1. A Guide to Frameless
Glass Balustrade
Systems
Active Metal Pty Ltd
Office & Factory Address: 5-7
Salisbury St, Silverwater NSW
2128
Contact Number: 02 9648 3334
Email: sales@activemetal.com.au
2. The frameless glass balustrade is in
vogue in Australia and in many
countries. The sophistication and
improved safety of this balustrade
system raises any property’s appeal
and value.
Contrary to the belief that frameless
glass balustrades are all the same –
just glass and metal – there is
actually a proliferation of different
styles, sizes, glass thickness and
models on the market.
Parts
The Frameless Glass Balustrade
System has three main parts – glass
panels, steel frame, and handrail.
Toughened or laminated glass
is used to make the panels in
different thickness –
commonly 10 mm, 12 mm, 15
mm, and for qualified
manufacturers 19 mm or 25
mm. It can be either clear or
coloured and can be used on
balconies, stairwells, dividing
walls and pool fences.
The frame could be made of
aluminium or stainless steel
and with different thickness,
too.
The handrail could be made
of aluminium, brass, PVC,
stainless steel, or wood and
tailored to either the top or
side of the glass.
3. Designs
Designs can accommodate glass to
glass or post/wall to glass situations.
The maximum recommended size for
gates is 1200mm (h) x 1000mm (w)
and should consider wind conditions
in the region. The minimum
recommended thickness is 8mm
toughened safety glass.
As per frameless balustrading, pool
gates must follow Australian building
codes and regulations. The
Australian Standards for engineered
glass solutions in residential and
commercial buildings includes
installation practices found on the
website of the Glass and Glazing
Association of Australia.
Engineering Compliance
For public and commercial spaces,
Active Metal suggests turning the
glass manufacturing to specialists.
The job will require design
modelling for engineers’
compliance, specification and
certification. It also requires CAD
design work to ensure it will work
the surrounding finishes and meet
the expectations of the architect.
4. Designing and installing frameless
glass balustrades require the artisan’s
expertise to bring it all together with
a level of quality and finesse to
achieve client satisfaction. This is
easy with the help of specialists who
can follow the Australian Standards in
architectural glass use and the
client’s specifications.
The proper design and installation
along with the choice of materials
makes an investment like frameless
glass balustrade worth it.
Resources:
http://www.activemetal.com.au/fr
ameless-glass-balustrade-
systems.html
http://www.agga.org.au/members/
australian-standards
http://www.saiglobal.com/pdftemp
/previews/osh/as/as1000/1200/128
8-2006.pdf
