What glass do I need for my frameless glass balustrade?

Installation scenarios are all different and there are a range of different glass options for you to choose from.  Luckily the glass thickness are straight forward depending on the installation i.e. internal or external,  residential or commercial.  These are: 12mm, 15mm, 17.5mm, 19mm and 21.5mm.  25.5mm is also used for heavy commercial installations when a 3kN loading is needed.

The main element to remember is that what ever installation you have you need to form a ‘double barrier’ or ‘secondary barrier’.  This means if you don’t want a handrail on you glass balustrade you need to go for a laminate glass.  If you choose a mono glass you’ll need a handrail on the glass.  

Installation scenarios all require different loadings and require different glass thicknesses depending on where they are.   Here is a brief guide;

Stairs & landings in domestic installation (internal)  = 12mm toughened or 17.5mm toughened laminate

Balconies in domestic installation (external) = 15mm toughened or 21.5mm toughened laminate

Light commercial (small offices) = 15mm toughened or 21.5mm toughened laminate

Restaurants & bars (places where higher volume of people) = 19mm toughened or 21.5mm toughened laminate (sentry glass)