BotusBuild Posted January 24 Posted January 24 Hello all. The final stairs are in place and we need a balustrade along the Glulam beam in the picture below. For reference it is 360mm deep by 142mm wide. Our preference is for a glass balustrade possibly with a hand rail on top. We have two options for fixing - either point fixing to the side face (example in second picture for reference only), or a rail fixing on the top of the beam (example in third picture for reference only). I know there are also side fixed rail systems as well but they will not meet the desired/required "look". I know the main issue is going to be fixing (bolts/screws) into the glulam beam. You can see we have clear access to top and bottom of the beam, but would have to disturb the plasterboard (yes, already painted!) to get access to both sides of the beam, which I'm prepared to do if necessary. What would be your approach (top rail or point fixing) and what fixing would you recommend? One "outside the box" idea I had was a routed groove in the top of the beam and using relevant rubber seals (as would be used in a rail fixing) fit the glass into the routed groove. Anyone care to comment on this idea.
Nickfromwales Posted January 24 Posted January 24 18 minutes ago, BotusBuild said: One "outside the box" idea I had was a routed groove in the top of the beam and using relevant rubber seals (as would be used in a rail fixing) fit the glass into the routed groove. Anyone care to comment on this idea. BCO may not sign you off with a DIY solution. Plus, you’d be interfering with the structural integrity of the beam, so would need prior approval from both SE and BCO. I like both other options, so as ever this is down to the decision maker in the house 👀.
BotusBuild Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 Never thought it would work to be honest, just one of those "brain not doing enough so fill it with craziness" moments 🙂 OK folks, so its down to recommended fixings to use for each of the proper two options.
BotusBuild Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 (edited) These? (the M10 version) Edited January 24 by BotusBuild M10
Nickfromwales Posted January 25 Posted January 25 On 24/01/2026 at 14:24, BotusBuild said: These? (the M10 version) Should be plenty beefy enough. Just need to have these in reasonably high frequency if the glass is to be leant against / accident / misadventure etc.
BotusBuild Posted January 25 Author Posted January 25 14 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said: Just need to have these in reasonably high frequency Agreed. Would go for twice the recommendation for a rail, and around 20-40% more for the point fixing 1
Nickfromwales Posted January 25 Posted January 25 Just now, BotusBuild said: Agreed. Would go for twice the recommendation for a rail, and around 20-40% more for the point fixing Not the kind of thing you want falling off
lookseehear Posted Thursday at 13:12 Posted Thursday at 13:12 How do you know that the fixings and the beam will pass the 25mm deflection test at 0.36kn/metre at 1100mm? I assume this needs a calc from an engineer or the beam to be specced for this purpose?
JohnMo Posted Thursday at 13:25 Posted Thursday at 13:25 I bought mine from here https://www.made2measure.co.uk/glass-balustrades/?mh_keyword=balcony glazing system&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12052583245&gbraid=0AAAAADv1etNOPVsB6l6fBCLWEMa72dGOx&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnJHMBhDAARIsABr7b844WI-m1FTO32K-Blto5enxEUMAp2YkU1fodvh8LLpF7khwS1hhwYMaAhGSEALw_wcB Go to the useful information section, all the design certification is there, with approved mounting schemes for the various products etc. Just bought the appropriate hardware, downloaded the certificate and structural engineer signed it all off. Zero thought, fully approved, simple. 1
Stratman Posted Thursday at 18:37 Posted Thursday at 18:37 This manufacturer has guidance for fixing their channels in various conditions https://posiglaze.co.uk/ 1
BotusBuild Posted Thursday at 19:10 Author Posted Thursday at 19:10 32 minutes ago, Stratman said: This manufacturer has guidance for fixing their channels in various conditions https://posiglaze.co.uk/ Certification/Accreditation only mentions concrete and steel. I have messaged them about fixing to the glulam beam.
BotusBuild Posted Thursday at 19:19 Author Posted Thursday at 19:19 Happy Days. Made2Measure (link in JohnMo's message above) has wood connection certification with M8/80mm long at 200mm spacing (400mm with no wind loading) using Fisher FPF-WT YZP (https://www.fischer.co.uk/en-gb/products/screws/wood-construction-screw-powerfast/powerfast-fpf-wt-zpp) 1
JohnMo Posted Thursday at 22:36 Posted Thursday at 22:36 Mine was outside in a high wind load area, plus a massive drop in areas. Face mounted on timber structure. 1
Nickfromwales Posted Friday at 11:37 Posted Friday at 11:37 22 hours ago, lookseehear said: How do you know that the fixings and the beam will pass the 25mm deflection test at 0.36kn/metre at 1100mm? I assume this needs a calc from an engineer or the beam to be specced for this purpose? All BCO’s I’ve ever seen just give it a poke / push and smile, possibly just wind, and move on to the next item. Glaziers were more concerned about size (length) of the glass, thickness etc and wanted lots of info before they’d even let me place the order! Good guys, and very conscientious tbf.
BotusBuild Posted Friday at 12:23 Author Posted Friday at 12:23 13 hours ago, JohnMo said: Face mounted on timber structure. Nuts and bolts and big washers behind the wood?
JohnMo Posted Friday at 12:34 Posted Friday at 12:34 Just now, BotusBuild said: Nuts and bolts and big washers behind the wood? Our edge trim is two layers of 10x2 timber, so I just used M10 x 75mm hex drive flanged coach screws. Used an impact driver to drive them in. 1
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