Yes, glass balustrades can be used as fall protection on balconies, terraces, and in public spaces, but it is the entire structure that determines safety. The glass, fixings, profiles, and substrate must be sized to accommodate the site’s intended use and load. When installed correctly, glass is a safe choice.
Laminated safety glass It stays intact if it breaks, and the glass lacks horizontal sections that could serve as footholds. A frameless glass balustrade is not automatically less safe than one with posts. The manufacturing process is certified according to EN 1090-1 and is continuously monitored by RISE. The requirements regarding height and openings depend on local building codes.
In some cases, you may be able to replace existing balcony balustrade glass with privacy glazing yourself, particularly where the balustrade already has posts and glass clamps. The replacement glass must be suitable for the existing system and must not compromise its safety. Depending on the installation, replacing the glass panels may be sufficient.
Check that the replacement glass dimensions suit the spacing between posts, that the clamps and rubber inserts are compatible with the glass thickness, and that the posts are secure. Opal glass offers privacy while admitting daylight. Larger panels should be handled by two people, ideally using suitable glass lifters. If you are changing more than the glass, check the structural fixings first.
In a glass balustrade, safety glass is used, which is tailored to the railing’s design, glass dimensions, fixing, and load. Common options include laminated ,safety glass, and toughened ,laminated glass, and the entire system determines which one is needed. The glass is selected based on the entire balustrade system.
Laminated glass consists of two glass panes bonded by an interlayer that helps hold the fragments together if the glass breaks. Toughened laminated glass is used where the system requires greater strength, such as for larger panels or exposed locations. If a pane cracks, it should be made safe and replaced because its properties have changed.
A pendulum impact test is a standardised test in accordance with EN 12600 that demonstrates how safety glass withstands a strong impact and how it behaves if it breaks. The glass is struck by a pendulum-mounted impact body dropped from specified heights, and the results show both the load level and the fracture pattern.
For glass balustrades, impact testing matters because people or objects may strike the glass. Safety glass should be strong and break in a controlled way. The test helps distinguish laminated from toughened glass. It assesses the glass, not the whole balustrade – fixings, posts and other components must also be correctly specified.
The right fixings depend on how the glass is supported, where the balustrade is installed and the look you want. Common options include glass clamps, point fixings, base channels and certain types of floor fixing. Glass clamps hold the glass without holes in the panels and can be used with posts or walls.
Point fixings pass through pre-drilled holes in the glass and minimise visible fittings, but require panels with correctly positioned holes. A base channel supports the glass along its bottom edge and is used for frameless glass balustrades. The glass dimensions and specification, substrate and fixings must be compatible as a complete system.
Not every balustrade requires a top rail or a separate handrail. This depends on its design, intended use and applicable requirements. It is important to distinguish between a balustrade, which provides protection against falls, and a handrail, which provides something to grip.
Frameless glass balustrades may be designed without a top rail where the system and applicable requirements allow. On stairs, a suitable handrail is often needed for support. On decking and balconies, a top rail may form part of the balustrade design.
How close to the edge a side-mounted glass balustrade can be installed depends on the material of the substrate, fixing, and the load. There is no single edge clearance that works for all railings and substrates, so the distance is determined based on the design. The correct distance protects both the substrate and the railing.
In concrete, the fastener must be placed far enough from the edge so that the load does not cause cracks; the distance depends on the type and size of the fastener, the concrete, and the load on the balustrade. In wood, the most important thing is that the fastener reaches a load-bearing stud or beam. The profile or post must be supported against the substrate. Check the substrate and the distance from the edge before drilling.
The suitable glass thickness depends on the panel size, balustrade system, fixings and loads. Common laminated glass thicknesses used in balustrades include 8.76 mm (two 4 mm panes) and 12.76 mm (two 6 mm panes). Thicker glass is not automatically better or safer.
The glass and fixings must be specified to work together. Consider the post spacing, glass height, type of clamps or profiles and whether the glass is laminated or toughened laminated. The finished glass panel must be slightly smaller than the opening between posts to allow for fittings and installation tolerances.
A glass balustrade provides a modern, open feel whether installed on a deck, balcony, indoor staircase or around a pool. It preserves the view and natural light while helping to reduce wind exposure. We manufacture every glass balustrade to your measurements at our factory in Ängelholm, so it fits your installation area.
On a deck, glass preserves views of the garden, lake or sea. On balconies, glass balustrades combine fall protection with wind shelter and, with the right glazing, can provide privacy. Indoors, they allow light to pass between floors, while full glass panels avoid gaps between infill bars. For doors opening without a balcony platform, explore our Juliet balconies. We also supply glass balustrades for pools and commercial spaces such as hotels and restaurants.
Clear glass offers the least obstructed view. Grey-tinted glass reduces light transmission slightly and can complement darker façades. Frosted opal glass lets daylight through while obscuring the view, making it an option for privacy screening.
Depending on the product, we use laminated safety glass made from two panes bonded together with a PVB interlayer that helps retain fragments if the glass breaks. Glass thickness is selected according to the loads involved: 8.76 mm laminated glass is used for many decks and patios, while we recommend 12.76 mm toughened and laminated glass for pool areas, exposed locations and Juliet balconies.
The manufacturing process is certified to EN 1090-1. Production is regularly monitored by RISE, with a focus on traceability, quality and the manufacturing process.
The price depends on the glass type, system and overall length. Our 8.76 mm laminated glass option is generally more economical than 12.76 mm toughened laminated glass. Frameless Vista is a premium option, while post-supported systems such as Arcus generally cost less. Fewer corners and longer straight runs can lower the price per metre. See your price directly in our 3D configurator.
Your glass balustrade is supplied as a complete kit with made-to-measure glass panels, posts, fixings and installation instructions. Fixings must always be suitable for the supporting substrate and load-bearing structure.
Your basket will be emptied if you change country.
