At the end of the day…glass balustrades in sporting and other commercial venues

This month saw the return of a major sporting event – the UEFA European Football Championships, known as The Euros. As sporting venues reopen their doors, fans will once again be guided towards glory or disappointment by glass balustrades.

Glass balustrades are popular in stadiums and other commercial spaces as a contemporary type of safety barrier. Glass balustrades mitigate the risk of injury where there is a change of level and can be used effectively to manage people flow or to separate off areas. Tufwell Glass supplied toughened laminate floor panels and glass balustrades for a past project at Wembley Stadium.

A game of two glass types

All glass balustrades are made from either toughened glass or laminated glass – both types of safety glass. Toughened, or tempered glass is five times stronger than ordinary glass and can endure greater impact or sudden changes in temperature. Laminated glass has the same strength as ordinary glass but consists of two pieces of glass sandwiched around a plastic interlayer (polyvinyl butyral or PVB). It is this PVB layer that enables laminated glass to withstand impact, whilst the thickness of the complete glass product allows it to function as an effective barrier.

A beautiful finish

Glass balustrade systems can be frameless or comprise vertical posts and glass, with or without a top rail. When the glass of a balustrade is used as part of the actual structure, rather than as an infill panel, is referred to as a structural glass balustrade or frameless glass balustrade. Whether toughened glass or laminated glass is used, glass balustrades can have transparent glass, tinted glass or frosted glass finishings. A glass balustrade will create a spacious and modern feel in any space, let more light into indoor spaces, and contribute to a better overall environment.

On target

Glass balustrades are made to last. The use of either toughened glass or laminated glass in glass balustrades create a durable and long-lasting glass product. The resilience of Tufwell’s glass balustrades ensure that they are a cost-effective choice for any commercial space. Glass balustrades are easy to clean and require little maintenance, so there are no hidden costs after installation.

Glass balustrades are a class act. Contact Tufwell Glass today on 01293 533 533 or at sales@tufwell.co.uk to discuss your glass balustrade requirements.