How to Install Frameless Glass Railings: A Step-By-Step Guide
One of the most attractive aspects of frameless glass railings is that they are surprisingly easy to install using the following 12 steps.
Step 1: Inspect Your Frameless Glass Railings Delivery
There are only three parts to contend with when installing frameless glass rails:
12 mm tempered glass panels based on your specific dimension requirements
Fully cast solid 2205 marine-grade stainless steel spigots
6” GRK structural screw
There’s no fussing over endless tiny packages of varied screws and fasteners, making it easy to examine all the parts of your order. Your glass panels are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive intact.
However, it’s still important to inspect each piece for signs of damage. If you are missing parts or discover damage, simply contact NorthVue Glass and we’ll ship out new parts or panels right away.
Step 2: Enlist a Friend
Two people are required to safely and carefully lift the glass panels during installation. They are heavy and the risk of breakage increases when the panels are not handled properly.
Be sure you and/or those assisting with the installation are able to lift and manoeuvre the panels and that your glass railings are installed securely and damage-free.
Step 3: Safety First
We highly recommend anyone assisting with the installation to use the following personal protective equipment:
Safety boots/shoes
Safety glasses
Work gloves with a rubber palm for grip
Check the forecast to ensure there is no chance of rain. It is dangerous to handle wet glass panels as they become extremely slippery, increasing the risk of accidents and damage.
Step 4: Organize Your Tools
You’ll require the following tools:
Measuring tape
String line
Square
Power drill/impact driver
Torx T30 Driver Bit for supplied screws
Torpedo level with magnetic back
Level that is at least 24 inches
6 mm hex key/Allen wrench
Although not necessary, we highly recommend using a power drill with a quarter-inch drill bit to pre-drill your decking materials, such as composite decking and wood. Using the drill will make it easier to install the spigots. If you’re working with stone or concrete materials, a hammer drill with a quarter-inch masonry drill bit is required.
Step 5: Review Your Installation Drawing
NorthVue Glass provides a customized drawing to make it easier to understand how your system is sized and the way the parts go together. Match the drawing to your panels before you start to ensure everything is organized.
Although each order is carefully prepared based on your specifications, it’s best to carefully check the sizes to ensure everything is correct, and your system comes together properly.
Step 6: Install the Corner Spigots
Measure from the outer rim joist/fascia, starting on an outside 90-degree corner (as opposed to the deck board perimeter corner). Keep in mind that when measuring for spigot placement, you must start at the outside corner of the rim joist so you can accurately run a string line between them to create a baseline location for the rest of the spigot placement.
If you have a “facer” board secured to the outer rim joist, do not take it into account. Use the following measurements:
Outside corner to center of spigot is 13” (Figure 1)
Inside corner to center of spigot is 8.5” (Figure 2)
Wall/post to center of spigot is 11” (Figure 3)
Outer rim joist edge to center of screw holes is 3/4” (Figure 4)
Stringline (Figure 5)
Spigot location based on panel size (Figure 6)
Ensure the corner spigots are properly measured and located, level them, and then secure them in place with the screws.
Step 7: Place the Spigots for Each Railing Run
Before installing them, measure and place your spigots. Use the measurements indicated on your custom drawing, with the leading face touching the stringline you’ve made. Do not push on the stringline when placing the spigots, as this can lead to inaccuracies for the entire line of spigots as you work.
Place spigots inside the glass panel’s outer edge by 10” with the distance between spigots for a specific panel measuring 20” less than the actual glass panel size. The distance between the last spigot of one panel and the first spigot on the next panel will always be 21” (10” glass overhang + 1” gap between panels + 10” glass overhang).
Step 8: Confirm Glass Panel Sizes
With your spigots in place, you can confirm your glass panel sizes are correct and that you have all the panels required for each run of your glass railings. Anything that does not measure up could indicate either an error in the spigot placement, or your order.
Reach out to the NorthVue Glass team if you encounter an issue to review your work and determine if you require replacement panels, or need to adjust your spigot placement.
Step 9: Install the Spigots
If everything aligns properly, you can proceed with the rest of your spigot installations. Predrill the holes for your spigots before installing them using the GRK fasteners provided.
Do not use other screws, or you’ll void your warranty and also risk the integrity of your installation. Use your small torpedo level to confirm the spigot face is level for proper installation. Your order includes shims that you can place between the deck and spigot for any areas that aren’t level (refer to figures 1-5).
IMPORTANT
Use a small square to hold the spigots in place, or they can twist away from the deck perimeter/stringline as you work.
Step 10: Measure and Check Spigots Are Level
Measure your installed spigots to ensure the 10” dimension from the spigot centre to the panel edge is correct. Gaps between the glass panels should be even at 1”.
This step requires at least two people to lift and place your glass panels, as they must be installed straight down into the spigots. If the panels aren’t straight, you can place too much stress on the glass and break the panel.
Step 11: Install the Glass Panels
Check that the top of the first glass panel is level as a guide for the other panels. Raise each panel as you work to measure to the same height as the first panel, using shims between the bottom of the glass panel and the spigot throat as required.
Before tightening the spigot set screws, use a level on the face of each panel to ensure your panels are at a 90-degree angle to your decking surface. If the angle is not precise, place a shim between the decking and the bottom of the spigot for levelling.
Step 12: Install the Cover Rings
Ensure that all fasteners and set screws are tight before installing the two-piece cover rings over the GRK fasteners to complete your installation.
Contact the Frameless Glass Railings Professionals
For more information about NorthVue Glass frameless glass railings or installation, click here. You can also email us at Info@northvueglass.com or contact us online.