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Whether you’re updating your business premises or redecorating the outside of your home, it is worth considering fitting external glass balustrades.
Not only do they look modern and stylish, but they are able to withstand all weather conditions, including the upcoming wintry season.
To find out how they are able to cope with Britain’s strong winds, harsh rain, sleet, snow and often freezing temperatures, read on.
Made from toughened glass
If you want glass balustrades for your balcony, porch or patio, a good one to choose is toughened glass.
As the name suggests, toughened glass is extremely strong and is able to resist tough weather conditions. It is also unaffected by moisture and does not degrade in rain, unlike some other materials.
Despite glass having a reputation for fragility, 15mm toughened glass can be extremely weather hardy.
This also means it can resist impact, so if the windy weather throws objects at the balustrade, it will not crack or break.
While weather in the UK is known to be mild, winter can be extremely unpredictable and wind speeds even hit 173 miles per hour in 1986.
This might have been nearly 40 years ago, but Storm Eunice in 2022 saw winds of up to 122mph in the Isle of Wight, which shows it is always important to be prepared for extreme weather incidences these days.
Some areas of the country need to have protection against wind more than others, such as northern Scotland, some parts of Wales and the Isle of Wight, according to findings from the Met Office.
Made from laminated glass
Another option is to go for a balustrade made from laminated glass, as this is typically thicker and more durable.
It consists of a layer of glass, followed by a middle layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and another layer of glass. The glass is fused together with the interlayer, which is what makes it incredibly strong.
Therefore, if something causes the outer layer of glass to crack, such as outdoor furniture being flung at the balustrade in a gust of wind, the middle layer is likely to stay intact.
The broken fragments of glass simply stick to the PVB, which enables it to avoid shattering, keeping the surrounding area free of glass shards.
Therefore, laminated glass is also sometimes known as safety glass, as it enables pedestrians to stay free from injury that could incur if they walked on dangerous fragments of glass.
Laminated glass is, subsequently, made to sustain impact, strong winds, heavy rain and extreme weather, such as large hail stones.
It is available in widths of up to 33mm, making it very strong and durable. Not only is it able to withstand harsh wintry weather, but it provides security from break-ins, protection from sounds and prevents UV rays entering the building.
