Glazing Applications

Glass in Staircases

glass in staircases - iq glass - edis street

The use of glass in staircases as a safety panel or stair tread is becoming increasingly popular as a means of introducing natural daylight into interiors and opening up areas that would otherwise be left in the dark. Glass in staircases, including contemporary designs like floating stairs and modern glass staircases, allows for creative and stylish solutions in both residential and commercial settings.

Glass has a misleading reputation for being fragile. In reality, modern manufacturing techniques produce toughened and laminated glass that is incredibly strong, and safe for use in staircases. A piece of 8mm toughened glass will be able to withstand a steel ball weighing 500g dropped from a height of over 2 metres. This high-quality glass is often stronger than traditional materials like wood, making it suitable for modern staircases and floating staircase designs. 

Glass staircases in Apple Stores are an iconic example; it's important to note that the glass used in these constructions is chemically toughened, which results in very strong glass finishes (with a very high cost attached to it). However, there are more cost-effective solutions available, such as using extra-strength laminated glass with specialist strengthening interlayers, allowing for a variety of staircase designs, including floating stairs and contemporary staircases. 

Using extra-strength laminated glass with specialist strengthening interlayers should suffice on most projects and allows the stair treads to be made from the glass itself. As the glass will be a walk-on item, it will need to have some kind of anti-slip finish for safety reasons, but this will still maintain the light transmission and, depending on what coating is applied, its transparency. To ensure safety, glass stair treads can be treated with anti-slip finishes or constructed from textured glass, reducing the risk of slipping while maintaining transparency and light transmission. 

Glass panels or balustrades can be fixed at the base or ‘hung’ from up above to create a completely glazed safety barrier.These glass balustrades can be integrated into various staircase designs, such as glass and wood staircases or glass and oak staircases, providing contemporary staircase ideas that blend different materials for aesthetic appeal. 

 

glass in staircases - elm park road - iq glass

Due to the thick, laminated panels used in these large, extra-strength glass assemblies, we would always recommend using Low Iron glasswhich will reduce the inherent greening properties of thicker glass assemblies. Low Iron glass enhances the clarity and transparency of the glass, making it ideal for modern floating stairs and contemporary glass stairs where the visual impact is paramount. 

IQ provides many bespoke stair designs, either using structural glass assemblies or a combination of materials such as cantilevered timber or stone treads. For example, you can use inverted glass screens acting as balustrades (i.e., hung from soffits) or more traditional steel stringer solutions with the glass treads suspended between them and a glass balustrade structurally bonded to the outer faceThese designs can range from glass modern staircases to floating staircases, incorporating elements like oak stairs with glass balustrades to create stunning wood and glass staircase combinations. 

When it comes to more embellished design, a vast choice of finishes, colours, or interlayer materials such as fabric, photo prints, metals, timbers, or stone can be laminated into the glass panels of the balustrade or to create a more decorative effect. Also LED Glass or integral LED lighting can be used to provide edge illumination or a soft glow under the treads. These customisations provide endless glass staircase ideas, allowing clients to create unique staircase designs that reflect their personal style and complement the interior design of their homes or businesses. 

When using glass, the stairs do not need to be straight. Organic shapes can be incorporated on plan or in elevation with curves and corners depending on the fixings available. With advances in fire-glass, fire-rated glass stairs are available in 30/30 or 60/60 ratings, opening up staircases as ‘features’ in homes, restaurants, or public spaces. Whether you're considering stairs modern in style or more traditional with a modern twist, glass staircases offer flexibility in design, including options like glass walls on stairs or glass wall staircases for an open and airy atmosphere. 

 

Glass staircases are a versatile and contemporary solution for both residential and commercial properties. From modern glass staircases to floating stair designs, to glass banister ideas, the possibilities are endless. With safety, aesthetics, and customisation options, glass staircases can transform any space into a modern architectural masterpiece. 

 

Are you working on a project with a requirement for walk-on glass and frameless glass balustrades? Contact Us Now!