How To Fit Glass Stair Panels
Here at Prentice Glass, we are never surprised to learn the growing popularity of glass structures within residential and commercial buildings. Glass is a highly durable material that is both stylistic and easy to obtain. Whether working with wood or other materials or just on its own, time and time again, glass is being chosen as the centrepiece in furnishings. Just like with glass stair panels.
When thinking about utilising glass within stair panels, is it important to understand the basics surrounding the installation. Though we recommend always hiring a professional glass installation company, there are certain basics that homeowners should be aware of before making the final decision. Find out how to fit glass stair panels and how you can implement them in your home.
What Are Glass Stair Panels?
Stair panels offer vertical infill between the base rail and the handrail on a balustrade. Though in the past, stair panels have primarily appeared boxed in with various types of spindles, nowadays they have become more fashionable. With glass stair panels, homeowners have the opportunity to allow more natural light to flow throughout corridors and hallways. This can help open up spaces and make rooms feel bigger than they are.
Glass stair panels can be fitted in two ways; either inserted between the handrail and rail or anchored using a clamp or glass bracket.
These types of structures are made from clear toughened glass, which has been manufactured to be stronger than regular glass and more durable. Typically, these panels are between 8mm and 10mm thick, depending on the width of the panel or brackets used.
What Should You Know About Installation?
There are many factors to consider before installation begins. Firstly, what is the width of your panels? Depending on the thickness, this may change how panels you will need and the overall look of the stairs. Also, ensure that you working within UK building regulations, as there cannot be a gap bigger than 99mm per glass panel.
To find out how many glass stair panels will be required for installation, make sure that the length of the base rail is measured and divided by the width of the glass chosen. You should then fit the base rail, but do not secure the handrail just yet.
For the actual installation, the first glass panel should be placed vertically and determine the height of the handrail. Equal spacing between glass panels might be difficult to achieve. To make sure this happens, measure halfway between the two fixed glass panels to evenly space the rest. Round up to the nearest full number and subtract the original measurement from the total. This will tell you the exact measurement of the centre spacing. Make sure the measurement in the middle is no greater than 385mm.
However, to ensure this installation is correct and doesn’t end in a DIY horror story, we always recommend hiring a professional team that understands both the building regulations and the proper techniques on how to install glass.
Glass Stair Treads
Here at Prentice, we also install glass stair treads into buildings. In businesses, we understand the importance of appearing both professional and modern. Having glass stair treads is a popular choice for commercial buildings, featuring in many stylistic, corporate companies. For more information, visit our glass stair treads page here.
Prentice Glass
Prentice Glass offer a wide range of glazing services for domestic and commercial buildings, including installing glass balustrades. Based in London, we are a family-run business that focuses on delivering high-quality customer service on all our projects. Work with a professional glazing company like Prentice to ensure the glass types meet your specific needs.
For more information, or to receive a quote, fill in our online form. Simply state your enquiry and a member of our team will be in touch to see how we can help you! Or, follow us on Facebook to see our latest projects.