Choose a Frameless Glass Balustrade from FGC and enjoy all be benefits of a contemporary feature in your home, inside and out. If you are thinking about renovating a patio, your staircase or you have a flat roof terrace you want to enjoy; our frameless glass balustrades could provide the solution in your home. We answer the most common Frameless Glass Balustrades Frequently Asked Questions.
Information about frameless glass balustrades.
Here’s what you should know about frameless glass balustrades. You can contact us via our website or visit our factory and offices in Chatham, Kent.
At FGC our stylish balustrade systems are professionally installed and guaranteed to enhance your home. We work with you to ensure you get the most suitable glass and metal combination with the most beautiful glass and excellent grade of metal, fixtures and fittings.
What is a frameless glass Balustrade?
A balustrade is made from quality toughened safety glass with metal fixtures and fittings attached to a metal handrail. Choose from post and rail systems, wire rope balustrades, all glass systems or decorative glass button designs. Our quality frameless glass balustrades are made in the UK.
Are frameless balustrades suitable for the home?
Absolutely. We have installed these in many residential properties, on flat roofs, as a replacement for old wooden stair bannisters and rails as well as to create a visual barrier and decorative outside patio. You can use our balustrades where internal levels change and in stairwells.
Our frameless glass balustrades are chosen for their quality making them suitable for inside or outside your home. They’re also ideal for bars, shops, restaurants and offices.
What colours are available in frameless glass balustrades?
Our frameless glass balustrades are chosen for the contemporary appearance and this glass and metal work best. We offer satin or polished metals. For the glass, this is clear although obscure or sandblasted glass can be provided on special order.
If you like the chrome effect, we recommend our mirror polished finish.
Do metal balustrades rust?
All metals such as stainless steel will eventually corrode or rust. This depends on the exposure of the balustrade and the routine care and maintenance. Stainless steel remains one of the best options for balustrade systems but will require some maintenance such as regular cleaning with the correct cleaning solutions. Routine cleaning will preserve the life of the metal.
What grade of stainless steel do glass balustrades have?
The grade of steel is chosen to suit the application. There is 304-grade steel or the more durable marine grade 316. 316 stainless steel is suggested for external applications and 304 internally.
What is the quality of balustrade fixtures and fittings?
The fixtures and components used in our frameless glass balustrades are designed for safety first and foremost. You are guaranteed a professional installation with the best quality fixtures and fittings as well as experienced installers that are trained in this specialist product.
All our products vary, but the design is based on bespoke channels, toughened single glass and optional top handrails.
Where do you fit external balustrades?
One of the reasons you choose our frameless slide and fold doors is the big glass panels and minimal frame that connect the inside of your home to the outside. Our balustrades are no exception.
Outside we have fitted our balustrades to balconies, decking areas, provided railings to section off a garden and they look great in front of first floor Juliet Balcony doors or to a barrier on a flat roof. Contact us with your ideas, and we can help.
Don’t forget the handrails and glass are superior quality for outdoor use, the winter climate and the summer sunshine. The grade of metal can be chosen to meet your particular project. All our frameless glass balustrades meet the appropriate British Standards and Building Regulations where they apply.
What is the length of a balustrade handrail?
All our balustrades are bespoke to suit your home. If you are looking for a long handrail, the maximum length is six metres. The bannister ends feature a purpose-designed end cap or plug which comes as a domed, grooved or tapered design.
Do I have to have glass with a frameless balustrade?
As well as glass, there is the option of 4mm steel wire, metal tubes or bars.
How thick is the glass on frameless balustrades?
The glass in your balustrades is designed to suit the installation with safety first with great aesthetics. The thinnest glass available is 10mm thick toughened glass that is immensely strong. We can even provide other glass thicknesses right up to 21mm. The option of laminated glass is available as well. Glass comes in a maximum of 1.2m square.
What is the difference between laminated and toughened glass?
Laminated glass is the windscreen of a car, and toughened glass is on the side and rear windows. Toughened safety glass is up to five times stronger than ordinary glass meaning it is much more resistant to force before it breaks. The thicker the glass, the harder this is. Should toughened glass break it becomes thousands of small pieces of glass that are far less dangerous than glass shards.
Laminated glass is ordinary glass but two panes sandwiched over a plastic inner layer. Should the glass break there the plastic layer ensures it is held together with no glass shards and the whole piece stays together even though it is broken.
What is the ideal height for a balustrade?
We work to the highest standards and current Building Regulations. Building regulations state balustrades should be 900mm high on stairs and 1100mm elsewhere.
If you would like further information, contact us today for a free quotation.
