The minimum thickness for a glass balustrade depends on the type of glass and finish, as well as where you’ll be installing it. Frameless glass balustrades should be at least 10mm thick, which is why we provide clear toughened glass in this thickness, as well as clear toughened laminated glass in 16.8mm and 20.8mm for extra strength.
Standard toughened glass is generally only available at 10mm thick and above, so this is the thinnest your glass balustrade can be if it has posts and handrails. Our frosted satin glass balustrades and tinted glass balustrades (grey or bronze) are only available in this thickness, so they may not be suitable for a frameless balustrade system.
To meet the British and European safety standards for glass balustrades, glass panels must be certain thicknesses and withstand certain loads under standardised impact tests. There are different classes based on minimum glass thickness and minimum impact load, which are explained in BS EN 12600:2002.
It’s recommended for glass panels to be no less than 10mm thick when used as a framed balustrade with a handrail. If you want a frameless balustrade, much thicker glass is recommended – it’s better to opt for laminated glass in this case, which features two panels of toughened glass sealed together with an interlayer to make it extra robust.
You can find more information about the minimum requirements for glass balustrade safety in the UK Building Regulations, which explain how high and wide a glass balustrade must also be in a particular situation to comply with the law.
For example, balustrades around seating areas in the UK must be at least 800mm tall (only 530mm if the seating is fixed in place), increasing to 900mm for stairs and ramps and to 1100mm for balconies. Additionally, to reduce or eliminate the risk of anyone getting stuck in gaps between balustrades or fixtures, it must not be possible for a 100mm sphere to pass through any openings.
As the buyer of the product, it is your responsibility to make sure that the glass panels and fittings that you order and the installation method you use comply with all the relevant standards and regulations. Please consult your local Building Control office for advice on your planned application first if you are unsure.