Important Specifications That Need To Be Followed For Frameless Glass Balustrading

Frameless glass balustrading technique has become a popular choice among homeowners in the recent years. The glass walls provide an extra dimension to homes. This type of balustrade has no visible joints or partitions, which add dramatic effect to patios, doors, stairways, and around homes. The frameless glass balustrade is a design that delights many people, while few may not enjoy this option so much.

If the balustrade glass panels are not just used an infill panel, but are the actual structure of the balustrade, then it is referred to as structural glass balustrade. This type of balustrade is referred as frameless glass balustrade or a cantilevered glass balustrade.

Two basic engineering principles are used while installing these balustrades. A strong base that can hold thick and heavy glass panels and loads imposed on it.

The base of the structural glass balustrade is known as the shoe profile, is the most important part of the balustrade. A strong ‘U’ channel is made by aluminum extrusions or any other strong metal. The glass is then fixed on the extrusions either with the help of epoxy glue or a cement type material. The base profiles can be fixed by various materials to the balcony structure. Shoe profiles are customized to ensure that loading and fixing can withstand the large loads of the glass panels.

In general a balustrade is made of 10mm toughened glass, but the structured glass balustrade requires a thicker glass. A minimum of 15 mm toughened glass must be used for homes. A thicker glass of 19 mm to 25 mm is needed for public areas like bars, restaurants, discotheques and malls. Since the glass used for the balustrades is very thick, the structural glass balustrade has a greenish shade to it.

If you wish to install a glass balustrade, it is better to go for the best quality of glass and metal fixtures for safety purposes.