Glass balustrades don’t always need a handrail if they’re made of laminated glass. This is because a secondary barrier needs to be in place if the glass panel should break – where this would usually be the handrail, the second layer of the laminated glass should stay intact even if the first cracks.
You can look up Section 8.5.2 of BS6180:2011 to consult the UK Building Regulations for handrails, or check with your local building control office. While we would recommend handrails for stair balustrades to make them more accessible, it really comes down to personal design preferences.
Even true frameless glass balustrades are capable of withstanding up to 1.5kN of force from a person leaning on them. The glass panels will also have a highly polished edge for safety and style. If you need advice on choosing glass balustrade handrails, feel free to contact Glass Interiors.