Balustrade glass: made-to-measure toughened laminated glass
Toughened laminated glass for indoor or outdoor balustrades
Toughened laminated glass combines the advantages of laminated glass and toughened glass: it is a "sandwich" made to order for each pane, consisting of toughened glass sheets and technical interlayers.
Our toughened laminated glass is assembled with EVA interlayers that resist moisture and UV, for use indoors as well as outdoors.
It is the safety glass par excellence, used for mezzanine, balcony or terrace balustrades, glass partitions and privacy screens.
Plakglass offers toughened laminated glass from 44.2 to 1212.4, at the best price and with short manufacturing lead times, in clear, frosted or tinted glass.
Configurator: laminated tempered glass
1Click the shape of your cut-out
Rounded and clipped corners are set in step 3.
Edge, corner and middle notches are set in step 8.
Classic shapes
Shapes with arcs
3- and 4-sided shapes
Shapes with 5 or more sides
2Enter the dimensions
Tip: swap the height and the length if your piece is taller than it is long.
All measurements are in millimetres (mm). Overall size of the piece: 100 × 60 cm
3Corner customisation
The corner numbers are marked on the drawing.
4Choose the build-up and the panes
Transparent glass
5Edgework
All edges are supplied with a flat polished edge (JPP): smooth, glossy and not sharp.
8Holes, cut-outs and notches
Ref. X and Ref. Y are measured from the left edge and the bottom edge of the glass: to the centre for a round hole or a socket; for a rectangular or oblong cut-out, to the centre of the cut-out, or if you prefer to the bottom left corner (rectangle) or to the centre of the bottom or left semicircle (oblong). Click on the drawing to view it full size.
Toughened laminated glass: compositions and thicknesses
In the reference, the first figures give the thickness of the two sheets of glass (44 = 2 × 4 mm) and the figure after the point gives the number of 0.38 mm interlayers: .2 = 2 interlayers, .3 = 3 interlayers, .4 = 4 interlayers.
| Toughened glass sheets | .2: 2 interlayers (0.76 mm) | .3: 3 interlayers (1.14 mm) | .4: 4 interlayers (1.52 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 4 mm | 44.2: 8.76 mm | 44.3: 9.14 mm | 44.4: 9.52 mm |
| 2 × 5 mm | 55.2: 10.76 mm | 55.3: 11.14 mm | 55.4: 11.52 mm |
| 2 × 6 mm | 66.2: 12.76 mm | 66.3: 13.14 mm | 66.4: 13.52 mm |
| 2 × 8 mm | 88.2: 16.76 mm | 88.3: 17.14 mm | 88.4: 17.52 mm |
| 2 × 10 mm | 1010.2: 20.76 mm | 1010.3: 21.14 mm | 1010.4: 21.52 mm |
| 2 × 12 mm | — | — | 1212.4: 25.52 mm |
Composition of toughened laminated glass
Toughened laminated glass consists of two sheets of toughened glass of the same thickness sandwiching one or more technical EVA interlayers. It is a composite material, made to order for each pane.
It offers triple safety:
- two sheets of glass instead of one: their thickness is given by the first figures of the reference (a 44.2 is made of two 4 mm sheets);
- two toughened sheets: each is toughened individually before assembly, making it around five times stronger than ordinary glass;
- the interlayer: if the glass breaks, the pieces remain stuck to the interlayer and the pane stays in place. This is essential for a balustrade: glass that no longer stays in place no longer acts as a barrier.
The last figure of the reference gives the number of interlayers: a 55.3 contains three interlayers. Each interlayer is 0.38 mm thick, which is why an 88.2 and an 88.4 do not have the same overall thickness. A coloured interlayer can also be placed between two technical interlayers to colour the glass.
An interlayer suitable for outdoor use
The EVA interlayer we use resists moisture and UV: it does not deteriorate outdoors. This is not the case for all laminated glass: non-toughened laminated glass is simply cut from large sheets that are already laminated, often with less resistant interlayers that may yellow, form bubbles or delaminate at the edges over time. Our advice: always ask for confirmation of the interlayer quality for outdoor use or exposure to light.
The interlayers are cut, laid and adjusted between the sheets of glass, then the whole is assembled under vacuum with a controlled rise in temperature, so that the interlayers fuse perfectly without bubbles. Each pane of toughened laminated glass is therefore made by hand, with no possibility of automation.
Laminated glass available for balustrades
- Clear laminated glass
- Frosted laminated glass
- Grey tinted laminated glass
- Bronze tinted laminated glass
- Black tinted laminated glass (Dark Grey)
- Green tinted laminated glass
- Blue tinted laminated glass (Dark Blue)
Glass balustrades: the standards you need to know
Balustrades protect against falls: their design is governed by French and European standards, which cover both the structure and the glazing.
- NF P01-012: safety rules and dimensions for balustrades (height, infill, prevention of climbing). In general, a balustrade must be at least 1 m high.
- NF P01-013: test and calculation methods to check the resistance of balustrades to loads and impacts.
- EN 12150: thermally toughened safety glass, which each of the two sheets of the laminate is made from.
- EN 14449 and EN ISO 12543: laminated glass and laminated safety glass.
- EN 12600: classification of glazing according to its impact behaviour (pendulum test).
The thickness and composition of the glass depend on the fixing system (base channel, clamps, point fixings), the height, the spacing of the fixings and the type of building (housing or building open to the public). Always follow the instructions of the balustrade system manufacturer and have the installation approved by a professional.
Frequently asked questions about toughened laminated glass
What thickness of laminated glass should I choose for a balustrade?
The thickness depends on the fixing system (base channel, clamps or point fixings), the height of the glass, the spacing of the fixings and the type of building. Common glass balustrade systems use toughened laminated glass from 55.2 to 88.2; the exact thickness is given in the fixing system instructions. If in doubt, choose the next composition up and have the installation approved by a professional.
What do the references 44.2, 55.3 or 88.4 mean?
The first figures give the thickness of the two sheets of glass: 44 = two 4 mm sheets, 55 = two 5 mm sheets, 88 = two 8 mm sheets. The figure after the point gives the number of 0.38 mm interlayers. A 44.2 is therefore 8.76 mm thick (2 × 4 mm + 2 × 0.38 mm) and an 88.4 is 17.52 mm thick.
Why use glass that is both laminated AND toughened for a balustrade?
Toughening makes each sheet around five times more impact-resistant, and lamination ensures that the pane stays in place if it breaks, with the pieces remaining stuck to the interlayer. Toughened glass on its own shatters completely and no longer holds anything back: it is not suitable where there is a risk of falling. Toughened laminated glass combines strength with post-breakage integrity.
Which standards apply to a glass balustrade?
The structure falls under standard NF P01-012 (dimensions and safety rules for balustrades, with a height of at least 1 m in general) and standard NF P01-013 (testing and strength calculation). The glazing falls under standards EN 12150 (toughened safety glass), EN 14449 and EN ISO 12543 (laminated safety glass) and EN 12600 (pendulum impact classification). Compliance of the whole also depends on the fixing system and its installation.
Can toughened laminated glass be used outdoors?
Yes, with a suitable interlayer. Our toughened laminated glass is assembled with a moisture- and UV-resistant EVA interlayer that does not yellow or delaminate at the edges, unlike some interlayers used in standard laminated glass. It is suitable for balcony and terrace balustrades and for privacy screens.
Can toughened laminated glass be drilled or notched?
Yes, provided it is specified when you order: holes and notches are made in each sheet before toughening and assembly. Once manufactured, toughened glass can no longer be drilled or recut. Enter the holes for your clamps or point fixings in the configurator.
What finishes are available in toughened laminated glass?
Toughened laminated glass is available in clear, frosted and tinted (grey, bronze, black, green and blue). A coloured or opal interlayer can also be inserted between the technical interlayers for a coloured or translucent finish.