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Frameless Glass Balustrades

UNEX Frameless Glass Balustrades offer uninterrupted views and a sleek, modern aesthetic, making them the ideal choice for residential homes, apartments, and commercial projects. Engineered to meet New Zealand Building Code standards, these balustrades combine minimalist design with robust performance.

Featuring recessed or clamped, 12 mm or 15 mm glass panels with a continuous top or side rail, or installed without a top rail when using a SentryGlas® interlayer. Top rail options include a 64 mm x 30 mm VRR aluminium powdercoated rail, a 44.5 mm diameter aluminium LRR side rail, or the new stainless-steel handrail range - Q25 (25 x 21 mm in black, polished, or powdercoated) and Q40 (40 mm x 30 mm in satin, polished, or powdercoated).

They are securely installed using high-quality aluminium fittings, including continuous channels (Panorama side-fixed, Metropolis top-fixed), sleek stainless-steel clamps (GlasStrut), and stainless-steel circular standoffs (Arena-Points), delivering both strength and elegance.

Panorama (Side Fixed)

Metropolis (Top Fixed)

Arena Points

GlasStrut

Glasstrut-by-UNEX

Download PS1'S

EziSpec is UNEX’s online tool that helps architects, specifiers, and developers generate PS1's quickly and accurately. Designed to align with the New Zealand Building Code, EziSpec provides pre-engineered frameless glass balustrade producer statements tailored to your project.

Specifiers can access PS1s, CAD details, Revit files, and more via our technical portal.

Need a Site-Specific Design?

If your project falls outside our standard details, our Engineering and Design teams are ready to assist with tailored solutions. We assess site conditions, structural requirements, and compliance needs to develop a custom balustrade design that meets your specifications.

Submit your project details today, and we’ll be in touch to help you achieve the perfect result.

Colour & Finish Options

UNEX offers a wide range of durable powdercoated finishes across our extrusions, rails, and components, allowing you to tailor your frameless glass balustrade system to suit any architectural style.

In addition, our stainless steel handrails are now stocked in Black, Polished, and Satin finishes, specifically designed to complement our frameless glass balustrade styles.

Unex Arena Points Frameless Glass Barrier in Hamilton Nz

Key features of this range of glass balustrades include:

  • Customisable Design: Choose from styles like Metropolis and Panorama with internal clamped channels, Arena-Points with 50mm circular standoffs, or GlasStrut's 160mm tall spigots.
  • Compliance and Scope of Use: Our glass balustrades are designed to meet the requirements of the NZ Building Code, including B1 (Structure), B2 (Durability), E2 (External Moisture), F2 (Hazardous Building Materials), F4 (Safety from Falling), and F9 (Means of Restricting Access to Residential Pools). Suitable for occupancy types 'A', 'B', 'E', and 'C3' as per AS/NZS 1170.
  • Pool Safety Compliance: Our frameless glass balustrades can be used as part of a pool barrier, with handrail options that comply with D1/AS1 regulations, ensuring safe and secure enclosures.
  • Wind Zone Suitability: Suitable for use in all wind zones, up to and including 'Extra High'. For rare or extreme locations, additional consideration may be needed to mitigate wind reverberation effects.
  • Top and Face Fixing Options: Available for top-fixed or face-fixed applications, with specifications allowing for secure attachment into concrete, masonry, timber, and steel. Click here to view our fixing methods.
  • Durability and Warranty: All of our frameless glass balustrades come with a 10-year warranty for residential applications and are available in a wide range of powder coated finishes to suit any style.
  • Applications: Frameless glass balustrades are perfect for balconies, decks, stairwells, and pool fences (with gate hardware). These balustrades are suitable for both interior and exterior use, adding a sleek, minimalist touch to any space.

Understanding the NZ Building Code and Glass Types

No Rail Option
If your balustrade is preventing a fall and you prefer a frameless glass design with no rail, you will need to use Toughened Safety Laminated Glass with a SentryGlas® interlayer.

This type of laminated glass is engineered for superior strength, featuring an interlayer that is 100 times stronger and 5 times stiffer than traditional laminates. This ensures that, even in the unlikely event of breakage, the glass remains intact and compliant with AS/NZS 2208 and AS/NZS 4223.

If the balustrade is used as a pool fence and does not prevent a fall, standard Toughened Safety Glass without a rail may be sufficient.

With a Top or Side Rail Option
For frameless glass balustrades using more cost-effective standard Toughened Safety Glass that are preventing a fall, a top or side rail is required. UNEX offers a selection of six rail styles that can be paired with 12mm or 15mm Grade A Toughened Safety Glass. This option allows you to customise the look while ensuring compliance with fall protection requirements under the NZ Building Code.

Toughened glass is a safe choice for balustrades due to its strength—up to five times stronger than regular glass. If it breaks, it shatters into small, dull pieces, reducing the risk of injury compared to sharp shards from standard glass.

Wherever you are in New Zealand, UNEX is here to support your frameless glass balustrade project.

With a range of durable, pre-engineered and custom-designed frameless glass solutions for projects of all scales – supported by our nationwide network of Authorised Fabricators – UNEX takes the complexity out of compliance, delivering both safety and stunning, uninterrupted views.

To enquire about our products or services, please fill in the form below or call us at P 0800 333 777

Alternatively, you can click on the link below to request a quote, and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frameless glass balustrades are protective barriers made from large panes of glass that are supported by minimal hardware, offering an unobstructed view. They are commonly used in residential and commercial spaces, such as balconies, staircases, and pool areas.
Yes, frameless glass balustrades are designed to meet strict safety standards in New Zealand. They are typically made from toughened safety laminated glass, which is highly resistant to impact and shattering. Additionally, they are installed to ensure stability and compliance with the New Zealand Building Code.
Yes, frameless glass balustrades offer various design options, including different heights, glass thicknesses, and finishes. You can also choose between clear, tinted, or frosted glass to suit your aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
Recently, the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) has updated its regulations regarding glass balustrades. Frameless and semi-frameless glass balustrades without a top rail are no longer permitted. Compliance with the revised NZ Glazing Standard NZS 4223.3:2016 is now required, which mandates the use of interlinking handrails or alternative methods to ensure safety.
An interlinking handrail is a structural element that connects glass panels in a balustrade system, providing additional support and preventing falls. It is required to meet the new safety standards in the NZBC, ensuring that the balustrade can withstand specified loads in case of glass breakage.
The interlinking rail must be securely attached to a structural element, such as a wall or balustrade post, at the ends. It can be mounted on the top edge of the glass or attached using brackets on the side. Proper installation is crucial to ensure compliance with serviceability limits and overall safety.
For frameless glass balustrades, toughened safety laminated glass is recommended, particularly options like EVA glass or SentryGlas® with a stiff interlayer. These types are designed to enhance safety, ensuring that if a pane breaks, the glass remains held in place to prevent falls.
Yes, the cost of frameless glass balustrades can vary based on the materials used and the complexity of the installation. Systems that use SentryGlas®, for example, are typically more expensive than those using standard laminated or toughened glass. It's important to weigh the benefits of enhanced safety features against the overall budget for your project.
The size of the area you need to cover significantly influences the type of balustrade you choose, especially for extensive outdoor spaces. Experienced authorised UNEX installers play a crucial role in such cases. They can guide you to determine the optimal solution for your project, often suggesting a combination of various balustrade styles. This approach guarantees the most cost-effective and comprehensive solution.
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