What is a glass balustrade?

 

Glass balustrade: A definition

Glass balustrades are frameless glass panels that are used to create a barrier and offer safety and protection from fall hazards in areas where there is a change in floor level or drop between two spaces.

Why would you need a glass balustrade?

Glass balustrades are often used to create a stylish safety barrier, usually where there’s a difference in height between two points with a significant drop. Though solid materials also work well for this purpose, glass provides the added benefit of bringing natural light into your home, as well as creating the illusion of more space.

They can be used in outdoor areas too, as a transparent border around decking, balconies, or pool surrounds, as they provide all the safety features you need without obstructing your views.

How are glass balustrades installed?

Installation of your glass balustrade will differ depending where it is installed.

Staircases

Installing panels along your staircase can be achieved in a couple of ways, depending on the style you want.

If you plan on keeping existing posts in situ, you can simply remove any spindles and replace them with toughened glass. On the other hand, you can support your glass balustrade panels with brackets, or rebate the wood to hold the glass in place.

Decking and Balconies

There are two ways of installing your balustrade around decking or balconies.

1. With metal posts

   The first installation method for decking and balcony balustrade systems uses metal posts and clamps. With this option, your glass sits between the gaps in the post.

2. Frameless Option

   Alternatively, you can opt to go frameless for a sleeker, modern style. This approach to installation requires fixing a glass balustrade channel to the floor which the glass panels slot into.

Where would you install glass balustrades?

Glass balustrades are highly adaptable, allowing them to be used in several areas, both inside and outside your home. These areas include:

• Balconies
• Stairs
• Terraces
• Decking & patios
• Pool surroundings
• Landings

Five benefits of using glass balustrades

Glass balustrades offer numerous benefits to you and your home.

1. They add style

   Glass balustrades add huge amounts of style and sophistication to almost any interior or exterior design. Whether you’re going for a sleek, ultra-modern feel, or want to compliment original features of your property, glass is the perfect addition. What’s more, the natural transparency of glass helps you show off all the integral components of your design.

2. They make great use of natural light and create the illusion of space

   Glass balustrades allow natural light to flow effortlessly through your home, a benefit you simply can’t achieve with other building materials. This, along with allowing you to see from one area to another creates the illusion of more space within your property. Balustrades on your landings and stairs provide a great example of this, as you are able to open up multiple spaces to create a powerful style.

3. A remarkable safety feature

   While style is an important design consideration for your home improvement projects, a balustrade’s primary function is usually as a safety barrier. Toughened glass balustrades overcome any safety concerns by creating a strong boundary between areas that pose a fall hazard.

4. They’re low maintenance and easy to clean

   Glass balustrades are very easy to clean, simply wipe them down with warm water or your favourite glass or window cleaning product.

   There’s also no danger of them fading over time or getting discoloured, something that can’t always be said for other types of balustrading.

5. They’re durable

   As we previously mentioned, glass balustrades can be made from toughened or laminated glass, meaning they can endure heavy use without reducing in quality over time.

   This durability can set glass apart from other materials like wood, which is prone to infestation, or metal, which, if not treated and maintained correctly, is susceptible to corrosion.

Choosing the right glass balustrade

To conclude, if you’re looking for a highly durable, strong, low maintenance, and stylish safety barrier for your home, inside or out, a glass balustrade system is the ideal solution.

At The Glass Warehouse, we have been designing, manufacturing, and supplying glass balustrade systems for over 20 years, and with the advancement of technology within the glass industry, we can now offer advanced design services, complete with 3D rendering.

So, if this article has provided you with the knowledge and confidence to jump in and install a new glass balustrade system, you can start building it today using our new online balustrade builder.

Alternatively, you can shop our range of glass balustrade panels.