INTERIORS 63
A clear-cut case for glass G
lass is a trending material for stairs and balustrades, due to its combination of versatility and
visual appeal. Giving an uninterrupted view, glass creates a neat, minimal and uniform look which is a big advantage on building exteriors. Internally, glass staircases are an on-trend option, one which is able to elevate the interior design of a building to new levels.
While the aesthetic qualities of glass balustrades and staircases are inarguable, their installation can raise challenges, not least because it so often needs to be carried out at height, with the involvement of a fragile material, making overall proceedings more challenging.
When fitting such systems, it is important to bear in mind issues of safety, for both the installer and the customer. For glass balustrades in particular, installers need to be mindful that the general Code of Practice for barriers in and around buildings conforms to BS6180:2011, and a system that can be fixed back to the stone or brickwork of the building will offer the best solution in terms of security.
Safety first
Systems that need to be fitted from the outside in will require scaffolding, and are overall more challenging to install than those that can be fitted from an internal position. Traditional ‘wet fit’ balcony systems need to be held securely in place – usually with cement – to ensure a tight fit, which can be messy too, particularly when fitting the balcony retrospectively onto a building. Often the architectural hardware used for installation is heavy and cumbersome – particularly when working at awkward angles, and from height – and can even compromise the desired minimal aesthetic of the glass if poorly designed. However, a dry-glaze railing system suitable for frameless glass balustrades offers a hassle-free alternative to the mess and awkwardness of working with cement.
ADF JANUARY 2023
While the uninterrupted aesthetics of glass balustrades make them undeniably appealing, there are several considerations to be aware of from a safety and installation viewpoint, as Simon Boocock of CRL explains
This solution simplifies the fitting and maintenance process, enabling installation from the ‘safe’ side of the balustrade, which is particularly useful in retrofit projects or when a broken glass panel needs to be changed as it eliminates the need for expensive scaffolding, cuts installation times and provides safety and security for installer and end user.
A Court case study
A good example of glass being used to maximum effect internally on a commercial project is the United States Courthouse in Los Angeles, a 10-storey, 633,000 ft2 facility with 24 courtrooms and 32 justice chambers. The nature of the building’s purpose and its location in downtown LA meant the contractors had to work to strict timelines for completion – and the finished result had to be of the highest specification. To meet these challenges, internally an all-glass dry-wall glazing system was used, practically halving installation time compared to a wet-glaze alternative. Circulating light throughout
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A dry glazed CRL balustrade system can potentially reduce installation requirements significantly
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