Height-adjustable glass combines a fixed panel with a movable section. Raise the glass for more shelter and lower it to open up the view. It suits decks, terraces and patios where wind conditions change throughout the day or season, giving you control over when you need shelter.
You can adjust the height to suit the weather, gain shelter without a permanently tall glass screen and retain the view. Depending on the model, gas struts assist with raising and lowering the panel. Position the windbreak where shelter is most needed. The larger exposed glass area when raised means the posts, fixings and supporting structure must be designed for the wind loads.
The most common options are clear, opaque (opal) and tinted glass. Some systems also offer extra-clear and coloured glass. Your choice depends on the views, natural light, privacy and appearance you want. Clear glass preserves views and daylight, while extra-clear glass has less of a green tint.
Opal glass lets daylight through while obscuring details. Tinted glass, such as grey glass, creates a darker appearance and can offer some additional privacy. These glass options are also available for windbreaks. You can combine glass types in one project, for example clear glass facing the view and opal glass facing a neighbouring property.
Glass used in balustrades is designed to withstand normal seasonal changes, from summer heat to cold and frost. Glass panels may also flex slightly under wind loads without this necessarily indicating a fault. The effects depend on the glass type, panel size, fixings and edge finish. The glass is specified for outdoor use.
Rapid or substantial changes in temperature put more stress on glass than gradual changes – for example, when one part of a panel is warmed by the sun while the rest remains cold. Some movement in larger glass panels in windy conditions is normal and depends on their size, thickness and fixings. Frost alone should not cause a correctly specified glass balustrade to crack. The glass, fittings and fixings must all be suitable for the location.
No. Privacy screens and windbreaks serve different purposes, although one product can sometimes do both. A privacy screen reduces views into a space, while a windbreak provides shelter by reducing the wind reaching a deck, balcony or patio. The right choice depends on which issue matters most to you.
Position a privacy screen where people can see into your space and choose screening that provides sufficient privacy, such as frosted glass or closely spaced slats. A windbreak should be designed for the prevailing wind direction and height, with fixings suitable for the wind loads. Frosted or tinted glass can provide both shelter and privacy, while clear glass offers shelter without obstructing the view. Start with the problem you most want to solve.
A windbreak works best when its height, length and position are planned around the prevailing wind and where you sit. It is often more effective to screen the most exposed side than to enclose an entire deck or balcony. Visit the space on a windy day to see where shelter is needed most.
A windbreak should provide shelter where you sit, but taller is not always better. An L-shaped screen can reduce side winds that would otherwise come around the corner. Glass creates shelter without blocking natural light and can work even on small balconies. Larger, taller glass panels are exposed to greater wind forces, so the glass, posts, fixings and supporting structure must be considered together.
This depends on the height, design and position of the screen, as well as local requirements. A tall, solid screen may be treated differently from an open balustrade, while adding a screen to a balcony may change a building’s appearance. Check with the relevant local authority and, where applicable, the property owner before ordering.
A low, transparent screen may be assessed differently from a tall, solid one, and its position near a property boundary or a road can also matter. On balconies in blocks of flats, taller panels or replacing clear glass with frosted glass may affect the building's appearance. If your property is subject to leasehold or building-management restrictions, check what changes are permitted. A tall screen is also exposed to greater wind forces and must be designed accordingly.
The stability of a glass windbreak depends on the glass, posts, fittings and fixings being designed for the wind loads at the site. The whole structure matters, not just the thickness of the glass. Thicker glazing alone cannot compensate for inadequate supports or fixings.
A tall windbreak on an exposed balcony or terrace is subject to greater wind forces than a lower screen in a sheltered position. Its fixings must therefore be anchored to a load-bearing structure, as decking boards, paving slabs and other surface finishes may not be sufficient. If the screen moves or vibrates noticeably in strong winds, check the fixings, posts and brackets.
Windbreak prices depend mainly on length, height, glass type, posts and fixings. Two windbreaks of the same length may cost different amounts because of their height, specification and components. The configurator shows the price for your project. Glass choice can make a significant difference.
Corners and made-to-measure dimensions may require additional components, while the supporting structure determines the fixings needed. Choosing a fixed or height-adjustable windbreak also affects the final price. For a fair comparison, look at dimensions, glass type and construction – not just the cost per metre.
A glass windbreak can turn a breezy patio into an outdoor space you can enjoy more often. Glass reduces wind exposure while preserving daylight and views, and the same structure can also serve as a balustrade where suitably designed. We make every windbreak to measure at our factory in Ängelholm.
A full-height glass balustrade can provide effective shelter from wind while preserving the view. Solid screens may create turbulence directly behind them, so positioning matters, particularly on larger decks. On exposed balconies, full-height glazing can help reduce draughts and make the space more comfortable.
Higher balconies are often more exposed to the wind. A full-height glass balustrade provides shelter while allowing daylight through. Frosted or grey glass can also offer additional privacy.
For decks and patios, you can choose glass balustrades that provide shelter, including the aluminium system Forma in available RAL colours and the stainless steel Prime system. Stand on the deck on a windy day to identify the prevailing wind direction – this will help you decide where the windbreak should go and how high it needs to be. A freestanding screen set across the wind direction may work well when the wind comes from the side.
With Flex, you can adjust your wind protection to suit the weather. On calm days, it functions as a glass balustrade with an open view. When the wind picks up, raise the glass sections to create shelter.
A windbreak reduces airflow, and clear glass can provide shelter just as well as frosted glass. A privacy screen reduces visibility and therefore needs frosted, tinted or opaque material. If you want both functions, full-height opal or grey glass can combine shelter and privacy in one design.
A glass windbreak catches the wind much like a sail. Posts and fixings must therefore be designed for the wind loads and matched to the supporting structure and substrate. Depending on the product, we use laminated safety glass. 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 cost depends on the length, height, glass type and system. A fixed full-height glass balustrade is generally the lower-cost option, while the height-adjustable Flex system offers additional functionality. The configurator updates the price as you make your selections. Each order is supplied as a complete kit with installation instructions.
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