Selecting the appropriate glass for your balustrade is crucial for ensuring safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal. This guide will help you navigate the various glass options available, focusing on their properties, applications, and compliance with safety standards.
Understanding Glass Types
- Toughened (Tempered) Glass
- Definition: Toughened glass is heat-treated to enhance its strength, making it up to five times stronger than standard annealed glass.
- Safety Feature: In the event of breakage, it shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the risk of injury.
- Applications: Ideal for areas where safety is paramount, such as staircases and balconies.
- Laminated Glass
- Definition: Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
- Safety Feature: If broken, the interlayer holds the glass fragments in place, maintaining the barrier and preventing falls.
- Applications: Suitable for balustrades without handrails or when protecting a fall / drop.
Key Considerations for Balustrade Glass
- Thickness
- Standard Thicknesses: Common thicknesses range from 10mm to 21.5mm, depending on the type of glass and application.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the glass thickness meets local building regulations and safety standards.
- Height Requirements
- Internal Applications: For internal residential balustrades, a minimum height of 900mm is typically required.
- External Applications: External balustrades, especially those protecting significant height differences, should be at least 1100mm high.
- Handrail Integration
- With Handrail: Using a handrail can provide additional structural support, allowing for the use of thinner glass.
- Without Handrail: In frameless designs without a handrail, thicker laminated glass is recommended to ensure safety and rigidity.
Safety Standards and Regulations
Adhering to safety standards is essential. In the UK, balustrades must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document K, which outlines requirements for barriers in buildings. Consulting with a professional installer or supplier can help ensure compliance.
Our tech team are always available to help if you have any questions about your project
Aesthetics
- Transparency and Colour
- Clear Glass: Offers unobstructed views and a modern look.
- Tinted or Frosted Glass: Provides privacy and can add a decorative element.
- Edge Finishing
- Polished Edges: Enhance the visual appeal and reduce the risk of injury. Our glass, as standard, comes polished all round.
- Bevelled Edges: Add a decorative touch to the balustrade.
Maintenance and Durability
- Cleaning: Regular cleaning with appropriate glass cleaners will maintain clarity and appearance.
- Weather Resistance: For external balustrades, ensure the glass and fittings are resistant to weather conditions to prevent degradation over time.
Choosing the correct glass for your balustrade involves balancing safety, aesthetics, and compliance with regulations. By understanding the properties of toughened and laminated glass, considering thickness and height requirements, and integrating design preferences, you can select a balustrade that is both beautiful and secure.
Need expert help?
Call us on 0208 187 1467
Or email us on sales@balustradesuperstore.co.uk
