The Project

Location: North Yorkshire UK
Contractor: Fusion Glass Ltd
Client: Homeowner

The homeowner contacted Fusion Glass Ltd at an early stage of the project, seeking guidance on system choice, glass specification, and installation approach. The property already featured a frameless glass Juliet balcony installed using a base channel system with 17.5mm toughened laminated glass, and the customer wanted the new glass balustrade to visually match this existing feature.

The proposed installation surrounded a large front patio at ground level. A low perimeter wall of approximately 400mm enclosed the space, and the customer wished to increase the overall height to provide shelter from the wind while seated, without obstructing views or creating a closed-in feel.

THE BRIEF

To match the clean, frameless appearance of the existing Juliet balcony
Improve comfort on the patio by reducing wind exposure
Maintain open views with minimal visible structure
Deliver a practical and cost-effective solution suited to a ground-level application
Achieve a finished balustrade height of approximately 1100mm from patio level to align with typical UK balustrade height guidance

TuffX Specification

12mm toughened glass panels, manufactured to bespoke shapes
Low iron glass for enhanced clarity and reduced green tint
Polished edges
5mm radius safety corners
Glass manufactured to an approximate height of 700mm, achieving a finished balustrade height of 1100mm from patio floor level once installed on the existing wall

As the balustrade was installed at ground level with no fall risk, 12mm toughened glass provided an excellent balance of strength, safety, and cost efficiency. Laminated glass, while used on the first-floor Juliet balcony, was not required for this application.

project challenges

Although visually minimal, the project presented several technical challenges. The existing wall varied in height along its length, the gate pillars at each end were different heights, and the wall rose and fell in several areas. These variations meant that standard rectangular panels would not achieve a consistent or accurate finish.

To ensure a precise fit, Fusion Glass Ltd recommended templating each panel individually. The base channel was installed first, allowing plywood templates to be produced that accurately reflected the site conditions, including all changes in height and angles.

TUFFX Manufacturing Highlights

TUFFX’s ability to manufacture bespoke glass panels directly from physical templates was key to the success of this project. Once the templates were completed, TUFFX arranged prompt collection, allowing production to begin without delay.

Each panel was manufactured to match the unique shape defined by the templates, with polished edges and safety radius corners applied as specified. The use of low iron glass ensured exceptional optical clarity, enhancing the finished appearance and maintaining uninterrupted views across the patio.

Despite the complexity of the shapes involved, TUFFX delivered the finished glass panels within seven days of template collection, demonstrating both manufacturing precision and efficient turnaround.

the results

The finished glass panels fitted seamlessly into the base channel, despite the uneven wall conditions. The frameless design achieved the desired increase in height and wind protection while preserving the open feel of the patio area.

The finished balustrade achieved a consistent height of approximately 1100mm from the patio surface, providing effective wind shelter while maintaining clear sightlines across the front of the property.

The colour-matched base channel and high clarity glass ensured the new balustrade blended perfectly with the existing Juliet balcony, creating a cohesive architectural finish across the property. The customer completed the final installation and was extremely pleased with both the process and the finished result.