Glass staircase balustrades What's the best solution for my project?

Glass Staircase Balustrades are a popular solution for both commercial and residential applications. Their popularity has increased over the years due to their sleek design and ability to let light flood into dark hallways and interior spaces.

Glass Staircase Balustrades are a popular solution for both commercial and residential applications. Their popularity has increased over the years due to their sleek design and ability to let light flood into dark hallways and interior spaces.

The aesthetic benefits of using a glass balustrade solution are great; light ‘airy’ interior spaces, clean lines with minimal disruption on the eye, but what about the detail? Does the client want the ‘all glass’ appeal with the absolute minimum glass hardware on show, a frameless system or a post system?

Aesthetics are clearly an important requirement; however, the technical requirements and performance are key. So how do you design a stunning glass staircase that appeases clients’ requirements yet conforms with regulations, and what do you need to consider.

Glass Balustrades

There are two most common options for glass staircase designs – frameless balustrade systems or using a post system.

A popular third option is a ‘point fixed’ fixing method for attaching the glass against the main structure, also referred to as a standoff. These are relatively small discreet fixings that are often used for the ‘all glass’ look. (See the main image)

One of the first considerations in detailing a glass balustrade solution is location and the surface or substrate it’s to be fixed to. For example a hotel balcony with access from one side, a post or point fixed system is going to be more difficult to install than a frameless system that allows installation from just one side – removing the need for cherry picker access at high level.