TRANSFORMING HOMES SINCE 2007
MADE IN BRITAIN
NATIONWIDE SUPPLY & INSTALL SERVICE
Frameless Views – The Magic of a Glass Balustrade
Lifestyle
A glass balustrade is more than just a safety feature; it’s a design element that effortlessly combines elegance and practicality. Its sleek, transparent structure allows natural light to flood interiors, creating a smooth connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Whether you’re upgrading a balcony, staircase, or terrace, a glass balustrade adds a modern, sophisticated touch while providing the durability and security you need.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits, practical considerations, and how a glass balustrade can redefine your property.
What is a Balustrade?
Simply put, a balustrade is a type of railing held up by balusters designed to provide support and prevent falls; something you’ll find on staircases, balconies, terraces, and even around pools. But unlike traditional railings, a glass balustrade swaps bulky materials for sleek glass panels, delivering the same (if not better) safety benefits with a more modern and unobtrusive look.
So, why do so many people love glass balustrades? For starters, they invite more natural light into your space and offer clear, uninterrupted views of the outdoors; no more feeling closed in by heavy railings. And if you really want to maximise that open, airy atmosphere, a frameless glass balustrade takes it to the next level, eliminating visual barriers while still meeting top safety standards.
For a stylish home upgrade or a refined commercial look, glass balustrades provide the perfect blend of safety and sophistication.
Where & When is a Balustrade Required?
In the UK, balustrade regulations are set out in Document K of the Building Regulations. These regulations ensure that balustrades are safe and provide adequate protection from falls.
Here’s a condensed overview:
- Staircases & Landings: Required for drops over 600mm, with a minimum height of 900mm.
- Balconies & Terraces: Required for raised platforms over 600mm, with a typical height of 1100mm.
- Windows: Balustrades may be required for windows above 2 meters to prevent falls.
- Load Resistance: Compliance with BS 6180 for structural stability.
- Gaps & Openings: No gap should allow a 100mm sphere to pass through.
- Commercial Buildings: Stricter regulations, especially for public safety.
For more details, you can review the full guidelines in Approved Document K here.
The Benefits of a Glass Balustrade
1) Superior Safety & Durability
As we’ve mentioned, safety is the top priority when it comes to balustrades, and a glass balustrade doesn’t disappoint. When manufactured with laminated double glazing, glass balustrades are extremely strong and resistant to breakage even in tough weather conditions like high winds and heavy rain.
At Express, our integrated glass balustrade system features two 8mm sheets of glass with a 1.5mm laminate film, all paired with a sturdy aluminium subframe that fits seamlessly with your windows and doors. This combination not only looks great but is built to last, providing the durability and safety you need. Plus, we put our balustrades through rigorous testing to ensure they meet BS 6180 standards, so you can enjoy the beauty of glass while knowing it’s manufactured to perform for years.
2) Bringing the Outdoors In
One of the best things about a glass balustrade is how it lets natural light pour into your home, making it feel bright and airy. The clear glass removes any barriers, giving the illusion of more space and blurring the line between your indoor and outdoor areas.
If you go for a frameless design, you get even better views with no rails to block your gorgeous garden or scenic landscape. It’s especially fantastic on those colder days when you want to cosy up indoors but still enjoy the beauty of nature right outside your window.
3) Ventilation
A built-in balcony glass balustrade is the perfect way to boost ventilation in upper-level spaces like gyms, game rooms, glass atriums, and modern bedrooms. While our French doors can also work with our glass balustrade systems, for the best airflow, we recommend our Horizon tilt and turn windows. These can be installed as full-height openings that tilt inward for controlled ventilation, or as dual-opening sashes that give you maximum airflow.
This design is superb for keeping your home feeling fresh and reducing condensation. Pair these windows with a frameless glass balustrade system, and you’ve got secure ventilation, stunning views, and a sleek, modern look that truly adds to the appeal of your property.
4) Low Maintenance & Long Lasting
Choosing a glass balustrade instead of a wooden or composite option is an investment in longevity and everyday ease! No need to worry about treatments, wood rot or constant replacements, a glass balustrade system will provide you with the aesthetics you desire but more importantly the reliable long term safety requirements you demand; especially when paired with premium aluminium profiles.
To keep it looking as good as new and to maximise the natural light coming through use any basic glass cleaner and clean microfibre cloth to wipe down your balustrade in minutes. Even if you have a few scratches or marks over time, polishing up the glass is a lot easier and convenient than dealing with damage to wood or composite.
5) Highly Customisable
After investing in the rest of your property, you want to make sure every detail is just right, including your balustrade. Don’t settle for a generic material option that could take away from the overall aesthetic of your space! A glass balustrade offers the flexibility to match your exterior exactly, especially when you work with the right manufacturers and installers.
At Express, we specialise in creating bespoke glass balustrade systems tailored to your exact needs. Just like our other products, whether it’s bifold doors, sliding doors, or tilt and turn windows, we make sure your balustrade is designed to complement your vision. So, if you’re adding a modern, minimalist touch to your home or bringing a sleek, contemporary feel to a period property, we’ll work with you to craft a glass balustrade that fits perfectly and brings out the best in your space.
6) Eco-Friendly
When it comes to sustainable living, every little detail counts, and glass is a great choice because it’s infinitely recyclable. By installing a glass balustrade, you’re not only making your home greener, but you’re also adding a feature that could boost your property’s value!
And if you really want to go the extra mile, choosing Express takes sustainability even further. We use aluminium for all our subframes and profiles, a super durable and highly recyclable metal. Lightweight, strong, and built to last, it’s a great choice for creating an eco-friendly balustrade system that stands the test of time.
Why Invest in Our Unique Glass Balustrade System?
Full-height glazing is one of the most popular trends in modern home renovation, especially when it comes to upper floors. These expansive glass windows and doors offer incredible views and bring lots of light into your home, but they also require a safe and sturdy balustrade. That’s where our innovative glass balustrade system comes in!
Designed to blend flawlessly with our bespoke windows and doors, this fully integrated system creates a polished look for your balcony, offering both safety and style. Whether you’re opting for tilt and turn windows or French doors, paired with a virtually frameless Juliet balcony, we’ll ensure everything matches your specific design and colour preferences.
The best part? Our built-in balustrade system cuts down on the number of suppliers you need to deal with, simplifying the entire process. And with our one-visit installation, we save you time and hassle, so your home renovation stays on track. It’s a complete package, with everything taken care of, leaving you to enjoy the results!
Here’s why our frameless glass balustrades stand out:
- Fully tested to BS6180 standards.
- Comprised of 2 x 8 mm sheets of glass with a 1.5 mm laminate film for extra durability.
- Standard RAL colours of RAL 7016 anthracite grey and RAL 9005 jet black, plus any other RAL colour available to match your Express Bi-Folding windows and doors.
- Secured with M8x20 Stainless Steel Screws for a sturdy, long-lasting hold.
- Thermally broken aluminium subframes for added strength.
- No top or bottom rails to block your beautiful view; just clean, uninterrupted glass.
- A balcony system fixed into the main structure of the building.
- Ideally designed to sit in front of full-height French doors and tilt-and-turn windows on upper floors.
Still not sure? Why not take a look at our previous work on the Summerhill Cheshire property to view the kind of results our products can deliver. We’re confident you’ll love what you see!
Visit Us Today!
A glass balustrade isn’t just a safety feature; it’s a simple way to bring in more light, open up your views, and give your home a fresh, modern feel. Whether you’re looking for tilt and turn windows or French doors paired with a virtually frameless Juliet balcony, our unique integrated glass balustrade systems are built to last and fit effortlessly into your space.
Come and see for yourself! Visit our showrooms to explore our glass balustrades and Juliet balcony doors in person.
