When it comes to enhancing your home with glass balustrading, the options can be overwhelming. Frameless glass balustrades, in particular, offer a sleek, modern look while providing unobstructed views and adding value to your property. Whether you are renovating an existing home or building anew, choosing the right type of frameless glass balustrade is crucial for both aesthetics and safety.
Frameless glass balustrades are ideal for both internal and external applications, such as staircases, balconies, and verandas, allowing natural light to flow freely and maintaining clear views. However, it’s important to select a product that meets Australian standards to ensure durability and safety. This guide will help you navigate the various types of frameless glass balustrades available, including aluminium channel fix, semi-framed, mini-post, and bespoke options, so you can make an informed decision for your home.
1. Aluminium Channel Fix
Glass balustrades add a sleek, minimalist look to our homes in Melbourne and allow for unobstructed views of indoor or outdoor areas. They also provide safety to those using stairs and balconies, while still allowing natural light to pass through.
There are a number of different ways you can install an MP Series glass balustrade in your home. Some are framed, while others are frameless. It’s important to choose a quality product that complies with Australian standards. Poorly made products have caused injuries in the past, so always ask about product testing and manufacturing details before making a purchase.
Glass balustrades use stainless steel posts between each panel of glass. This is a cost-effective option that’s popular with residential applications. The side-mounted design uses wall-mountable stainless steel stand-off fixings that are carefully designed and tested to withstand the structural load of the glass. They are manufactured from Marine Grade 2205 duplex stainless steel, which offers excellent corrosion resistance in coastal locations and areas with high chloride, humidity, and pollution levels.
2. Semi-Framed
If you like the minimalist approach but want to maintain an unblocked view, then a semi-frameless CH Series glass balustrade is perfect for you. These are a popular choice for many homeowners in Melbourne and are often used as a barrier around decking and patio areas. They create a sturdy barrier while still allowing natural sunlight to shine through, creating an effortless openness and connecting your home with your outdoor space.
These are designed to be a safe alternative to traditional railing systems with posts and handrails. They are bonded together with a plastic safety interlayer, ensuring that if one glass panel breaks the other will remain in place to prevent injuries.
These are a great option for modern homes and come with a range of stainless steel fittings such as point-fixing clamps, round-slotted tubes, and fittings and spigots. They are also designed to be strong and durable, incorporating professionally tempered glass panels that are rigorously safety tested by your installers.
3. Mini-Post
Often described as minimalist in design, this type of frameless glass balustrading is the perfect option for contemporary homes and modern properties. The lack of frames allows a clear view through and adds a sense of lightness to the space.
Typically, this style of glass balustrade is secured with the use of spigots or standoff fittings that allow the panels to be fitted on top of them. These are usually stainless steel and can be finished to match the overall look of the glass.
This side-mounted frameless glass balustrading style is gaining in popularity as it’s more cost-effective than the aluminium channel. However, it still offers a high level of safety and durability. It also doesn’t require a top rail, though this does depend on your location and local building codes.
4. Bespoke
A GA Series glass balustrade elevates your home’s interior and exterior spaces. They look sleek and sophisticated, allow more light to filter through the balcony, create a seamless design and are available in both minimal and classic styles to suit any property.
They are a cost-effective option and perfect for older homes and properties. Their minimalist look is also ideal for modern interiors. They require less maintenance than other types of balustrading and can be easily cleaned with a quick wipe.
They are made from clear panels of toughened safety glass bonded together with an SGP structural interlayer, which is up to five times stronger than annealed glass. Coloured interlayers can be added to the laminating process to give a decorative effect and reduce glare or maximise privacy. A wide range of accessories can be used to personalise the design including stainless steel studs, caps and handrails.
Sleek, Safe, Stunning
Choosing the right frameless glass balustrade for your home involves balancing aesthetics, functionality, and safety. Whether you prefer the sleek lines of an aluminium channel fix, the unobstructed views of a semi-framed design, the minimalist appeal of mini-posts, or the personalised touch of bespoke balustrades, each option offers unique benefits to enhance your space. By ensuring your selection meets Australian standards and fits your specific needs, you can enjoy the beauty, safety, and added value that Totally Frameless brings to your home.
