focus on your performances, reaching the right levels.
“When we see a player getting distracted by it, we will tell him. But I see his levels in training, so I’m not concerned that he will be distracted by it.”
Erik ten Hag wants cool heads when Manchester United look to keep their UEFA Champions League hopes alive on Wednesday, returning to the scene of their infamous 1993 clash with Galatasaray.
Having squandered 2-0 and 3-2 leads in a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen on their last European outing, United sit bottom of Group A with just three points going into matchday five.
They will be out of contention to reach the last 16 if they lose in Istanbul, while a draw will also seal their fate should Copenhagen upset group winners Bayern Munich elsewhere on Wednesday.
United memorably received a hostile reception when they travelled to Turkey for the second leg of a 1993 Champions League tie with Galatasaray, being greeted on their arrival in Istanbul with a banner which read: ‘Welcome to Hell”.
A goalless draw played out in a ferocious atmosphere saw United dumped out of the competition on away goals on that occasion, and Ten Hag is urging calm as his team look to avoid a similar fate.
“We know how to deal with it. You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional,” Ten Hag said of the atmosphere likely to await United at Rams Park.
“You need the emotions, but you have to control them and not give them [Galatasaray] anything, the referee as well. We know how to deal with it, you have to make it your game.
“It’s not that important how the opponent is playing, it’s about how we are playing, how we deal with possession, out of possession, the normal stuff.
“We will make a good plan but in the moment, the players have to decide it. They have to manage the game.”
Both of United’s away Champions League games this season – against Bayern and Copenhagen – have resulted in 4-3 defeats, but Ten Hag does not believe hostile receptions have impacted his players.
“You can always find something,” the Dutchman said. “Last year we couldn’t win away from home, it was an issue, now we can’t win at home.
“Now we win away games so you bring up that we can’t win away games in Europe! We know what we can do and we are confident.
“The last few games away from home in the league were also very hostile, and we played very well. We were calm and composed, like this team last year in Barcelona [in the UEFA Europa League].”
Arguably the most damaging result of United’s campaign to date came in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, with former Red Devil Wilfried Zaha among the scorers as Galatasaray clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Asked if United have improved since that loss, Ten Hag said: “I think so, yeah. It will probably be the same for Galatasaray but I think we improved.
“We made good progress, we’re stepping up, we’re more stable and we’re winning games. There’s definitely a better feeling than in the moment when we last met Galatasaray.”
United will be without forward Marcus Rashford for Wednesday’s game as he serves a one-match ban after being sent off in Copenhagen, but Ten Hag confirmed Rasmus Hojlund and Antony are both in the squad after missing Saturday’s 3-0 win over Everton with minor injuries.
🚨 The boss has positive news on two first-team Reds ahead of Wednesday night’s big game 👀#MUFC || #UCL
‘Chaotic Working’ is Employees’ Defining 2023 Work Trend, Finds.
As the year 2023 approaches its end, the workforce has weathered a stormy employment climate. The summer has been abuzz with activity, leading to a coined phenomenon ‘Hot Labor Summer’, while others have grudgingly made their way back to in-office routines, encountering unique obstacles absent in remote setups. This includes the presence of ‘Loud Laborers’ who engage more in talk than action. This period has spawned a set of new phrases encapsulating the unique work trends of the year, such as ‘Rage Applying’, ‘Chaotic Working’, and ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’, as determined by a USDictionary.com survey of 1,000 workers.
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
Chaotic Working:
This term has resonated with workers in 2023, symbolizing a relentless cycle of task management akin to an intense round of corporate whack-a-mole. Task completion leads to the emergence of new ones, while meetings disrupt breaks and last-minute urgencies arise, likening daily schedules to an overwhelming game of Tetris. ‘Chaotic Working’ has taken on additional meaning this year, indicating a disordered work atmosphere where employees might bend rules to serve clients or customers, often at the company’s expense, without fear of consequences.
Shift Shock:
Securing the second spot, ‘Shift Shock’ encapsulates the disillusionment from the initial excitement of a new job to the stark reality of unexpected responsibilities, such as becoming the unofficial office barista. Shaun Connell of USDictionary.com compares it to an alluring online profile that doesn’t match up to the real-life encounter with the job.
Bare Minimum Mondays:
In third place, ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ humorously acknowledges the universal sluggish start to the workweek. It’s an unspoken consensus to perform just enough to maintain operations, with brief email responses and minimalist reporting. Meetings are navigated with minimal engagement, epitomizing the low-energy yet cooperative start to the week.
Career Cushioning:
This trend involves the strategic accumulation of skills, contacts, and side projects as a safety net against job uncertainty or when seeking new opportunities. It’s a day of subtle career advancement activities, including updating professional profiles and discreet mentorship meetings.
Boomerang Employee:
Ranked fifth, the ‘Boomerang Employee’ refers to individuals returning to previous employers after exploring the job market, often with newfound experience and sometimes improved compensation.
Quiet Cutting:
Finally, ‘Quiet Cutting’ is a term emerging in sixth place, described by Connell as a corporate reassignment that occurs instead of losing one’s position, reflecting a shift from the bargaining power employees held during the Great Resignation to a market with diminishing job openings and wage growth.
The study was carried out via a survey of American employees, of which you can read more in this MSN article. How would workers across the pond rate their 2023 office experience? Write to us and share your thoughts through our contact form!
A police pursuit of a BMW X5 travelling at 90mph resulted in seizure of class A drugs and a knife.
On Friday, Greater Manchester Police’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit were deployed in North Manchester in response to an increase in the theft of vehicles.
But whilst on patrol, they came across a car travelling at 90mph.
The driver failed to stop, so specially-trained police drivers began a pursuit of the BWW X5, which eventually collided with a crash barrier on the M60, before rolling and landing on its roof.
On searching the vehicle, police found large quantities of class A drugs and a knife. Vehicle checks showed the car to be stolen.
The driver was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon and remains in police custody.
Burglary a “top priority”
Sergeant Nasim from GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit said: “Highly trained drivers from our unit are across Greater Manchester day and night, with the sole purpose of disrupting organised crime and keeping our streets safe.
“This weekend we noticed the vehicle driving erratically through Manchester, hitting speeds of over 90mph, which could have had devastating consequences. Thankfully, no members of the public were injured, and I am pleased that my officers are safe too.
“Burglary remains a top priority for the force and resources across GMP continue to work tirelessly to apprehend offenders who commit these intrusive crimes.
“We would like drivers to think about making it harder for criminals to steal their belongings by taking the time to read through some of our crime prevention advice as some simple tips can make a big difference, especially if you have keyless entry.”
New research reveals that england is home to the world’s 4th physically strongest people.
For some, a well-brewed cask ale stands superior to any Belgian lager, while French wine enthusiasts could insist that nothing matches the bouquet of a vintage Bordeaux, sparking lively debates. On the culinary stage, one might find Yorkshiremen boasting about the superiority of their Yorkshire pudding in the Sunday roast tradition, while across the border, Scots may argue that nothing compares to the flavors of their traditional smoked salmon. And on the sporting stage, the age-old rivalry between the rugby teams of England and Wales encapsulates the intensity of national sports contests, mirroring longstanding regional and cultural schisms. Of course, all these rivalries are subjective and are likely to, at worst, anger and appall, and at best, reach a compromise by agreeing to disagree. But what if a true ranking of countries and states exists, whereby you could quantifiably, without disagreement, rank each from best to worst?
Lift Vault, an online resource for powerlifting, bodybuilding and strength training, analyzed data, and set out to determine where in the world do the physically strongest men & women reside? They scoured through 5 years of data provided by Open Powerlifting focusing on 3 main powerlifting categories – the squat (a strength exercise in which the trainee lowers their hips from a standing position and then stands back up); the bench press (an upper-body weight training exercise in which the trainee presses a weight upwards while lying on a weight training bench); and a deadlift (in which a weight is lifted off the ground to the level of the hips, before being placed back on the ground).
The data reveals that the world’s strongest men and women reside in the United States. Their stats were: average squat: 710 lbs; average bench press: 437 lbs; average deadlift: 752 lbs.
When it came to the UK, it is revealed that the English came in 4th position overall – their results were : 610 lbs; average bench press: 375 lbs; average deadlift: 688 lbs.
They were followed by the Scots in 23rd; the Welsh in 45th; and Northern Irish in 62nd.
The ‘weakest’ lifters turned out to be from Cayman Islands. While the numbers suggest that Cayman Islanders’ weightlifters might not be hoisting the heaviest iron in the world, it’s worth noting that strength comes in many forms. Perhaps they are too busy swimming in their beautiful seas or working out on beaches to hang around the squat rack.
2023’s Five Strongest Countries:
1. United States
2. France
3. Sweden
4. England
5. Canada
2023’s Five Weakest Counties:
81. Cayman Islands
80. Moldova
79. Panama
78. Sri Lanka
77. Cyprus
Lift Vault also broke down America’s results by state, finding that Texans are America’s strongest, which you can see in this MSN article.
A new insight-packed report shows that only 69% of midlife women think they’re invisible to advertising brands.
New data compiled Manchester’s The Behaviours Agency, revealed that only 7% of women aged 45-60,think they’re very well represented in advertising and 62% think that advertising targeted at them rarely shows someone they can relate to.
Sue Benson, agency managing director said: “Our research has shown just some of the ways that brands and retailers can improve their communication with this cohort of women that Forbes dubs ‘super consumers’, due to their spending capability and the huge changes that are going on in their lives – resulting in them seeking out new products that are relevant for them.
“A key finding was that midlife brings about an awakening for women, due to ubiquitous ‘change’ where personal needs take precedence, alongside a greater understanding of the value of the present and the importance of fulfilment. And this is a huge opportunity for brands to get it right.”
The research showed that one in three women had changed skincare, cosmetics and haircare products because their skin/hair has changed; while 42% had changed their diet.
She added: “These women don’t feel represented in brand advertising, or even trust the claims being made. Overall, women expressed a strong desire for more diverse and realistic representation that mirrors their own lives and challenges.”
Lack of relatable role models
One of the main concerns expressed by midlife women in the new data, is the lack of relatable role models and representation in advertisements.
They argue that the absence of women in their age group in advertising reinforces harmful stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards. This perceived invisibility only serves to compound the pressure many midlife women feel to conform to societal ideals.
Many women reported that they didn’t feel that brands predominantly focus on younger generations, perpetuating stereotypes that don’t reflect their interests, values, or aspirations. As a result, they feel marginalised and underappreciated by the marketing industry.
72% are sceptical about the claims made in advertisements. 75% thinks ads focus too much on appearance rather than overall wellbeing and 72% feel ads often set unrealistic standards of beauty.
Louise Baker, a 50-year-old professional from Manchester, said: “We’re not invisible; we’re just ignored. It’s frustrating when the marketing world seems to think that the only things midlife women are interested in are anti-aging creams and laundry detergent. We have diverse interests, and we want to see ourselves reflected in the advertisements we encounter daily.
“Naturally the menopause was a significant factor in these women’s lives – but they were quick to point that they don’t want it to define them, something which many brands are guilty of. To be successful at reaching and resonating with this key demographic we need to look beyond ‘the menopause. Menopause is just ONE of the reasons this cohort feels invisible.
“41% said there’s not enough help and information around menopause, 34% said the amount of help is about right and 17% said it’s hard to work out what information is helpful or useful. 8% simply feel overwhelmed now about the information that’s out there – so much so it’s become noise.
“The midlife women we spoke to told us that they wanted menopause-related products and communications to be addressed more subtly, focusing on solutions rather than labelling everything as “for menopause.” It can come across as pigeonholing, alienating, or feeling like a brand is jumping on the bandwagon.”
The research also found that while they’re increasingly being stereotyped as ‘struggling’ with menopausal issues, in fact, change beyond menopause is the dominating and uniting narrative in midlife women’s lives.
Alejandro Garnacho surprised a young Manchester United fan by gifting him the boots in which he scored his stunning goal against Everton.
The Argentina winger netted what has been described as the best overhead kick of all-time at Goodison Park at the weekend, spectacularly converting Diego Dalot’s cross at the far post with a stunning volley that flew past Jordan Pickford.
United went on to win the game 3-0 but much of the post-match focus was on Garnacho’s goal.
His popularity with the United fans was already through the roof but it is set to go up even further after a video emerged of him giving his boots to young George outside the club’s Carrington training ground.
The world of wine can seem unnecessarily complicated. With different rules for different drinks and a plethora of choice on offer at the supermarket, navigating the aisles to find the perfect tipple for each and every festive occasion can be rather daunting.
That’s why we tasked the country’s major producer and supplier of wines to your local supermarket to advise how you can win at Christmas drinks like an expert this year.
From buying the right selection of drinks for dinner, what to serve at kitchen discos, how to nail THE festive cocktail of the season, or serving fizz like a pro, we have you covered.
Look like an expert with the fizz
The popularity of sparkling wines such as prosecco and Crémant has shot up in recent years, but there are pitfalls awaiting those who wish to serve up the perfect glass of fizz.
Wine expert and buyer Kathryn Glass travels the world to find the best wines and – as such – knows a few things about sparklers. Here’s her top tips for getting it right.
Chill your fizz for four hours
“Not many people know that sparkling wines should be chilled for three to four hours before serving, not just for an arbitrary 20 or 30 minutes,” says Kathryn. “Prosecco is ideally served at 6-8 degrees Celsius, but Champagne can be served at 8-10 degrees, with the slightly warmer temp giving kudos to the toasty, brioche notes we expect from the bottle. Serving at the right temperature will ensure that the drinker gets the very best from the fizz.”
Pop, don’t bang!
“When opening a bottle, you don’t need to hear that loud bang. A gentle pop is much better! Hold the bottle in one hand, the cork in the other, keeping the bottle at a 45-degree angle. Gently twist the BOTTLE, not the cork, and ease the cork out of the neck, holding into it at all times.
“Next up, pouring! You want to do it in two stages to stop it from fizzing over. One simple hack to stop this happening is to pour fizz into a third of each flute, wait for a few seconds until the bubbles have gone down – and then top up. Cheers!”
Savvy shopping – Crémant over Champers
Kathryn’s go-to for Christmas? The Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire Brut NV. “I would choose a fizz for Christmas dinner as it brings the occasion to life. When we look at something like Crémant, it’s made in the same way as Champagne including that all important secondary fermentation in botte, and aging in the cellar. But it’s at a fraction of the price.”
Combining Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, this lovely example boasts a fresh elegant aroma of citrus and white stone fruit with hints of biscuity notes.
2. Be the perfect party host
Chilled cans for the win
Drinks brand expert Jade Fowles, who is likely to be responsible for some of the drinks in your fridge, has a hack to save you time and impress guests. Jade says: “When you’re hosting at home, it’s important you have time to socialise and not spend all your time pouring drinks. If you have ready mixed, chilled canned cocktails and simple serves, alongside garnishes, ice and glasses, people can help themselves. It’s a real time saver and everyone gets the drink they want.”
Box clever…
“For wine lovers, do yourself the ultimate favour and grab bag-in-box products rather than bottles for parties” says Jade. “Don’t be fooled into thinking bag in box wines are lower quality, as the wine inside is the same as a bottle – and someone has worked really hard to make it excellent for you. What’s more, boxed wines are eco-friendly, stay fresh for up to six weeks and stack nicely in the fridge or cupboard. No waste, and often better value too.”
3. Match the right wines to your food
Beefy reds with red meat, Chardonnay with chicken and Champers with fish and chips? Drinking wine is mostly about personal choice and drinking what you love, but as we enjoy food and drink with all of our senses, learning a few simple do’s and don’ts will mean that you always win when hosting.
Get the look for seafood starters
Drinks marketeer Emily Ramoutar says to prioritise substance, style and aesthetics. “When these come together, things feel good, taste good and look good, which is the holy grail. A good example of this is The Hidden Sea. The Sauvignon Blanc is really zippy and citrussy and it really cuts through that oil if you’re having fish or seafood as a starter. For every bottle sold, The Hidden Sea removes 10 single use plastic bottles from the ocean. Plus, the bottle is beautiful and designed by celebrated NYC artist, Jon Contino.”
Top wine buyer Paul Braydon admits that being a child of the 80s makes him a traditionalist when it comes to festive food and drink and urges shoppers to ensure good quality classics aren’t overlooked. “I’d always choose a good Aussie Chardonnay and pair with smoked salmon and Marie Rose sauce. It doesn’t have to be pricy, something like the Andrew Peace Chardonnay is a treat, and comes from an excellent wine maker favoured by high street supermarkets.”
Turkey & trimmings must-haves
Down to earth advice is offered by the most esteemed wine expert. David Gill, Master of Wine, says don’t be fooled into thinking that turkey equals white wine. “You must offer a red and a white to ensure everyone is catered for, as ultimately you have to drink what you like. To get reds right, choose a premium wine without the premium price tag. Wines from Baron de Ley, for example, are ‘MUST HAVES’ for Christmas dinner and range from lighter wines to big beefy Rioja Reservas.”
4. Christmas cocktail know-how
This year, the Negroni takes the spotlight. The Italian aperitivo has reached iconic levels recently as drinkers embrace its simply made yet complex-tasting deliciousness. If you want to create some fabulous festive feelings, you can cosy up for Christmas with two twists on the classic.
Mulled Negroni
Drinks development specialist Danielle Vause knows her flavours and can spot an incoming trend a mile away. “This Christmas, I’m backing a mulled negroni as the serve of the season. It’s made in the usual style – gin, vermouth and Campari – and made ‘mulled’ with the addition of falernum, sloe gin and some red wine. But here’s the twist. Swap out the additional ingredients for a splash of mulled wine – it pretty much does the same job. You can even warm it slightly with a cinnamon stick for a really glorious Christmassy treat!”
Negroni Sbagliato
“If you’ve been on TikTok in the last year, you’ve definitely heard of the Negroni Sbagliato. Instead of using gin as the base for a negroni, you use Prosecco. It’s a great alternative if you love the taste of a Negroni but you don’t want the alcohol burn.”
5. Magnums for instant Christmas kudos
Provence rosé is a real treat, the region has been making exceptional, dry and delicious rosé wines for thousands of years. With rosé experiencing a renaissance of late, gifting a magnum of Provence wine to a friend of family member, or bringing a bottle for the Christmas table, is bound to impress.
Jo Taylorson, who has 20+ years of experience in the drinks industry, recommends the Barton and Guestier Tourmaline Rosé magnum, saying: “It’s delicious served chilled and a magnum is perfect for the dinner table, encouraging sharing and in turn discussion. Available in your local Waitrose, it’s from a hugely respected Provence producer and is bone dry with lovely floral, citrus, pear, peach and red berry notes. I dare anyone not to like it.”
The shopping list: The wines recommended by the experts
Also known as tempered glass, there is much more to toughened glass than the fragile, crystal-clear material you might think of when considering traditional glass.
This type of glass is far stronger than standard glass, which is why it is used in such a wide range of structural applications across the globe – from windows and doors to furniture and more.
Wondering why toughened glass is the go-to for so many professional uses? Here’s a list of eleven benefits of toughened glass to explain more.
1) Strength
Unlike ordinary annealed glass, toughened glass is specially strengthened through a heating and cooling process that changes its compressive and tensile stresses, which in turn increases its mechanical resistance to breaking.
Compared with a piece of standard glass in the same thickness and size, a panel of toughened glass will be up to five times stronger.
2) Durability
Not only is toughened glass far more difficult to break, but this hardiness also means that anything made using it will also be extremely durable, withstanding damage for a long time where ordinary glass would become damaged immediately.
Toughened glass is more resistant to scratches, scuffs, chips, and cracks, allowing it to endure general wear and tear and even weather exposure.
3) Impact resistance
Being so strong and durable also means that toughened glass can bear loads and withstand impacts that would cause regular glass to simply shatter. It can endure various types and high levels of stress without warping, cracking, or breaking apart.
This makes it ideal for applications that require reinforced glass in case of accidents, such as glass walls, windows, doors, showers, and more.
4) Safety
Glass is generally considered dangerous because it can easily break, scattering shards with sharp edges everywhere that can cause serious injuries.
Even in the event of an impact strong enough to break it, this won’t happen with toughened glass. Instead, the tempered glass will fall into very small pieces that are more pebble-like, reducing the risk of injury and property damage without jagged edges.
5) Heat resistance
Thanks to the way it’s manufactured, toughened glass is not only several times stronger than standard glass, but also several times more resistant to heat.
This means that it can typically withstand heat up to 250°C, resisting thermal breakage as a result of contraction and expansion in changing temperatures – whether indoors in kitchens and bathrooms or outdoors in an area exposed to direct sunlight.
6) Noise reduction
Though the extent of its sound insulation depends on its thickness, the different internal structure of tempered glass typically allows for greater noise reduction than regular glass, because it can better resist the transfer of sound vibrations.
Toughened glass can also be specifically designed as acoustic glass for the purpose of noise reduction, with an internal layer to absorb sound.
7) UV resistance
Just as it can absorb heat from the sun without warping or cracking, toughened glass can also absorb some of the UV radiation from the sun’s rays.
Toughened glass is commonly capable of absorbing more than 50% of UV rays, offering an SPF of around 16. This UV protection can be increased further with specially-made tinted toughened glass, which is often available with a bronze or grey tint.
8) Transparency
Despite the internal differences that lend toughened glass its robust properties, it doesn’t look that different to non-toughened glass from the outside.
Offering the same level of transparency – with even greater clarity available in the case of low-iron toughened glass – it has all the aesthetic appeal of standard glass, allowing light to flow through spaces that feel larger and more open as a result.
9) Low-maintenance
One of the biggest benefits of toughened glass in larger expanses, like walls, partitions, and windows, is that it’s just as easy to clean as any type of glass.
Its resistance to stains and scratches should keep it in good condition for long stretches of time, with little upkeep required in between periodical cleaning. Even this is simple, with few materials and not much time needed to wipe glass panels clean.
10) Customisable
While maintaining transparency is one of the primary draws for wanting to use toughened glass, it’s good to know that it can also be customised with different finishes if desired.
For example, translucent tinted glass offers a little more privacy as well as sun protection, while obscure painted glass offers visual privacy and adds colour. Frosted glass can achieve a balance somewhere in the middle, with a (sometimes patterned) satin finish.
11) Versatility
Last but not least, all of these factors combined make toughened glass an extremely versatile material that’s suitable for use in countless settings – and likely to be the solution for whatever application you may be considering while you’re researching glass types.
From offices and commercial buildings to modernised homes, toughened glass can be found everywhere – in the balustrades of staircases and balconies, in doors and windows, in kitchen splashbacks and shower screens, in tables and shelves, even in floors and ceilings!
Often found in countries such as Spain and Italy, Juliet balconies add an element of European charm to building facades everywhere – especially in the UK, where they’re becoming a common feature.
Named for the balcony scene with Romeo in Shakespeare’s famous play, a Juliet balcony fixes a balustrade across an upper floor full-height window or door, allowing people to enjoy the view and fresh air without having to install a platform projecting from the external wall.
Being cost-effective and easy to install, it’s no wonder that these ‘false’ balconies are now a popular choice for many property owners – but which Juliet balcony style is the best for you?
Here is a quick guide to the different Juliet balcony design options out there to help you choose.
Juliet balcony materials
There are various styles of Juliet balcony available, from decorative to minimalist, depending on the materials used. For example, more traditional balconies feature wrought iron railings with scrollwork, which are typically painted black for an elegant ornamental look.
However, modern versions of the Juliet balcony create a more streamlined appearance with vertical steel railings that are more resistant to weather exposure – though they can also be powder-coated in different paint colours if desired.
For many contemporary homes, gaps in railings aren’t ideal – posing a particular risk to children and pets. That’s why solid barriers made from panels of highly durable toughened glass or laminated glass are ideal for safe yet trendy Juliet balconies.
Juliet balcony fixing methods
The fixings used for a Juliet balcony depend on the materials used, the design, and the most appropriate method for securing it to the building to ensure safety, in regard to the particular materials and design chosen.
For example, when it comes to glass, whether the balcony can be frameless or not and whether it requires a handrail on top or not will depend on the type of glass and its dimensions. In the UK, building regulations determine when certain types of glass and handrails must be used to protect against falls from a height.
There are several ways to mount a Juliet balcony balustrade, with the most common being vertical posts at either side and/or horizontal posts along the top and bottom, though discreet stand-off fixings can be used to attach the panel directly to the fascia.
Similarly, traditional styles featuring railings as part of a whole frame can be anchored directly into the masonry surrounding the window or door.
Juliet balcony doors
Though they’re not part of the balcony barrier itself, the window or door behind the guarding also plays an important role in the function and appearance of a Juliet balcony.
Inward-opening French doors are one of the most frequently seen choices, providing a classic style with framed panes of glass. However, they require leaving enough open space inside to allow the doors to open inwards when you want to use the balconette.
For this reason, sliding doors are sometimes preferred. Not only do they allow you to open and close the door without requiring much clearance inside or out, but their simple window-like design also makes the space feel more open and therefore larger than it really is.
Bi-fold doors are another alternative, as they slide open and fold out of the way like an accordion, but they do require a bigger footprint than standard sliding doors.
In some cases, as there is no platform to step out onto, a full-height window will do in place of doors to access the balcony. Vertical sash windows can suffice as long as they can be secured in the open position safely – or you may want to invest in more expensive yet convenient tilt-and-turn windows, which can open from any hinged side, including top or bottom.
Which Juliet balcony should you choose?
Choosing the best Juliet balcony design for your home or business property may seem difficult at first, but once you consider factors such as the view, the amount of natural light you expect, and your budget, it should be easier to come to a decision.
Whichever materials, mounting method, and window or door holds the most appeal, it’s important to order parts and fittings from reliable suppliers, and only go ahead with an installation after consulting with a professional engineer.
They should be able to advise you on the most suitable design for your chosen location, assist with any planning permission applications, and provide calculations to ensure your Juliet balcony installation is completely safe and compliant with regulations.
