Glass Balustrade

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.

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 be in a particular situation. For example, balustrades around seating areas in the UK must be at least 800mm tall, increasing to 900mm for stairs and ramps and to 1100mm for balconies.

Where can glass balustrades be installed?

Whether you’re looking for glass balustrades for your home or business, these structures have plenty of domestic and commercial uses. Here are some popular glass balustrade applications:

• Staircases and landings
• Mezzanine floors and walkways
• Balconies (including Juliet balconies)
• Terraces, patios, and decking
• Rooftop gardens and swimming pools

Glass balustrades are most often used as a design feature, and a practical way of separating spaces with protective barriers at the same time. They’re only a legal requirement if there’s a difference in floor levels that could cause injury if someone was to trip or fall (as per Approved Document K).

Essentially, you can install glass balustrades anywhere you want to section off the space for certain uses or designate boundaries between spaces. They can surround dining areas or waiting areas, guide queues or foot traffic, and keep people out who aren’t permitted to access the enclosed area.

Should glass balustrades have a handrail?

It’s not a legal requirement for glass balustrades to have a handrail, as long as the glass is strong enough on its own. For example, toughened laminated glass has an extra layer in the middle that holds the pane together even if it cracks or shatters, so it doesn’t need a secondary barrier.

That said, you need to make sure that any frameless glass balustrades without handrails can take the appropriate line load for it to be safe. As per the disclaimer above, it’s the responsibility of the customer and not Express Toughening to comply with BS 6399-1:1996 and BS 6180:2011.

We stock a range of glass balustrade fittings on our website, including glass balustrade posts and frameless glass balustrade profiles, so you should be able to find everything you need for safe and stable installation. Should you require more information, give us call or send us a message.