Frameless Glass Balustrades

Frameless Glass Balustrade for UK Homes

A frameless glass balustrade is the cleanest edge you can put around decking, a patio, a terrace or a balcony. Laminated glass panels stand in a continuous aluminium channel, held along their full bottom edge, so there are no posts, spigots or clamps interrupting the view. Our frameless range is built around a base-fix channel that sits on top of the floor and a side-fix channel that bolts to the edge face, both in black powder-coated or silver anodised aluminium, with 17.5mm and 21.5mm toughened laminated glass.

Build Your Own Frameless Glass Balustrade Kit

The quickest way to order is our build-your-own frameless glass balustrade kit in black or silver anodised. Choose base fix or side fix, enter your runs, and the calculator works out the glass, channel lengths, corners, end caps and connecting pins. On base fix, runs are fitted to stock glass sizes wherever they will go, so most orders ship in 3–10 working days; where a stock pane will not fit, that pane is cut to size and charged by the linear metre. On side fix, every pane is made to measure at 1200mm high. Stair runs are priced in the calculator too. Prefer to buy parts? Every component in this collection is also sold on its own.

How the Channel System Works

Base-fix channel bolts down through its base; side-fix channel bolts to the face of the edge, keeping the floor clear right to the edge. Each glass panel sits inside on rubbers, and wedges are then tightened either side of the glass with the wedge adjustment tool to lock it in place: a dry-glazed system, with no cement or resin. Because the glass is held along its whole bottom edge, there are no holes drilled through it and nothing on show beside it. Rubbers and wedges for your chosen glass thickness come with every length of channel.

Fixing Details

• Channel: 5m and 2.5m lengths, cut to fit on site and joined end to end with connecting pins.
• Corners: on base fix, 90° corner sections in black or silver anodised work for internal and external corners. On side fix, there are separate internal and external corners in black or silver anodised.
• Ends: end caps finish every open end of channel.
• Glass joints: a narrow gap of around 20mm between panels.
• Fixing: the channel must be bolted into solid structural material. On decking, that means the structural frame beneath, not just the boards. Fixing bolts are not included, as the right anchor depends on what you are fixing into.

Choosing Your Glass

17.5mm toughened laminated glass is our standard choice and suits most homes. It can be used on its own or with a slim top rail along the top edge. 21.5mm toughened laminated glass is the thicker option for a glass-only finish with no rail. Both are made of two toughened sheets bonded together, so a damaged pane holds together. On base fix, stock panes are 1087mm high and up to 1200mm wide: see our 17.5mm and 21.5mm stock sizes. On side fix, panes are made to measure at 1200mm high.

Frameless Glass Balustrade for Decking, Patios and Balconies

Decking: glass rising clean from the boards keeps the garden in view from every seat, with the channel fixed into the deck frame.

Balconies and terraces: where the outlook is the whole point, frameless glass guards the edge without taking any of it away, and side fix keeps the full floor width clear.

Patios and garden levels: a popular way to separate levels in a landscaped garden without visually dividing it.

Exposed and coastal sites: powder-coated and anodised aluminium are made for UK weather, and the glass only needs an occasional clean.

Frameless, Spigot or Semi-Frameless?

A channel system is the only option with nothing at all alongside the glass. Our spigot glass balustrade holds each panel on a pair of floor-mounted spigots instead, and our semi-frameless glass balustrade places glass between slim posts for low-level edges. Our guide to choosing a glass balustrade system compares all three.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a frameless glass balustrade?

A glass barrier with no posts, spigots or visible frame. Laminated glass panels stand in an aluminium channel, fixed on top of the floor or to the edge face, which holds them along their full bottom edge.

What comes with the glass balustrade channel?

Each length comes with the rubbers and wedges for your chosen glass thickness: one pack with a 2.5m length and two with a 5m length. Glass, corners, end caps, connecting pins, the wedge tool and fixing bolts are sold separately.

Which glass thickness do I need?

Most customers choose 17.5mm laminated glass, with or without a top rail. Choose 21.5mm if you want a glass-only finish with no rail. If you are not sure, send us your measurements and fall height and we will confirm before you order.

Base fix or side fix?

Base fix sits on top of the floor and works with stock glass sizes, so it is usually quicker and lower in cost. Side fix bolts to the edge face, keeping the whole floor clear, with every pane made to measure at 1200mm high. Side fix plugs, drain blocks and cladding are available separately.

Can I fit a frameless glass balustrade to decking?

Yes. The channel must be bolted into the deck's structural frame rather than the boards alone, so the fixings have solid material to go into.

How long does delivery take?

Orders made up entirely of stock panes usually ship in 3–10 working days. Cut-to-size and made-to-measure glass takes 3–4 weeks and cannot be returned unless faulty. Glass deliveries are booked in advance so offloading is safe.

Can I install it myself?

Confident DIYers can fit the channel system on straight runs. Stairs are more demanding, as every raked pane is made to your own template. Laminated panels are heavy, at roughly 40–65kg each, so plan for at least two people. We recommend professional installation for balconies and anything elevated or complex.

Do you do frameless glass on stairs?

Yes. In the calculator, mark the run as Stairs and measure along the slope. The channel follows the pitch of the flight and the glass is raked to match, made to your own plywood templates in panes up to 1000mm wide, and charged on the full flight with 20% added. See our balustrades for stairs guide. For winders or a turning flight, use our quote form or call 01282 526 428.