With their sleek and modern aesthetic, glass balustrades have become increasingly popular over the years. Here, F.H. Brundle’s Head of Marketing Paul Smith shares how installers can tap into this lucrative market…
No one can be exactly sure when the first balustrades were built, but it’s safe to say that their history goes back centuries.
The style of different balustrade systems used through the ages has often been determined by the materials in fashion at the time – ancient Greeks and Romans would add ornate stone balustrades to their outdoor balconies as a symbol of wealth, wooden balustrades became popular in Renaissance Europe, and by the Victorian era, wrought iron had become the most widely used material as a symbol of prosperity and good taste.
In the second half of the 20th century, more materials entered the world of balustrades – stainless steel, aluminium, and glass.
Prompted by efficient modern manufacturing techniques, its strength, flexibility, and versatility, glass has since then become a popular option for balustrades, both in the private and commercial markets.
Like other materials before it, glass balustrades today represent the current age and architectural style – with clean, sharp and bright aesthetics, they define the modern design.
One of the main reasons that glass elements are so popular today is that they help to create more space – making areas appear larger than they really are, which is something that cannot be achieved by using other materials.
It seems the benefits of glass balustrades are endless – they’re ideal for modern interiors, are easy to clean, strong and durable, safe and secure.
Homeowners can’t seem to get enough of them, which is why F.H. Brundle, a leading supplier of handrailing and balustrades, include them in their extensive range, helping installers tap into this lucrative, growing market.
Wide selection
The company offers a wide range of glass balustrade systems, ready to meet any requirement.
With their LiveconfiguratorTM tool, you can design and configure glass balustrades to your own sizes from a wide range of products and accessories – choose from the options, add your dimensions and design. You’ll receive free CAD drawings, as well as a fully detailed quote.
Firstly, choose from F.H. Brundle’s extensive range of pre-assembled posts.
Round or square profile posts with glass clamps can be used with or without a handrail and are a cost-effective way to achieve a stunning balustrade.
Quick to install with the option of bolt-down, concrete-in and side-fix, they offer great on-site flexibility – up to 1,190mm post centres can be achieved with standard glass panels from stock, in 10mm thickness and 100mm increments with bespoke glass available to order.
Next, spigots are also a simple way to achieve an open glass balustrade. With the advantage of only being visible towards the base, they keep views open and clear.
These are quick to install with only one fixing per spigot, are available in round, square, with Duplex 2205 or PCC matt black options, and come in 10 to 21.5mm thickness glass from stock, in 100mm increments up to 1,200mm wide, with bespoke available glass to order.
Glass stand-off adaptors are another great way to create a glass balustrade with the adaptors invisible from the inside. These are suitable for glass thicknesses up to 25.5mm, and glass is available to order complete with pre-drilled holes.
Frameless glass balustrades provide spectacular views, with clean lines and simple installation, and F.H. Brundle has several systems available.
Firstly, the PanelGrip® system, when assembled with 15 to 21.5mm tempered monolithic or tempered laminated glass, enables the installer to fabricate a structural glass railing system with a significant reduction in labour. The mill/raw channel can be clad in a satin or mirror polish finish.
Next, the Wedge-Loc™ system is available in satin adonised for use without cladding or a mill/ raw finish for use with stainless cladding, and comes with pre-drilled channel fixing holes and is easy to install.
The Posi-Glaze system is F.H. Brundle’s innovative aluminium channel system that holds glass panels in place and allows installers to easily adjust them, saving both time and money. This is available in a satin anodised finish as well as PPC coated back.
Standard glass panels in 12 to 21.5mm thicknesses and 100mm increments can be supplied for all systems next day direct from stock with bespoke glass is to order up to 33mm thick.
F.H. Brundle Head of Marketing Paul Smith comments: “Glass balustrades have become extremely popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise, as they offer so many benefits to a modern installation.
“At F.H. Brundle, we’re always keen to offer our customers the best products on the market, and with so many glass balustrade systems to choose from, we can help installers tap into what’s become a very lucrative market.”
For more information, visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk, call 01708 398 048 or email [emailprotected].
