Glass Balustrades

Q-Railing Glass Balustrade Systems

We supply and install the complete Q-Railing glass balustrade range — the premium brand in architectural railing systems. Q-Railing's engineering precision, corrosion-resistant aluminium construction and extensive testing to BS 6180:2011 make these systems the specification of choice for architects and designers across Surrey and London.

Every balustrade installation begins with a site survey and detailed AutoCAD drawings. We assess structural loadings, measure precisely and specify the correct Q-Railing system, glass thickness and fixing method for your application — whether that's a rooftop terrace in Richmond, a staircase balustrade in Weybridge or a Juliet balcony overlooking a garden in Guildford.

Our manufacturer-exclusive partnership with Q-Railing means we offer the full product range: Easy Glass Smart for streamlined residential installations, Easy Glass Pro for architect-specified precision, and Easy Glass View for near-invisible Juliet balconies. All systems accept toughened and laminated glass panels from 12mm to 21.52mm, providing options from lightweight domestic barriers to heavy-duty commercial-grade installations.

Q-Railing Easy Glass Smart — aluminium base channel, 12–17mm glass
Q-Railing Easy Glass Pro — precision-adjustable, 12–21.52mm glass
Q-Railing Easy Glass View — Juliet balcony system, spans up to 2,800mm
Channel, post-mounted and glass clamp fixing methods
BS 6180:2011 tested and compliant across all occupancy classes
Corrosion-resistant aluminium suitable for coastal environments
Adjustable Q-disc system for precise glass panel alignment

Glass balustrades are among the most sought-after architectural features for residential properties across Surrey, West London and the Home Counties. Whether you're creating a contemporary roof terrace, enclosing a mezzanine gallery or adding safety barriers to a garden level change, our Q-Railing systems deliver the transparency and clean lines that architects specify and homeowners desire.

Contemporary black and white balcony with glass railing and outdoor seating.

Juliet Balconies

The Q-Railing Easy Glass View Juliet balcony system is an almost invisible glass barrier designed for French doors and full-height windows. Sleek vertical aluminium profiles support frameless glass panels spanning up to 2,800mm — wide enough for double and triple door sets — while resisting line loads of up to 1.0 kN/m with 16.76mm laminated glass.

The same wall-mounted profile accommodates three installation scenarios: directly onto the building facade, onto the door frame, or into the window reveals. This versatility makes Easy Glass View suitable for new-build projects, refurbishments and replacement installations on existing properties. The system has been extensively tested to BS 6180:2011 and meets all UK barrier requirements for domestic applications.

Juliet balconies are particularly popular for bedroom and first-floor living spaces across our Surrey and London service area, allowing full-height glazed doors to open safely without a traditional railing or bar system obscuring the view.

Near-invisible aluminium profiles
Glass panels from 12mm to 21.51mm thickness
Maximum span of 2,800mm without intermediate supports
1.0 kN/m line load capacity (16.76mm glass)
Three installation methods: facade, frame or reveal
Fully compliant with BS 6180:2011
Available in mill finish, anodised or powder-coated aluminium

Technical Specifications
Colours & Finishes

Technical Specifications

Q-Railing System Comparison

Specification	Easy Glass Smart	Easy Glass Pro	Easy Glass View (Juliet)
Fixing Method	Base channel (top/fascia mount)	Base channel (top/fascia mount)	Wall-mounted vertical profiles
Glass Thickness	12–17mm	12–21.52mm	12–21.51mm
Material	Aluminium (corrosion-resistant)	Aluminium (corrosion-resistant)	Aluminium (corrosion-resistant)
Channel Height (Top Mount)	~120mm	122mm	N/A (wall profile)
Channel Height (Fascia)	~130mm	135mm	N/A
Glass Adjustment	Q-disc system (angular)	±10mm all directions (one-sided)	Profile-guided
Max Span (Juliet)	N/A	N/A	2,800mm
Line Load (BS 6180)	System-dependent	System-dependent	1.0 kN/m (16.76mm glass)
Application	Residential balconies, terraces	Architect-specified, commercial	Juliet balconies

BS 6180:2011 Load Requirements

Occupancy Class	Application	Line Load	UDL	Point Load
Class 1	Domestic dwellings	0.36 kN/m	0.5 kN/m²	0.25 kN
Class 2	Residential, office	0.74 kN/m	1.0 kN/m²	0.5 kN
Class 3	Public areas with congregation	1.5 kN/m	1.5 kN/m²	1.5 kN
Class 4	Crowd barriers, stadia	3.0 kN/m	1.5 kN/m²	1.5 kN

Finishes & Mounting

Aluminium Finishes

All Q-Railing aluminium components are available in the following finishes:

Mill Finish — Natural aluminium, suitable for interior applications
Anodised Silver — Durable anodised coating for interior and exterior use
Anodised Black — Contemporary dark finish, popular for modern architecture
Powder Coated RAL — Any RAL colour to match your project specification
Brushed Stainless Effect — Stainless steel appearance on aluminium substrate

Mounting Options

Top Mount — Channel fixed to the top surface of the floor slab, terrace deck or stair tread. The most common domestic installation method.
Fascia Mount — Channel fixed to the vertical face (fascia) of the slab edge. Creates a flush floor finish with the glass appearing to rise from the edge.
Post Mount — Individual stainless steel or aluminium posts at intervals, with glass panels clamped between. Suitable for curved or irregular layouts.
Glass Clamp — Point-fixed glass clamps (Q-Railing MOD 0760/0766) for a minimalist detail with no continuous base channel.
Wall Mount (Juliet) — Vertical profiles fixed directly to the building facade, door frame or window reveals.

Glass Specifications

Balustrade Glass Specifications

Glass Type	Thickness	Application
Toughened Safety Glass	12mm, 15mm	Interior balustrades, low-load domestic barriers
Laminated Safety Glass	13.52mm (6+6), 17.52mm (8+8)	Exterior balconies, elevated terraces
Toughened Laminated	16.76mm, 21.52mm	High-load barriers, Juliet balconies, public areas

Glass Finish Options

Clear — Maximum transparency and unobstructed views
Low-Iron (Optiwhite) — Ultra-clear glass without the green tint of standard float glass, preferred for frameless installations
Frosted/Sandblasted — Privacy screening for bathroom and bedroom balconies
Tinted Grey — Solar control and contemporary aesthetic
Printed/Ceramic Frit — Bespoke patterns, dots or gradients for decorative effect

Glass Specification

All glass balustrade systems are supplied with high-performance double-glazed or laminated sealed units as standard. Upgrade options include:

Thermal performance — Warm-edge spacer bars, argon or krypton gas fill, triple glazing available
Solar control — Low solar-gain coatings for south-facing applications
Security — Laminated inner panes, PAS 24 tested units available
Acoustic — Acoustic laminated glass for road-facing or party-wall applications
Self-cleaning — Photocatalytic coating for hard-to-reach overhead glazing

Glass Options

All our glass balustrade systems are available with a choice of high-performance glazing to suit your project requirements:

Double-glazed sealed units — standard specification for thermal efficiency
Triple-glazed units — enhanced thermal and acoustic performance
Acoustic laminated glass — for noise reduction in urban and roadside locations
Solar control glass — reduces heat gain and glare while maintaining natural light

We specify the optimal glass configuration for each project based on thermal performance, acoustic requirements and Building Regulations compliance.

Colours & Finishes

Powder Coat Colours

All aluminium frame and fixing components are powder coated to order. Standard colours available from stock:

Anthracite Grey — RAL 7016 (most popular for contemporary projects)
Jet Black — RAL 9005
Pure White — RAL 9010
Traffic White — RAL 9016

Any RAL colour is available to special order, typically adding 2–3 weeks to lead time. For heritage projects, BS 4800 and NCS colours can also be matched.

Anodised Finishes

Silver Anodised — Natural aluminium appearance with enhanced corrosion resistance
Black Anodised — Deep, consistent black finish with a harder surface than powder coat
Bronze Anodised — Warm tone suited to traditional and heritage contexts

Structural glass framing is typically specified in minimal finishes — mill-finish anodised, satin black or anthracite grey — to keep the focus on the glass itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What glass thickness do I need for a glass balustrade?

Glass thickness depends on the panel size, fixing method and load requirements under BS 6180:2011. For most domestic balcony balustrades, 15mm toughened or 17.52mm laminated glass is typical. For Juliet balconies spanning up to 2,800mm, 16.76mm toughened laminated glass achieves the required 1.0 kN/m line load. We calculate the exact specification for every project during the design phase.

Are glass balustrades Building Regulations compliant?

Yes. All our glass balustrade installations are designed to comply with BS 6180:2011 (Barriers in and about Buildings) and meet the relevant Building Regulations Approved Document K requirements for barrier heights and loading. We provide test certificates and calculations as required by Building Control.

Can glass balustrades be installed externally?

Absolutely. Q-Railing systems are manufactured from corrosion-resistant aluminium specifically engineered for exterior use, including coastal environments. We regularly install external balustrades on roof terraces, garden retaining walls, pool surrounds and elevated decks across Surrey and London.

How much do glass balustrades cost?

As a bespoke, architect-specified product, glass balustrade costs depend on the system selected, glass thickness, panel sizes, mounting method and site access. We provide detailed quotations following an initial consultation and site survey. Contact us with your project details for accurate costings.

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