How thick is a glass railing on stairs

Edit:Viewmate all-glass railing

The thickness of glass used for stairs (typically for balustrades, handrails, treads, or risers) is not a fixed value—it depends on the glass type, application (safety requirements), structural load, and local building codes. Below is a detailed breakdown of common thicknesses, key considerations, and code references to ensure safety and compliance:

1. Key Glass Type for Stairs: Must Be “Safety Glass”

First, all glass used in staircases is required to be safety glass (per global building codes like the U.S. IRC, EU EN 12150, or China’s GB 15763.2). This prevents dangerous shattering into sharp shards. The two main types are:

1. Tempered Glass (Heat-Strengthened Safety Glass): The most common choice—5x stronger than regular glass, and breaks into small, blunt “dice-like” pieces.
2. Laminated Glass: Two or more glass layers bonded with a polymer interlayer (e.g., PVB). Even if shattered, the interlayer holds fragments in place, making it ideal for high-risk areas (e.g., treads, outdoor stairs).

2. Common Glass Thickness by Application

The thickness varies significantly based on whether the glass is used for a balustrade (guardrail), handrail, or tread/riser (load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing).

3. Critical Factors That Affect Thickness

Beyond application, these factors will determine the final thickness required:

1. Building Codes: Local regulations (e.g., U.S. International Residential Code (IRC), EU EN 13474) mandate minimum strength and thickness. For example, the IRC requires stair guardrails to withstand 200 lbs (90kg) of force applied horizontally—this may require thicker glass for taller balustrades.
2. Span (Distance Between Supports): For balustrade panels, longer spans (e.g., 1.5m vs. 0.8m) need thicker glass to prevent bending or breaking. A 10mm glass panel may work for a 1m span, but a 1.2m span may require 12mm.
3. Load Requirements: Treads for commercial spaces (e.g., malls, offices) need thicker glass than residential stairs, as they must support higher dynamic loads (e.g., multiple people, wheeled objects).
4. Environmental Conditions: Outdoor stairs or stairs in humid areas (e.g., pools near stairs) may use thicker laminated glass to resist weathering and corrosion.

4. Example Scenarios

To make this concrete, here are common real-world specifications:

1. Residential Stair Balustrade: 10mm tempered glass (span ≤1m, 900mm height).
2. Residential Glass Tread: 25mm laminated glass (2x12mm tempered + 1mm PVB interlayer).
3. Commercial Stair Handrail: 20mm tempered glass (supports 100N force, 1.1m height).
4. Outdoor Stair Balustrade: 12mm laminated glass (resists wind, rain, and temperature changes).

5. Important Safety Note

Never use annealed (regular) glass for stairs—it shatters into sharp, dangerous pieces. Always verify that the glass is certified as safety glass (look for stamps like “TEMPERED” or “LAMINATED” on the edge) and that the installation complies with local building codes (a professional contractor or structural engineer should confirm this).

In summary, stair glass thickness ranges from 8mm (risers/balustrades) to 40mm (commercial treads), with the exact value determined by application, code, span, and load. Always prioritize safety glass and compliance with local regulations.

Want to know more? Click here to contact me： View Mate All Glass Railing