TOUGHENED GLASS BALUSTRADES
Our toughened and laminated glass balustrades are suitable for indoor or outdoor installation, in both residential and commercial buildings. Whether it’s a shopping centre or events venue, a leisure facility or private residence, glass balustrades make great additions to stairways, balconies, and seating areas alike.
The best part is that clear glass balustrades don’t compromise light levels or lines of sight. These partitions allow light to spread throughout the space evenly, so it still feels bright and open. Easy to install and even easier to maintain, your home or business is guaranteed to enjoy the versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal they’ll bring.
Choose between traditional toughened glass or low-iron toughened glass for an extra-clear look. Whether you want a frameless style with a channel profile or a design with posts and handrails, the choice is completely yours when you order our bespoke glass balustrades.
CUSTOM GLASS BALUSTRADES
We’re proud to manufacture custom glass balustrades for a wide range of applications. Available in several thicknesses from 10mm to 20.8mm, choosing your finish and shape is simple with our online ordering tool below.
All you have to do is follow the selection steps, provide the measurements you require, and add the product to your basket. We offer extra services so you can tailor your order exactly how you want, from drilled holes and cut-outs to dubbed corners and polymer coatings.
You’ll also have the opportunity to upload diagrams of your glass balustrade specifications, if you have any relevant documents to share. Once you’re happy with your selections, proceed to the checkout to complete your order, where we’ll calculate shipping costs.
ORDER GLASS BALUSTRADES ONLINE
We’re happy to help you make a trendy and practical statement, defining boundaries and taking a modern twist on safety railings with our transparent glass balustrades. Please ensure that your chosen balustrades and installation methods comply with UK building regulations before you place your order, as this is the customer’s responsibility.
You can also click below to view our technical drawings for examples of popular glass balustrade systems. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or have any questions, give the our expert team a call on 020 8500 1188. We’ll gladly provide assistance and more information.
Don’t forget to browse our selection of fittings and accessories for any hardware you’ll need to complete your design. We supply a range of channels, brackets, posts, seals, and more that you can use to install your toughened glass balustrades securely.
How thick should glass balustrades be?
The minimum thickness for a glass balustrade depends on the type of glass and finish, as well as where you’ll be installing it. Frameless glass balustrades should be at least 10mm thick, which is why we provide clear toughened glass in this thickness, as well as clear toughened laminated glass in 16.8mm and 20.8mm for extra strength.
Standard toughened glass is generally only available at 10mm thick and above, so this is the thinnest your glass balustrade can be if it has posts and handrails. Our frosted satin glass balustrades and tinted glass balustrades (grey or bronze) are only available in this thickness, so they may not be suitable for a frameless balustrade system.
To meet the British and European safety standards for glass balustrades, glass panels must be certain thicknesses and withstand certain loads under standardised impact tests. There are different classes based on minimum glass thickness and minimum impact load, which are explained in BS EN 12600:2002.
It’s recommended for glass panels to be no less than 10mm thick when used as a framed balustrade with a handrail. If you want a frameless balustrade, much thicker glass is recommended – it’s better to opt for laminated glass in this case, which features two panels of toughened glass sealed together with an interlayer to make it extra robust.
You can find more information about the minimum requirements for glass balustrade safety in the UK Building Regulations, which explain how high and wide a glass balustrade must also be in a particular situation to comply with the law.
For example, balustrades around seating areas in the UK must be at least 800mm tall (only 530mm if the seating is fixed in place), increasing to 900mm for stairs and ramps and to 1100mm for balconies. Additionally, to reduce or eliminate the risk of anyone getting stuck in gaps between balustrades or fixtures, it must not be possible for a 100mm sphere to pass through any openings.
As the buyer of the product, it is your responsibility to make sure that the glass panels and fittings that you order and the installation method you use comply with all the relevant standards and regulations. Please consult your local Building Control office for advice on your planned application first if you are unsure.
Where can glass balustrades be installed?
Like any type of protective or partitioning system, there are many applications for glass balustrades – including indoor and outdoor, residential and commercial, and more. Here are some of the places you could install glass balustrades:
- Staircases and landings
- Mezzanine floors
- Walkways and bridges
- Terraces and patios
- Swimming pools and Jacuzzi decks
- Balconies (including rooftop and Juliet balconies)
- Areas for waiting, dining, viewing etc
These can be found in homes, offices, shops, and public buildings such as schools and hospitals, among many other settings. They can be used to divide open spaces safely without making them feel smaller and darker, or to provide a safety barrier for changing floor levels.
However, if you’re using glass balustrades at the edge of stairs, landings or floor edges, or balconies, then you must be sure that your railing system complies with building regulations for health and safety. These specify minimum height levels where there are differences in floor levels.
More information can be found in Approved Document K, which covers protection from falls, collisions, and impacts. Generally, a balustrade is mandatory where there is a change in floor level of more than two stair risers, or 600mm – for example:
- Stairs and ramps
- Balconies and galleries
- Roofs and terraces
- Light wells or sunken areas
When you’re using glass balustrades as barriers to protect against falls, make sure that the glass panels you order are the appropriate thickness with the minimum load resistance required by British/European safety standards.
