Spigot glass balustrades offer a clean, modern way to create a protective barrier while keeping views open. Instead of full posts or a continuous frame, the glass panels are held in place by individual spigots fixed at the base.
At The Online Glass Shop, we manufacture bespoke glass panels for spigot balustrades in custom sizes and shapes. This makes it possible to create a system suited to a particular project, whether it is being used in a home, commercial property or other suitable setting.
A spigot glass balustrade is a type of balustrade in which glass panels are supported by small metal fittings known as spigots. The spigots are fixed to the floor, decking, concrete or another suitable structure, with the lower edge of the glass held securely inside them. Because there are no full-height posts between the panels, a spigot balustrade has a simple, open appearance. The fittings remain visible at floor level, but much less metalwork is used than with a fully framed balustrade.
Spigot glass balustrades may be used with or without a handrail, depending on the design, location and structural requirements. The exact arrangement needs to be chosen for the project rather than assuming that one standard system will suit every application. The glass can be manufactured to specific measurements. Bespoke sizing is useful where a balustrade needs to fit around corners, changes in level or other features that make standard panel sizes unsuitable.
Spigot balustrades can be used in residential and commercial settings. Their open design makes them useful where a barrier is required without blocking light or views with solid materials or large supporting posts.
In homes, spigot glass balustrades are often considered for patios, terraces, decking areas, balconies and garden spaces. They can help define raised outdoor areas while keeping the garden or surrounding view visible through the glass. They can also be suitable for some internal applications, such as around a landing, mezzanine or change in floor level, where the supporting structure and fixing method are appropriate.
Commercial uses can include offices, hospitality venues and leisure spaces. However, commercial and public areas may be subject to higher design loads than a private home, so the system must always be specified for the actual use of the building.
Outdoor installations also need extra consideration. Wind loading, exposure, the condition of the supporting structure and the type of fixings can all affect the design. An exposed balcony may have very different requirements from low-level domestic decking. For this reason, the intended location should be established before the glass is ordered. The dimensions, shape, glass specification and spigot system can then be selected around the needs of the project.
There is no single glass thickness that is automatically suitable for every spigot glass balustrade. The correct specification depends on factors such as panel size, support method, whether a handrail is used, barrier height and the loads the balustrade must resist.
Toughened safety glass is commonly used because it is considerably stronger than ordinary annealed glass and is designed to break into relatively small pieces if it fails. Depending on the design and risk involved, toughened laminated glass may also be required or preferred because the laminate can help retain broken glass.
Thicknesses such as 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm are commonly seen in glass balustrade applications, but this does not mean that any of these can be selected simply because they are widely used. A larger panel or a system with fewer supporting points may need a different specification.
Spigot-fixed systems depend on the relationship between the glass and the fittings because the panels are supported at points near their lower edge. The spigots, glass, fixings and supporting structure therefore need to work together as a complete system.
We can manufacture glass to bespoke dimensions for balustrade projects. Before ordering, customers should make sure the proposed glass thickness and type are suitable for the chosen spigot system and meet any structural or building control requirements.
A spigot glass balustrade that acts as guarding must be designed around the relevant building regulations and standards. In England, Approved Document K provides guidance on protection from falling, collision and impact, including guarding at stairs, landings, balconies and changes in level.
The required height depends on where the balustrade is installed. In a single-family dwelling, guarding to stairs, landings, ramps and internal floor edges is generally 900 mm high. External balconies and edges of roofs generally require guarding at least 1,100 mm high. Other building types can have different requirements.
Height is only one part of compliance. Guarding must also be able to resist the loads expected in its location. A private domestic area does not necessarily have the same loading requirements as a busy office, retail space or public building.
Where glazing forms part of the guarding, the glass also needs to be suitable for safety-critical use and able to resist the required loads and impacts. Approved Document K refers to relevant standards for glazing and barriers, while BS 6180 provides guidance on the design of barriers in and about buildings.
Openings can also matter. In buildings that may normally be used by children under five, Approved Document K says guarding should be designed so that a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through openings and should avoid horizontal features that can readily be climbed.
The suitability of the base structure is equally important with a spigot balustrade. Correctly specified glass and spigots still need to be fixed into a substrate capable of taking the required loads.
Building regulations and structural requirements vary according to the project and location. Customers should therefore confirm the specification with the relevant designer, structural engineer, building control body or other competent professional where necessary before manufacture or installation.
At The Online Glass Shop, we manufacture made-to-measure glass for balustrades rather than limiting customers to standard panel sizes. This gives you greater flexibility when planning a spigot balustrade around the actual dimensions of a property or project. Panels can be produced to bespoke sizes and, where required, custom shapes. This is useful for unusual layouts, angled areas or spaces where standard rectangular panels would not provide the right fit.
Our toughened glass is precision cut and manufactured for the required application. Customers can specify the dimensions needed for their project, making installation more straightforward and reducing the compromises that come with adapting standard panels to a non-standard space.
We also understand that the glass is only one part of a safe balustrade. The panel specification needs to work with the selected spigots, fixing method, supporting structure and overall system design. Where building regulations apply, these points should be considered before the final glass specification is confirmed.
A bespoke spigot glass balustrade can work well in both modern and traditional settings. The limited amount of visible hardware keeps the focus on the space beyond the glass, while made-to-measure panels allow the design to be tailored to the property.
Whether you are planning a domestic terrace, garden project, balcony, landing or commercial installation, we can manufacture glass panels to suit your measurements and design. Contact The Online Glass Shop with your requirements to discuss the glass specification for your spigot balustrade project.
