Supremely stylish and great for enhancing natural light, glass staircases are an attractive design feature that can transform your home or office into a bright and welcoming space. But although they undoubtedly look the part, are glass staircases actually safe?
If you’re considering indulging in a glass staircase but you have one or two safety concerns then luckily you’ve come to the right place. Ultimately, the safety of these products depends on a number of factors, so let’s go over them one by one to cover any concerns you have and hopefully put your mind at ease.
Regulations
First and foremost, the safety of any glass staircase will primarily depend on whether it conforms to the relevant health and safety regulations.
The UK’s Building Regulations make sure that various rules are in place to ensure the safety of any glass staircase installation, and these cover things like glass thickness, staircase height and the need for a support structure.
The regulatory requirements are heavily dependent on the space the staircase is being installed in and in all honesty it doesn’t make for very exciting reading! But if you’re unsure about anything or you’re looking for some specific information about these regulations then don’t hesitate to reach out as we’re always happy to help.
Quality of Materials
Following on from the previous point, the safety of any installation is heavily dependent on the quality of the materials used to make it. A glass staircase should always be made from tempered or reinforced glass to protect it and prevent it from cracking or shattering upon impact.
If the quality of the glass meets the required safety standards then there should be nothing to worry about regarding safety.
Thickness of Glass
It goes without saying that the strength of a glass staircase relies heavily on the thickness of the glass panels. Generally speaking, the thicker the glass, the stronger it should be.
With that said, the appropriate thickness depends on the specific design and the load-bearing requirements of the staircase, but the Building Regulations state that as a minimum, 15mm toughened glass panels must be used.
Hire A Reputable Installer
Considering all the above, the most important point to consider when you’re looking to have this kind of staircase installed is the company you’re hiring to do the work.
A reputable company will consider all of the above – adherence to Building Regulations, quality of materials and thickness of the glass – and, thus, the staircase they install will be safe for your space.
Conversely, hiring a company with a less-than-stringent approach to safety or a lack of installation expertise might result in you receiving a staircase that isn’t as safe as you’d want it to be. So always do your research and hire a reputable company with a history of providing a high-quality service and lots of positive testimonials.
So those are the main factors to consider when it comes to these installations. Are they safe? Absolutely, as long as they meet the correct standards and are installed by a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals who take safety seriously.
