Glass has established itself as one of the leading materials in architecture and interior design. It is characterized by its transparency and lightness. Its ability to adapt to any shape makes it both aesthetically pleasing and functional for dressing and protecting living spaces.
Among glass's many uses, balustrades are a prime choice for securing balconies, mezzanines and roof terraces. They combine safety, strength and aesthetics in an essential structural element. The glass used can be laminated, tempered or surface-treated. It offers exceptional technical performance and visual appeal. Find the model to suit your needs on Railing-glass.com.
PVB film, EVA film
Laminated glass is the safety solution of choice for glass railings. It is composed of several sheets of glass bonded together. This bonding is ensured by an intermediate polymer film, which plays an essential role in the strength of the finished product.
The most commonly used films are PVB (polyvinyl butyral) and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). PVB offers excellent safety performance. Thanks to its particular chemical composition based on polyvinyl and hydroxyl groups, it effectively absorbs impact energy. It holds pieces of glass in place even after breakage, preventing the projection of sharp splinters.
EVA has similar characteristics, but is slightly less resistant than PVB. However, it offers excellent value for money and is suitable for many glass railing applications, particularly indoors. The choice between these two films will therefore depend on the level of security required and the budget available.
In both cases, the polymer interlayer provides a durable bond between the glass sheets, while ensuring the flexibility and strength of the finished product. It thus plays an essential role in the performance and longevity ofRailing-glass.com indoor and outdoor glass railings .
Sécurit" tempered glass, a resistant alternative
In addition to laminated glass, another solution is tempered glass, also known as "Sécurit" glass. This is ordinary glass, but it has undergone a special heat treatment called tempering.
In concrete terms, the glass is heated to a high temperature and then cooled by a sudden blast of air. This sudden change in temperature creates stresses in the glass matrix. They make it more resistant. In the event of breakage, tempered glass shatters into numerous small splinters, less sharp than ordinary glass.
Thinner than double- or triple-glazing, tempered glass nonetheless offers appreciable protection for interior and exterior glass railings. Thanks to its increased strength, it is a good alternative when thickness is not an essential criterion, as it is for some interior railings.
What's more, its lighter weight than laminated glass makes it easier to handle. It is particularly well-suited to designer balustrades seeking both safety and aesthetic appeal. Its resistance remains lower than that of laminated glass for applications requiring a high level of safety.
Laminated glass, the choice for optimum safety
Laminated glass remains the benchmark solution for applications requiring maximum protection, such as Railing-glass.com design railings for occupant safety.
Laminated glass consists of several sheets of glass (usually two or three) bonded together with an interlayer film. Laminated glass offers considerable advantages in the event of an impact or fall on the railing.
Unlike toughened glass, which shatters into multiple pieces, laminated glass maintains its overall integrity. Even in the event of breakage, the glue holds the pieces together, preventing the propagation of cracks and the ejection of sharp fragments.
What's more, laminated glass can be up to 25 mm thick. This gives it unrivalled impact resistance. Even when subjected to considerable force, laminated glass generally does not break.
Thicknesses adapted to the level of security required
To meet the varying requirements of each project, glass for glass balustrades is available in different thickness classes.
Thickness directly determines the mechanical strength of the glass and its ability to retain splinters in the event of impact. The choice therefore depends on the level of safety required by regulations or desired by the customer.
The thinnest class is 6.6 mm. It is suitable for many basic regulatory applications, such as low-exposure interior railings. The 8.8 mm thickness provides a higher level of safety for medium-risk areas. It is frequently used for conventional exterior railings.
Finally, class 1010.4 mm offers maximum resistance for very high-risk areas such as high-rise terraces or schools. Its superior performance makes it the benchmark for designer railings that have to meet the most stringent safety standards.
Glass color
Beyond their transparency, glass for glass balustrades is available in a variety of colored finishes to enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space.
Colorless glass remains a safe bet that transcends fashion. To give railings a distinctive identity, manufacturers offer a wide range of colors.
Classic shades such as blue and green evoke the serenity of water and nature. More urban shades of gray bring sobriety and elegance to the work. For a refined touch, bronze glass imitates the patina of precious metal.
In addition to their assertive style, these colors have the advantage of reducing glare and reflections, while allowing natural light to pass through. They give designer railings a unique identity, while preserving the visual comfort of occupants.
The virtually unlimited range of shades makes it possible to sublimate and personalize each project, in perfect harmony with its aesthetic charter. Colored glass enhances the elegance of glass railings with an extra touch of fantasy and style.
Opaque or smoked treatment
In addition to colored tints, certain types of glass used for interior glass balustrades benefit from a sophisticated surface treatment that gives them a special matte effect.
These are known as "opaque" or "smoked" coatings. In concrete terms, a microscopic veil is deposited on one side of the glass, usually by chemical spraying. This fine film diffuses light evenly, while slightly darkening the overall appearance of the glass.
The result is an elegant design effect that renders the material matt without totally obstructing the view. Thanks to this subtle interplay of transparency and opacity, Railing-glass.com glass balustrades retain their visual lightness while guaranteeing the privacy necessary for interior comfort.
What's more, these treatments have the advantage of reducing glare and reflections without altering the material's solidity. They are available in subtle shades to suit all styles.
Opaque or smoked glass is an elegant and functional solution for designer balustrades, while preserving the luminosity of living spaces. Their refined design effect makes them a popular option with aesthetically-minded builders.