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.

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.

Should glass balustrades have a handrail?

BS 6180:2011 states that a continuous handrail should always be used for balustrades unless they’re made of toughened laminated glass. This means it isn’t a legal requirement for glass balustrades to have a handrail, as long as the glass is strong enough to remain ‘in situ’ on its own.

Since toughened laminated glass has an extra layer in the middle that holds the pane together even if it cracks or shatters, it doesn’t need a secondary barrier. However, standard toughened glass is likely to need a secure frame and handrail to keep the panels in place.

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 on this product page, it’s the responsibility of the customer and not Express Toughening to comply with all standards and regulations, including BS 6180:2011 and BS 6399-1:1996. Approved Document K of the Building Regulations 2010 also specifies when and how handrails should be installed along stairs and ramps.

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.