When it comes to choosing hardware – Hinges, Brackets, Glass Clamps etc. for your Frameless and Semi-Frameless glass installations, there are many hardware options available and many manufacturers to choose from. The decision should be based upon suitable design and quality of products.

Balustrading & Pool Fencing
The options for installing Frameless and Semi Frameless toughened glass for Balustrading and Pool Fencing are endless. Post-Glazed units to Stand-off fittings, Glass Clamps to Channel Glazed and more.

Post Glazed
Semi Frameless Toughened Glass glazed between Posts – Silicon or Rubber fixed. The posts are usually either Aluminium or Stainless Steel – 304 or 316 Marine Grade Stainless.

Aluminium being a cheaper option is not as strong as steel posts but does have a powdercoating advantage to colour-match the existing environment.

The most common option is 50mm Stainless Steel post in either 304 or 316 Marine Grade steel. As the price difference between the two is minimal, it is worth choosing the latter for the benefits of the 316 anti-corrosion properties.

Standoff Fittings
Fully Frameless Toughened Glass fixed by Stainless Steel Stand-off fittings. These fittings are located towards the bas of the panels and fixed into the edge of the slab rather than into the top surface.

Stand-off fittings are available in a range of diameters from 30mm to 50mm and different lengths from 20mm to 100mm. Glass should be at least 12mm.

Glass Clamps
Fully Frameless Toughened Glass clamped at the base using Stainless Steel Glass Clamps (sometimes known as “Mini-Posts). These clamps are ‘corehole’ fixed into the deck and hold the glass off the deck by approximately 50mm allowing for drainage.

There are many versions and variations of these clamps on the market including those made from aluminium. It is strongly recommended that you choose only the strongest and highest quality product available, as these clamps must bare the full weight and wind loading of the glass.

Channel Glazed
Fully Frameless Toughened Glass fixed into a pre-prepared channel usually 150mm deep and is grouted into place using non-shrink grout. This channel is usually prepared during the concrete pouring stage of a new project.

However, if this style of glass glazing is an after-thought or being installed onto an existing development, a steel or aluminium U-channel maybe used as the supporting base for this type of Frameless Glass fixing. This channel is bolted down to the deck and remains exposed.

The major advantage of this type of Frameless Glass installation is the seamless design and un-interrupted panoramic view.

Pool Gate Hinged Springs, Floor Springs & Self Locking Latches
Gate Mounted Hinge - Self-closing hinges mounted onto the glass gate itself. Available in black plastic finish or Stainless Steel finish. Due to the nature of these hinges, we recommended not using glass above 8mm thickness and
approximately 900mm in width. This will help to increase the life of the hinge.

Floor Spring – In-ground floor spring that is fully adjustable and controls the closing speed of the gate. It offers much more ‘swing’ control and is common with Frameless systems where the typical glass used is either 10mm or 12mm toughened. An adjustable pivot supports the top of the glass gate.

With an abundance of Floor Springs on the market, it is vital to choose the highest quality product available, as it must support the full weight of the glass. The Floor Spring must also be reliable and fully adjustable. Beware of the cheap alternatives. AFGI will only use Dorma Floor Spring products.

Self Locking Latches
By law, your pool gate must be self-closing and have a self-locking mechanism installed. Again there are many products available with the most common being a ‘Magna-Latch’ side pull or top pull magnetic latching system.

As the ground clearance height for pool fencing is 1200mm and balustrading 1000mm, the most commonly used is the ‘Magna-Latch’ side pull system. Available finishes are black plastic or the more expensive mounted Stainless.

Showerscreen
The range of Hardware available for Frameless Glass Showerscreens is ever increasing. Australian Frameless Glass Installations endeavours to supply and install only quality Hinges and Brackets from reputable suppliers.

High Quality Showerscreen Hinges have Neoprene bushings (not plastic) and have strong clamping characteristics offering reliability, longetivity and safety.

Brackets, Floor clamps and other hardware should have a high quality surface finish free of any discolouration and have good bushings.

Please feel free to contact Australian Frameless Glass Installations for further information on any of the above listed products. We’d be happy to help.

The information provided in this website is a general information guide only and
should not be treated as technical advice. AFGI recommends speaking with a
licensed builder or architect in relation to individual circumstances and applications.
A copy of the Australian Standards is available from Standards Australia online.