GLASS&SEALEDUNITS
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Why is glass now such a popular material in
balustrade design, what are its advantages and
how can specifiers ensure it is installed safely and
with minimal maintenance issues? Simon Boocock,
Managing Director of CRL Europe, takes a look.
» HIGHLY VISIBLE AND A PRACTICAL
necessity, balustrades are one of the most
important features of a staircase and they are
increasingly being chosen to make a focal
point in building interiors and exteriors.
The benefits of specifying glass in
architectural design are as clear as the material
itself. Highly durable, glass facades, including
ventilated glass façade systems with an open
structure, are often now added to older
architecture as an extra layer of protection
against the elements. This is a material that
offers many practical benefits that sit well with
specifiers working commercial and residential
architecture, such as thermal insulation,
solar control, acoustics, fire protection, safety
and security. And that is not to mention
the physical versatility of glass, which can
literally be chosen to work alongside any other
material and within any setting.
Internally, one of the biggest challenges for
architects is lack of natural light; particularly
when there are lots of rooms within rooms
as is often the case in commercial buildings
such as office blocks, schools and public
buildings. The use of glass enables natural light
to flow and a high-end look to be achieved,
while acoustics and privacy levels can also be
managed effectively.
The cost effectiveness of glass is another
advantage – this very durable material will last
a long time and creates a timeless impression,
so won’t need to be frequently replaced with
any modernisation of a building’s interior.
Letting natural light through will also save on
energy bills, making glass a very cost-effective
resource too.
One of the potential pitfalls of the overuse
of glass for commercial buildings though,
is the effect of solar heat gain; warming a
building with the flow of natural sunlight
certainly increases energy efficiency and makes
for sustainable construction, but too much
uncontrollable heat will make the interior
uncomfortable.
Glass balustrades and facades were therefore
the preferred choice for specifiers working on
the new Banc of California in Los Angeles.
The facility features custom-made all-glass
entrances, glass railings, and bullet resistant
transaction systems which enhance the
aesthetics and function of the stadium.
A key feature within the building is a
frameless glass balustrade system, which with
its clean sightlines and minimal hardware
improves views while increasing safety. Hand
rails were also installed with LED lighting
for improved visibility and aesthetic appeal.
With no scaffold required, the system enabled
installation to be completed from the safe
side of the balustrade from start to finish.
The stadium faced an aggressive construction
timeframe yet managed to open weeks ahead
of schedule and in time for the new season.
CRL’s rapid customization capabilities and
robust distribution network offers one of the
shortest lead times in the industry, which
helped expedite the project.
From a practical viewpoint for installers,
toughened glass, wherever it is used in a
building needn’t be difficult to install or
maintain. With the right systems chosen,
glass systems can be straightforward to fit,
even retrospectively, enabling the open-plan
space to be easily adapted to suit changing
requirements. Dry-glazed systems are
particularly effective for modern interior
designs as they are quick and easy to install,
ultimately providing maximum transparency
and an elegant appearance.
CRL’s DRS Door Rails and Blumcraft®
Panic Handles were installed throughout the
stadium, including VIP entrances and suites.
DRS Door Rails provide clean, uninterrupted
glass spans, which give the entrances a
contemporary, all-glass aesthetic.
CRL’s taper-Loc glass balustrade system is
a dry wall system that is easy to install and
maintain, leading it to be chosen by installers
working on prestigious projects such as the
Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
For further information call 01706 863600,
email [email protected],
or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk
66 » JUN 2020 » CLEARVIEW-UK.COM