Glass balustrades are a modern addition to any area of your home. They can be used as a railing for balconies, decks, terraces, staircases and flat roof areas and create a stylish and safe feature that adds value to your property.
A key benefit of a glass balcony is that it does not block views like other traditional materials, such as metal or wood, do. This allows light to flow freely through the area and make rooms appear bigger. Glass is also a good option for staircases, as it helps people to see the steps better and reduces the risk of falls.
Another reason why people choose glass is that it looks very sleek and modern. A glass balcony can look great on its own or be combined with other materials such as stainless steel, timber and stone. This can create a truly beautiful and unique design that will make your home stand out from the rest.
The sturdiness of glass is also an important factor to consider when choosing the right glass for your balcony. Unlike other materials, such as wood or wrought iron, glass is not affected by moisture or humidity and it will not warp or crack with age. It is also highly durable, able to resist a wide range of temperatures and can be fitted with a variety of fittings.
When you’re looking for a glass balcony, you should choose a type that is made from thick and toughened safety glass. This is typically bonded together with a PVC or polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. This is known as laminated safety glass and is more than double the thickness of normal plate glass. It is very difficult to break and if it does, it will fragment into minuscule chunks that are safely held within the laminated panel.
Depending on the application and requirements, glass balustrades can be frameless, point fixed or fixed using structural adhesives. IQ’s standard structural glass specification for frameless glass balconies meets all the required load requirements including line loads, UDL and concentrated loads, as well as building regulations for residential use (Building Occupancy Class 1 and 2).
Glass balustrades are safe to use in areas where people will be moving around freely, such as open plan living areas and dining rooms. The strong, tempered glass used in these structures can easily withstand any pressure that is put on it and will not shatter into dangerous sharp shards, which makes them ideal for areas where young children might be present. They can also be used as a space divider in areas that are at different floor levels to prevent people from tripping or falling over each other. This can be particularly useful where staircases and mezzanines are situated, as well as for pool fences and around balconies.