Glass railing design for the balcony is an eye-catching element in any office or residential environment. They eliminate visual barriers and open up floors, rooms, and mezzanines into bright, wide spaces by maximizing light and thus opening up an environment.
Frosting allows for appealing, efficient customization or branding, and their simple construction blends in with any minimalist, modern design scheme.
Unfortunately, many people would choose not to use glass when building open-concept spaces. Usually, it’s due to apprehensions about their own safety. Glass has a reputation for being delicate, easily shattered, and dangerous. In fact, choosing glass balustrades carries minimal risk. The many regulations and specifications surrounding the construction and design of glass railings will be examined in this blog and what makes the interior glass railing systems a robust, attractive, and SAFE choice.
Are Glass Balustrades Safe?
Balustrades that have been professionally designed and are in compliance with the law are extremely secure. Adding a railing, banister, or barrier to a staircase, mezzanine, or balcony will often increase its protection, regardless of the material used.
A variety of building codes exist solely to ensure public safety. Among them is the one that specifies the specifications for barriers in residential and industrial buildings, as well as the basic requirements for glass barriers. It defines the type of glass required, the required height for a balustrade, and several other glass balustrade regulations. You can trust that any glass railing design for the balcony you install would be one of the safest choices available as long as these rules.
What Type of Glass is used for Glass Balustrades?
The type of glass used to make glass balustrades is one of the most important factors in their protection. Another critical consideration is the thickness. That’s why building codes spell out exactly what is and isn’t appropriate for use in construction balustrades. The regulations allow the use of two types of safety glass:
- Toughened or tempered glass
- Laminated glass
The most common form is toughened or tempered glass. It’s created by rapidly cooling a glass that’s been exposed to a very high sun, about 700°C. This is known as ‘quenching,’ and it only takes about 60 seconds to complete. This method, despite its speed, can increase the strength of glass by up to four times by locking tension in the inner core.
Tempered glass is tough to crack during treatment. The way it splits is also altered by the operation. Tempered glass can break entirely into tiny, granular fragments rather than splintering into sharp, harmful shards. These pieces’ smaller size and smooth edges make them much simpler to clean up, ensuring that no jagged edges remain in frames or clips.
Laminated glass is a different form of glass that can be used. A thin layer of plastic is sandwiched between two layers of glass to create this effect. It implies that if one layer fails, the second should remain intact.
Is a Handrail Needed for a Glass Balustrade?
Without a handrail, a frameless or cantilever glass balustrade is possible. However, specific guidelines on the form of glass may be used without a frame or handrail; the balustrade must remain secure even though a portion of it breaks. This normally entails the use of laminated and toughened glass.
Advantages of Glass Railing Design for Balcony
Glass balustrades are not only a protected option, but they are also the only option. The advantages of glass balustrades in terms of safety
- They’re long-lasting, and robust
Glass is a tough substance that doesn’t break down over time. Glass, unlike wood or stone, will not rust or crumble throughout its existence. It is also resistant to rodents and pets and will not be harmed by water penetration.
- They’re tough and difficult to crack
Toughened glass, as previously said, is tough to crack. Wood can splinter, and a single spindle can break. The stress of any impact is distributed over a much larger region with glass, which reduces the severity of the impact.
- They are transparent
Transparency of glass is a significant design element as well as a possible safety advantage. It gives you a clearer view of what’s going on in every stairwell or balcony, as well as a better sense of height.
Conclusion
Choosing glass balustrades is a no-compromise decision. They make a sleek design statement while still maximizing light and space. They are sturdy, stable, and absolutely safe. Glass railing design for the balcony is extremely child-friendly. To avoid being visually overwhelming, wooden or metal railing and banister choices are built with slats and gaps. This poses a significant danger to willing little fingers or limbs. Glass balustrades may be built with openings that are too tiny for any miniature body parts to fall through or get trapped in, eliminating the need for a bulky, unsightly wall of material to obstruct your home’s flow.
