Glass Decking Balustrades
Made using resilient toughened glass and stainless steel or aluminium, all of our modern outdoor glass balustrade options are designed for durability.
Thanks to our custom decking balustrade builder tool on this page, it’s easy to match decorative and practical elements to the preferences and needs of your family or visitors, delivering safety and style in one straight shot.
For example, if you want to maximise the view, you might be searching for frameless glass decking balustrades. Or, if you want more privacy around an outdoor area like a terrace or deck, a frosted glass balustrade or tinted finish could be the perfect fit.
Outdoor Glass Balustrade Systems
Whether you want decking balustrades with glass panels or glass pool surrounds, we’re confident you can create an outdoor glass balustrade kit that meets your needs from our range of glass options and our extensive collection of glass fittings.
You can select the glass thickness, size, and type that suits your specifications best, along with the installation components in the finish of your choice from our balustrade fittings range.* We stock a wide variety of fixings to help secure your decking balustrades to the ground or walls.
Fitting a glass balustrade to pressure-treated wood or composite decking, or any outdoor fixture, is easy when you order the right parts from Express Toughening.
However, if you have any queries about our external balustrades, you can always call or email our team for expert guidance.
*Please note: It is the responsibility of the buyer to check whether the project requires planning permission before proceeding, and to make sure the installation complies with UK safety standards (BS 6399-1:1996 and BS 6180:2011).
What are the benefits of glass decking balustrades?
Using glass for your decking balustrades comes with many advantages compared to other material choices like wood spindles, concrete posts, or composite balusters.
Not only does toughened glass offer complete safety when installed correctly, but it’s also designed to deliver the following perks when used for outdoor decking:
More light and space – Being transparent or translucent with few gaps, glass panels can create a bright and airy feeling of spaciousness and act as a wind barrier at the same time.
Minimalist modern style – Whether you go for framed deck rails with a handrail or a frameless decking system, they’re sure to look great and suit any outdoor space.
Custom colours and thicknesses – You can choose the glass finish and dimensions you need, from the width to the shape, with cut-outs or pre-drilled holes also available.
Low-maintenance longevity – Unlike timber posts that can rot and split if they aren’t re-treated regularly, toughened glass has a long lifespan and requires very little maintenance.
Sustainable materials – Long-lasting glass is hardwearing enough to last decades and can be recycled later with little waste, helping you to support the environment.
Are glass balustrades suitable for composite decking or pressure-treated timber decking?
Yes – it doesn’t really matter which material your decking area is made from, as you can generally choose deck rails made from whatever material you like to go with it.
Your fencing or balusters don’t have to match the flooring – using contrasting materials and colours is a great way to elevate the appearance of your deck, patio, balcony, or terrace.
Whether you have classic wood, modern concrete, pressure-treated timber, or composite decking, glass decking balustrades can complete it with a fantastic finishing touch.
As long as the decking is strong enough to support the weight of the glass balustrade system and the deck rails fit within the dimensions, installing them should be straightforward.
The only issue you might run into is that some installation methods may not be suitable for certain materials – for example, you have to think about how drilling holes to bolt down posts or creating channels will affect the concrete, composite, or pressure-treated timber.
Do decking balustrades need a handrail?
Not always – the need for a handrail depends on factors like the type of glass, the location of the deck rails, and your method of installing them.
It’s your responsibility as the customer placing the order to check UK building regs, as a handrail is sometimes legally required as a necessary safety feature, so it’s up to you to make sure your decking design complies with these rules.
According to BS 6180:2011, your decking balustrades must have a continuous handrail if the fencing is protecting a drop of 600mm or more between ground levels.
This refers to decking balustrades made of toughened glass at least 10mm thick, which would break into pieces under a strong impact, requiring a framed handrail system to ensure there isn’t an unprotected gap.
However, if you use more robust toughened laminated glass, the barrier would remain intact if the glass cracked. This is because laminated glass is made from two panels of glass bonded together with a plastic layer in the middle.
So, even if there was no handrail and both sides broke, the balustrade would still remain in place to prevent falls – meaning you won’t need a handrail if you don’t want one, as long as you use toughened laminated glass at least 15mm thick.
If you prefer framed over frameless styles, you can shop our range of posts, post caps, and tube handrail connectors to design your own balustrade post kit.
