How thick should a frameless glass railing be?

Editor: View Mate All Glass Railing

There is no fixed value for the thickness of a frameless glass railing

Glass thickness depends on three key factors: height, span (unsupported length) and local building regulations. If you get it wrong, there is a risk of dangerous bending, wind shifting or failure.

1: Glass safety issues:

First, ordinary glass is not enough to meet the requirements of explosion-proof and wind-resistant. The only glass that can meet the requirements: tempered glass.

For important areas such as staEditor: View Mate All Glass Railingirs, falling objects or public places, laminated glass (two pieces of tempered glass with PVB interlayer glued in between) is usually necessary. This kind of glass can be fixed together even if it breaks, preventing the fragments from causing harm to people.

2: Thickness rules:

①　Low-rise places (such as steps with a height of less than 300 mm): 10-12 mm tempered glass is enough, but you need to check the relevant regulations! .

②　Standard balconies and steps (height not exceeding 1.1 meters/1100 mm): 15 mm tempered glass or laminated glass is the most common choice.

③　High railings (>1.1m) or long spans (e.g. wide panels): 18mm, 19mm or 21.5mm tempered/laminated glass is typically required. Taller glass is subject to greater wind loads and leverage at the base.

④　High wind areas or commercial use: 19mm or 21.5mm is typical.

3: Why isn’t glass thickness the only factor?

①　Fixing system: A strong rivet or slot designed for a specific thickness is critical.

②　Deflection limits: Codes limit how much glass can bend under load. Thicker glass deflects less

③　Baseplates and fixings: Weak fixings or unstable bases can make thick glass unsafe.

Note: Do not choose glass thickness based on guesswork.

Always consult an engineer familiar with glass regulations in your area to perform structural calculations, or contact us and we will recommend the correct and safe glass thickness for your glass railing based on your specific design, loads (such as wind and crowd pressure) and local regulations (such as BS EN 12600 impact resistance).