Glass is a wonderful material when it comes to architectural design. This is because it is both resilient and aesthetically pleasing, where it can be used as a practical design feature either inside or outside a building. However it is applied, glass can be shaped, styled and finished according to the visual preferences of its installer, meaning it may be used for a broad variety of applications.

When we think of glass in our homes, we usually consider how it is used for our windows, where its transparent qualities make for an ideal portal into the outside world. Beyond this, glass can also be utilised for more decorative architectural features, such as balustrades, where its transparent nature means that it adds an air of timeless elegance to indoor and outdoor styling.

Frameless glass balustrades in particular can be used to enrich your property whilst serving as a long lasting, practical feature. Read on to find out more about the many benefits of choosing this kind of balustrade for your interior or exterior.

What Is A Frameless Glass Balustrade?

A balustrade in general is a type of railing supported by balusters, where these tend to serve an ornamental purpose. The frameless glass variety is specially made without any visible joints or partitions, where this helps to create a sleek and seamless look wherever they are installed. 

Frameless glass balustrades are typically made to be strong and safe, where particularly resilient materials will be selected for the job. Usually these panes of glass can be finished in a range of decorative ways according to individual design preferences, where they can be frosted or left completely transparent.

The Benefits Of Frameless Glass Balustrades

There are many advantages of installing a frameless glass balustrade, where some of these include:

Design Choice

This kind of balustrade is incredibly versatile when it comes to customisation and design, meaning you can find the perfect style for your property. In addition to the finish of the glass, you can alter its thickness as well as the kinds of supports you use. Frameless glass can also be manufactured to fit a range of different spaces, where it can be made in a curved or especially slender manner to appeal to these design requirements.

Aesthetic Appeal

One of the main benefits of installing a frameless glass balustrade is that they are incredibly pleasing to the eye. Their sleek design creates a stand out contemporary look that can instantly transform a tired or old fashioned space. Beyond this, they also create an effortlessly airy feel in any property, meaning they can be the perfect design solution for modern open plan living spaces.

Durability

Frameless glass balustrades may look sleek and lightweight, but in fact they are always built to be highly durable. Usually they are made with professionally tempered or toughened glass panels, where the installation will always be safety tested by your installers to ensure that everything is in good working order. This kind of glass is also designed to be scratch and corrosion resistant, meaning it is designed to stand the test of time.

Illusion of Space

In addition, frameless glass balustrades are a great option if you want to maximise the appearance of space in your property. As frameless designs are free from borders or visible posts, they can create a sturdy barrier without cutting off a space. This helps to make rooms look bigger and lighter, improving the appearance of your property as a whole.

Safety

Not only are frameless glass balustrades built to be durable, but they are also designed with safety as a top priority. Professional installers will always strive to meet strict safety standards, where toughened glass is used to minimise the risk of a breakage. Tempered glass is also designed to break into blunt fragments rather than sharp pieces if it does shatter, further improving the safety standards of your installation.

Easy to Maintain

Frameless glass balustrades are also much easier to maintain and clean compared to other barrier options. Because of their sleek design, these balustrades can be wiped with glass cleaner or a mild detergent, where they don’t tend to accumulate dust and debris like more traditional architectural features.

Sustainability

These kinds of balustrades can further benefit your property in more subtle ways, for instance when it comes to reducing energy consumption and improving the sustainability of your building. As frameless glass lets in the maximum amount of light, you may find that you are spending less on artificial lighting options during the day, helping to keep your utility bills to a minimum. Glass is also a recyclable material, which makes it more eco-friendly than other synthetic or single use alternatives.

Boost Property Value

Another important benefit to be gained from installing a frameless glass balustrade is an increase in your property’s value. Frameless glass is a highly popular architectural feature these days, where it can drastically improve the appearance of your property. As such, this kind of installation could help to attract prospective buyers by making your building appear as luxurious and spacious as possible.

Where To Install A Frameless Glass Balustrade

A further benefit of frameless glass balustrades is that they can be installed in a wide range of areas, both inside and outside your property. As such, you may be able to include more than one installation to create a sense of overall design cohesion. Just some of the places where a frameless glass installation could work wonders are discussed below:

Staircases - Installing a frameless glass balustrade along your staircase is a great way to enhance the safety of your interior whilst still preserving a minimalist look. Without a frame or overt fixtures, these stair balustrades help to make your space look and feel airy whilst keeping you safe from accidents.

Decking & Patios - A popular exterior choice for a frameless glass balustrade is around a decking or patio area, particularly if these are elevated above the rest of the garden. This kind of barrier can help to improve safety particularly if there are steps down to a lower level, whilst maintaining unrestricted views of the outside space.

Balconies - Frameless glass balustrades are commonly used as an addition to domestic balconies, where these can be used to create a sturdy barrier without compromising on aesthetics. These kinds of balustrades also maximise your views whilst ensuring that the fullest quantities of sunlight can shine through.

Swimming Pools - A frameless balustrade may be used to enrich the look of your swimming pool, either indoors or outdoors, by adding a sense of elegance and sophistication. This can also act as a safety precaution, whilst the seamless design of the glass avoids obstructing your view of the pool area.

Restaurants - Frameless glass balustrades are commonly found in commercial settings such as restaurants and cafes. This is especially true if they have outside seating areas, where these sleek barriers provide unobstructed views whilst still meeting strict safety limitations.

Offices - A large office space could also incorporate frameless glass balustrades, where these can be used to adorn stairs or finish outdoor spaces. In a corporate setting, the modern, sleek look of this kind of architectural feature can really help to emphasise the brand identity of a company and create a professional atmosphere.

TSS Balustrade Centre: Frameless Balustrade Systems For Your Property

At TSS Balustrade Centre, we have a variety of frameless glass solutions to meet your needs, whether you wish to embellish a staircase or protect your swimming pool. Our frameless glass balcony installations are always finished to the highest standards, and are fully compatible with both interior and exterior use. 

We offer offset spacing options ranging from 10 to 100mm, so whatever your design needs, we can find the glass that fits. Our glass adapters can also be configured to support loads of up to 3kN, meaning your installation will be both hard wearing and entirely safe. Choose from satin, mirror and powder finishes to find your perfect look, where we also offer both steel and masonry fixings. 

Get in touch with our expert team today to find out more about our frameless and framed glass balustrade options.