Stainless steel glass balustrade at Fribrocks Bil

How do you create an open car showroom with glass balustrades?

In a car showroom, it is important that the interior design complements the products on display. The railings by the stairs and on the mezzanine level need to create clear boundaries without visually dividing the space or obstructing the view of the showroom floor.

For Fribrocks Bil, the goal was to combine a modern aesthetic with a railing solution that suited the space’s open floor plan. By using glass instead of solid railing panels, the view between floors was preserved and natural light could pass through the structure.

Stainless steel was chosen to give the balustrade a sleek finish that harmonises with the showroom’s modern interior. Together with clear glass, the material creates a discreet frame in which the cars remain the focus.

What type of balustrade was used at Fribrocks Bil?

The choice fell on Prime stainless steel glass balustrade, a system that combines stainless steel posts with glass infill and the option of a top rail. The model was used for both the straight balustrade section on the mezzanine level and the staircase connecting the floors.

The project included a total of 27 metres of railing and a custom staircase design in which the glass, posts, and top rail were to follow the slope of the stairs.

Project and location

A railing solution for Fribrocks Bil's showroom in Ängelholm, with a focus on openness and a consistent design across the space's different levels.

Scope of the project

A total of 27 metres of railing, consisting of 12 metres of staircase balustrade and 15 metres of straight railing sections.

Railing model

Prime, a glass balustrade with stainless steel posts and top rail, giving the staircase and the mezzanine level a cohesive frame.

Custom stair solution

The railing was designed to follow the slope of the staircase to create a natural visual flow between the floors.

Delivery and installation

In this customer project, we were responsible for both the delivery and on-site installation of the railings and handrails.

Why does a stainless steel glass balustrade suit a car showroom or dealership?

A glass balustrade with stainless details can be a natural choice for an exhibition space where materials, lighting, and architecture are meant to contribute to a modern overall look. The combination of transparent glass and metal provides a minimalist frame without creating a solid visual barrier.

At Fribrocks Bil, the glass balustrade helps maintain the connection between the mezzanine level and the showroom floor below. Visitors can get an overview of the space, while the balustrade marks the change in level and follows the design of the building.

The finish of stainless steel also works well with many of the materials common in modern showrooms, such as glass, metal and light or neutral surfaces. The result is a balustrade that complements the interior rather than competing with it.

How are glass balustrades combined on staircases and mezzanine levels?

When the same balustrade system is used along both a staircase and a mezzanine level, the different surfaces can create a cohesive look. This is particularly important in open spaces where the entire staircase and the upper floor’s railing are visible at the same time.

In the project at Fribrocks Bil, straight railing sections along the mezzanine level were combined with a staircase balustrade that was adapted to the staircase’s slope. Glass panels, posts, and top rail had to work together to create a natural transition between the different parts of the structure.

With a solution like this, accurate measuring is important. The slope of the stairs, the landings, the fixing points and the finish of the top rail all affect both the balustrade’s function and the visual result.

By using the same materials and design language throughout the railing system, a cohesive line is created that follows the staircase up to the mezzanine level.

What is the role of the top rail on a stainless steel glass balustrade?

The top rail is an important part of the balustrade’s visual design. It creates a clear finish along the top edge of the glass and can help tie together straight balustrade sections and staircase balustrades.

In Fribrocks Bil’s showroom, a top rail was used to give the glass balustrade a cohesive look between the mezzanine level and the staircase. The stainless steel finish works with the posts and strengthens the balustrade’s modern character.

Depending on the balustrade system and its use, top rails may be available in different materials and finishes. If the top rail is also to serve as a handrail or have a structural function, this must be part of the design and assessment of the specific solution.

How can stainless steel glass balustrades be fixed to different substrates?

The fixing of a glass balustrade needs to be adapted to the structure of the substrate, the position of the balustrade and how the area will be used. For balustrades with stainless steel posts, both top fixing and side fixing can be options, depending on the product version and the conditions of the project.

With top fixing, the posts are anchored to the upper face of the load-bearing substrate. With side fixing, the fixings are placed along the outer face of the structure, which in some cases can help preserve more usable floor area.

When planning for stairs, the slope and the connections between different levels must also be taken into account. It is important that the balustrade’s posts, glass and fixings work together and that the substrate has sufficient load-bearing capacity for the intended use.

What do you need to consider for the safety of glass balustrades on a mezzanine level?

A glass balustrade on a mezzanine level needs to be suited to the building’s structure, the drop height and how the space is used. In commercial premises where visitors and staff move between levels, it is particularly important that the balustrade’s glass, posts and fixings form a suitable whole.

Laminated safety glass was supplied to Fribrocks Bil. It consists of glass panes bonded together with an interlayer. If the glass breaks, the interlayer helps hold the pieces together, which is an important property in many balustrade constructions.

The glass build-up and fixing that are suitable must always be assessed in relation to the whole balustrade system. For staircases, the slope of the balustrade, its ends and any requirements for handrails must also be considered.

How do you maintain stainless steel glass balustrades in commercial premises?

Stainless steel has good resistance to corrosion and is often used in balustrades and handrails. The material can be combined with glass to create a modern, easy-to-clean surface that suits many interior settings.

In a car dealership or showroom, railings can be exposed to fingerprints, dust, and frequent contact. Glass surfaces and stainless details should therefore be cleaned as needed using products and methods appropriate for each material.

Fixings and other structural components must also be checked in line with the product instructions and the premises’ maintenance routines. Regular inspection helps to identify any damage or changes in the condition of the balustrade.

What does the project show about glass balustrades in modern exhibition spaces?

The project at Fribrocks Bil demonstrates how a stainless steel glass balustrade can create a cohesive framework for both the staircase and the mezzanine level without compromising the open feel of the space. With Prime, transparent glass, stainless posts, and top rail were combined into a solution that complements the car showroom’s modern interior.

The 27-metre-long railing also demonstrates the importance of designing straight sections and staircase balustrades as parts of the same whole. When materials, slopes, and details are adapted to the building’s specific conditions, the railing can become a natural part of the architecture while allowing the exhibition space to retain its visual openness.