Creating a virtually invisible safety barrier, a frameless glass balustrade offers unobstructed views and a sleek, elegant finish, as well as compliance with all regulations protecting people from falls from height. They are the ideal choice when you are looking to maximise a view, such as at the edge of external balconies or terraces in picturesque, coastal, rural or high-rise locations, or when you want to enhance the feeling of space in internal applications, such as landings and mezzanines.
Unlike framed systems where glass panels are fixed to vertical support posts, frameless systems use either continuous base channels, glass stand-offs or spigots to securely clamp the glass. This page considers our range of continuous aluminium base channels.
Enabling the construction of ultra-modern, minimalist, yet highly effective and functional barriers, our continuous base channels meet all legislative requirements across a wide range of residential and light, medium and heavy duty commercial applications, without compromising on style.
At BM Architectural, our range of frameless glass channels include fully tested systems to 0.36kN/m, 0.74kN/m, 1.5kN/m and 3kN/m to suit every balustrade load class in BS 6180, from single family dwellings to offices, restaurants, shopping malls and stadiums. These lightweight channels have a high strength to weight ratio and all fixings are concealed.
Where a handrail is required, this can either be slotted over the top glass edge or fixed on brackets bolted through holes in the glass.
Tested up to 1.5kN to BS 6180
EazyFit is a fully tested channel system to BS 6180 and suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial projects up to 1.5kN/m, both indoor and outdoor. It suits glass thickness from 12mm to 21.5mm and uses a dry-glazed clamp system to securely hold the glass in place, enabling panels to be easily removed and replaced if required.
These off-the-shelf, pre-drilled channel profiles are light in weight and enable the fast, clean and simple installation of a glass balustrade to either a concrete, steel or timber structure (Timber: base fixing only, using our unique, fully tested timber plate).
This system’s special two-sided screw-clamp technology allows the final glass position to be fully adjustable to fine tune panel alignment or correct any anomalies in the structure. The system does not require sealant or specialist tools. Please consult literature or call us for glass deductions by glass thickness.
Anodised mill, Satin anodised brushed, Anodised black brushed
119.5mm high x 72mm wide
400mm (0.36kN and 0.74kN) or 200mm (1.5kN)
Available in 3m and 6m lengths.
Suits 12mm to 21.5mm glass.
Handrail, Top Bead, Side Cladding, Pre-Made Corners, Bottom Cover
Tested up to 3kN for standard 1.1m high balustrades and 1.5kN for 2m high, to BS 6180
EazyFit Pro is a heavy duty, fully adjustable, 3kN commercial balustrade system. It can be used to create a public safety barrier in larger commercial installations where there are areas susceptible to overcrowding, such as in theatres, shopping centres and grandstands.
These channel profiles offer all the same benefits as the EazyFit systems mentioned above. They are available off-the-shelf, pre-drilled and use a clean, dry-glazed clamp system to enable installers to adjust and align glass panels with ease to fine tune positioning. Glass can be easily removed and replaced if required.
These three metre profiles are available in two models for either side or base fixing, with both models suitable for fixing to either concrete or steel.
The EazyFit Pro frameless glass balustrade system can be fortified using a conversion kit to become either bomb blast resistant or bulletproof. See Anti-Terror Balustrade.
Anodised mill
Side Fix: 167mm high x 96mm wide
Base Fix: 132mm high x 96mm wide
200mm
Available in 3m lengths.
Side Fix: Suits 25mm to 31.5mm glass
Base Fix: Suits 25mm to 33mm glass
Handrail, Top Bead, Side/Base Fix Cladding, Pre-Made Corners, End Caps
Tested up to 3kN to BS 6180
The EazyLock range includes fully tested systems to all load classes in BS 6180, making these channels suitable for all residential, light-medium commercial and heavy-duty applications.
Like EazyFit, EazyLock offers a fast and clean way to erect a glass balustrade. The added benefit of EazyLock over the EazyFit systems above though, is that installation and adjustment can take place from the safety of the balcony side, eliminating the need for scaffolding or mechanical plant hire.
Featuring highly engineered, rotating pressure plate technology, this system has excellent tilt adjustment, offering over 4 degrees of glass alignment correction.
The 3kN model is suitable for base fixing only, while the 0.74kN and 1.5kN models can be side or base fixed. In addition, a UL variation is available with an additional leg, allowing the fixings to be offset from the base of the channel. All variations are suitable for fixing to either steel or concrete.
Anodised mill and satin anodised brushed
106mm high x 80mm wide
200mm
Available in 3m and 6m lengths.
Suits 12mm to 21.5mm (0.36kN, 0.74kN, 1.5kN) and 25.5mm (3kN)
Handrail, Top Bead, Side Cladding, Pre-Made Corners, End Caps
Our handrail options are all easy to install and provide a stylish finishing touch to any glass balustrade.
Suitable for use with all frameless systems – continuous channels, stand-offs or spigots – our slotted stainless steel handrails are available as circular, square or rectangular sections. They are supplied in six metre lengths in either grade 304 or 316 with a satin finish (320 grit) and can be mirror polished on request.
As an alternative to slotted handrails that fit over the top of a glass balustrade, we also supply handrails that bolt through the glass; a popular choice when a balustrade is over 1100mm high and a handrail is required at a more comfortable height for users. These stainless steel systems comprise either fixed or articulated offset brackets, that are designed to suit a range of glass thickness (8-25mm, 12-30mm), and ornamental tube, typically either 42mm or 48mm in diameter and supplied in six metre lengths. All components are available in grade 304 or 316 stainless steel, satin finish 320 grid and can be mirror polished on request.
Stiffeners are typically used in external applications which are subject to high winds or other forces that may affect the position of individual glass panels. They help maintain glass alignment by providing extra stability to the balustrade while retaining the overall frameless aesthetic.
Click these links for our other frameless glass systems:
Class A Fire-Rated Glass Balustrade for a fire-safe solution on high-rise residential buildings
Anti-Terror Glass Balustrade where a bullet- or blast-proof solution is required
