Glass Gates Safe & Stylish
Secure, lockable access solutions for swimming pools, roof terraces, and balconies with contemporary elegance.
Glass Gate Overview
We frequently receive requests for an opening and a lockable solution to provide safe access through a balustrade, whether it’s for a swimming pool area, a roof terrace, or another space where climbing over the balustrade isn’t an option. To meet this need, we have developed a frameless glass pool gate solution, which can be supplied as a standalone system or integrated seamlessly with our existing balustrade designs.
Are you looking to enclose a swimming pool or hot tub in a non-intrusive manner? Or looking to divide your garden into different, accessible zones? Or do you wish to have convenient - but lockable - access to a pathway, balcony, or stairs? If so, have you considered adding a glass gate?
Selecting a gate shouldn’t feel like a choice between safety and aesthetics. With our lockable glass gates – you don’t have to!
After realising there was a demand for stylish gates, we got to work creating a modern interpretation that replaces traditional wood and metal materials with a single panel of crystal-clear glass. Glass might be an unusual first choice for a gate, but when you start to think about it, you wonder why it hasn’t been used before! Forget obstructed views, rotting wood, or lack of sunlight and think abundant sunshine, low-maintenance, and uninterrupted scenic views.
All our glass gates are made-to-measure and frameless. The frameless design is what makes our gates so unique; it offers perfect visibility – a term you don’t tend to associate with gates. The glass provides a soft and elegant aesthetic, it doesn’t overpower the space it is in, yet it offers a safe and secure boundary.
The minimal use of metalwork and the maximum use of glass enlarges your sense of space – an important factor if you have a small garden – and it also allows you to take full advantage of your scenic view.
Read on to discover what glass gate options we have available.
Glass Gate Options and How They Work
Our signature glass gate system offers an array of design possibilities. Our most popular order is when the glass gate is integrated with either our Hybrid® Aerofoil or Hybrid® Orbit Balustrade system. You have the flexibility of situating your glass gate either mid-run or using it to conclude your balustrade elegantly.
The balustrade and gate systems integration is possible as the balustrade uses the same post that supports the gate. The balustrade handrail extends until it reaches the gate post and is then capped and fitted to the top of the post. The glass gate bridges the gap between the suspended balustrade and is hung and secured between the two posts, creating a seamless transition between the two systems.
Perhaps you’re not planning to install a balustrade, but instead, you intend on fitting a gate between two pre-existing fence panels or at the foot of a staircase – in that case, you have the option of choosing a standalone glass gate. A standalone gate is when the glass panel is framed by two sturdy posts: a strike plate post and a hinged post – this is explained in more detail below.
But what if you’re planning on installing a Frameless Glass Balustrade in your garden and want a complementary gate, I hear you say? Well, in that instance, a standalone gate is installed. A standalone gate is installed the same as our Frameless Glass Balustrade is, it does not use vertical posts in the system, meaning that there isn’t anywhere to affix the gate’s hinges or latch, so a standalone gate with a separate post system is fitted.
The standalone gate is installed in close, horizontal alignment with the Frameless system, creating an illusion of one whole structure, even though the two systems aren’t attached or mechanically joined.
Standalone Gate Dimensions
| Glass width | 921 mm |
|---|---|
| Glass height | 1,090 mm |
| Overall system height | 1,125 mm |
| Post-centre spacing | 1,058 mm |
Safety Glass
Each gate is made with 10mm toughened glass which has been tempered and reinforced to be approximately four times stronger than regular float glass. Customers can choose between clear, satin, or tinted glass. Satin and tinted glass are made-to-order; their costs and lead times vary. Please speak to our Specialist Product Consultants to discuss these variances at the point of order.
Posts and Base Plate
| Primary post | 60 × 60 mm |
|---|---|
| Cover post | 66 × 75 mm |
| Base plate | 150 × 150 mm |
Each glass gate is secured to a surface structure with two robust, vertical posts on either side of the glass panel; the strike plate post and the hinge posts. The lock latch is located on the strike plate post, and the hinge post has two hinge connectors that fasten with the glass panel.
The posts are comprised of a two-part system; the first part is a galvanised steel primary post, and the second part is an anodised aluminium cover post. We use steel for our primary posts since it is three times stronger than aluminium. The steel posts have been coated in a layer of zinc to reinforce the posts further to withstand high levels of mechanical stress.
The primary posts have been designed to support the gate’s swing by securing a wide base plate (150x150mm) to a structural surface which absorbs the structural load. Depending on the aesthetic you require and the structural surface you are fixing into, you have the option to fit your base plates either above or below the finished floor level.
The secondary post is for decorative purposes. The sleek, rectangular pillars are fabricated with anodised aluminium; these cover posts slide over and envelop the primary posts to conceal the unpolished steel.
*Thinner posts are available, but their use depends on their application and are usually only available when they are part of a balustrade system – you can discuss post options with the technical team once you have placed your order.
Metalwork Finishes
Complete the look of your gate by choosing either Silver or Royal Chrome finishes for the post sleeves, handle and mechanical components. We use anodised aluminium to create our proprietary finish on our systems instead of stainless steel since it will not blemish like steel, and it is impervious to daily wear, rust, and corrosion, even in coastal locations. Not only that but our anodised finishes are also guaranteed for ten years!
Technical Specification & Demonstration
View the technical drawing for Balconette's frameless glass gate system.
Select the drawing to view it at full size.
A glass balustrade gate is not considered a permanent guarding solution and is not designed to withstand the same loads as a full balustrade or safety barrier. These are lockable gates and should be treated as such. If you have any questions about your specific application or regulatory requirements, we recommend consulting your local council or a planning consultant to ensure this solution is suitable for your project.
Glass Gate Safety and Design Limitations
We understand that glass isn’t usually the first choice for gates, and it’s natural to worry about the safety of glass, especially if you have young children or pets running around. Toughened glass and suitable hardware can form part of a well-designed access gate, but safe use depends on the installation, functioning lock and hinges, regular inspections and suitability for the location.
Our glass has been designed for external use and is resilient against the elements. The glass is designed for outdoor use, but the gate and its moving parts still require regular inspection, cleaning and maintenance. In particular, hinges, locks, fixings and gaskets must be kept in good condition; missed maintenance can compromise safe operation.
Our glass gates are a natural pairing with properties that have pools or hot tubs because when water is involved, safety must be the number one priority. When combined with our balustrading, a glass gate provides a secure and robust border for your pool area, helping control access to the water when properly specified, fitted and secured. The gate is fitted with a sophisticated lock, so you have full access to the water, but you can also secure it when the pool isn’t in use, but a gate is not a substitute for appropriate pool safety measures, supervision or compliance checks.
Aside from its aesthetic, barely-there appeal, the glass gate has an additional function, clear glass can maintain sightlines across the area. Visibility may make it easier to see activity near a pool, but it does not replace active, close supervision or a properly assessed pool safety barrier.
It's important to consider that even though our glass has inherent strength, our glass gates are not designed to meet the same loads that our balustrades can. This product is a lockable gate that swings to open and close, it isn’t a permanent guard, therefore you cannot apply the same loads on it that you would for a balustrade.
If you have any queries on your specific application, then please consult with your local council or planning consultant to confirm the requirements of your specific project and make sure this product is suitable.
Glass Gate Installation Guide
View the installation instructions for Balconette's glass gate system, including fitting guidance and installation details.
↓ View Installation Guide (PDF)For safe fitting and suitability, we recommend installation by a suitably qualified and experienced installer. Our installation instructions are provided to assist planning and competent installation; DIY fitting should not be undertaken without the skills needed to assess the supporting structure, fixings and applicable requirements.
You can download and print off any of our helpful installation guides or technical specs available on our website. If you’re more of a visual learner, our installation videos can help explain the fitting process. And if you have a question mid-install, fear not, as our experienced and friendly Customer Care team are on hand to answer any question, no matter how small or trivial it may seem.
A suitably qualified tradesperson or one of our Registered Partners may be able to assist with the gate installation, subject to confirming the project requirements. We have a network of UK-based Registered Partners and will happily contact one of them to assist you in completing your project.
History
Originally, we supplied an aluminium-framed gate and door solution, but we have since introduced an all-glass option that fixes to newel posts on either side. This frameless glass gate has now become our preferred solution, as customers find it more aesthetically pleasing and modern. At Balconette, we offer lockable frameless glass gates and doors, which are particularly popular around pools, providing both safety and elegance along with added convenience. These gates complement our Glass Balustrades perfectly, offering a sleek, contemporary alternative to traditional wooden fences or gates.
Balconette's Frameless Glass Gate Installation Options
Glass Gate combined with the Aerofoil Balustrade
Glass Gate (Standalone) Posts fitted below Floor (BFFL)
Glass Gate combined with the Orbit Balustrade
Glass Gate (Standalone) Posts above Floor (AFFL)
Looking for a matching glass balustrade? Explore our wider range of glass balustrades .
Everyday Care for Your Glass Gate
Taking care of your glass gate is easier than you might think, and a little attention goes a long way. Wipe the glass regularly with a soft cloth and a gentle, ammonia-free cleaner to keep it clear and shiny. Check the hinges, locks, fixings and gaskets visually every few months, inspect and maintain the mechanisms at least every six months, and arrange a thorough condition check at least annually. If you notice minor scratches, a professional glass polishing kit can help, but for deeper damage, it's best to call a certified installer to replace the panel safely. With just a few simple steps, your glass gate will stay beautiful, safe, and ready to impress for years to come.
Routine Mechanism Checks
Keeping your glass gate in showroom condition is a simple task and it doesn’t require tiring elbow grease.
At least every six months, check that the hinges, locks and other mechanisms operate smoothly and that the gaskets remain secure against the glass. Replace worn or missing components and lubricate moving parts only with a product suitable for the specific hardware, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Arrange a thorough condition check at least annually, and inspect sooner if anything becomes loose, damaged or difficult to operate.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a coastal location, all moving parts should be cleaned and lubricated more frequently to ensure that there is no salt build-up and the gate’s swinging motion is frictionless. All our locking components and hardware are guaranteed for two years.
*This is reduced to one year if you live within three miles of the sea.
To obtain the best lifespan possible for your glass, we recommend that you get it coated in our BalcoNano® self-cleaning solution. The solution forms a hard, water-repellent surface that protects the glass from lodging dirt, grime, and other deposits. Our Balconette team can apply the self-cleaning solution during manufacture, or you can apply the BalcoNano® solution at home with our self-application sachets.
After the coating is applied, very little intervention is needed to keep your glass in pristine condition – a quick wipe down with a damp cloth will do the trick!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are glass gates safe for children and pets?
Toughened safety glass and secure locks can help control access, but suitability must be assessed for each location. Glass gates are not permanent guarding or a substitute for supervision, and hinges and latches need regular checks.
2. How do I clean my glass gate without damaging it?
Use a soft cloth and a mild, ammonia-free glass cleaner. Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemicals, which can scratch or cloud the glass.
3. Can I install a glass gate myself?
We recommend a suitably qualified and experienced installer. The supporting structure, fixings and local requirements must be assessed; incorrect fitting can compromise safety and operation.
4. What should I do if my glass gets scratched or chipped?
Minor scratches can sometimes be polished out with a professional glass polishing kit. For deeper damage, always consult a certified installer to replace the panel — DIY fixes can be dangerous.
5. Do glass gates meet UK Building Regulations?
Compliance cannot be assumed. A glass gate is not permanent guarding and is not designed to meet balustrade loading requirements. For balconies, pool areas or other safety-critical applications, consult the relevant building control authority or a qualified professional to confirm whether the gate is suitable.
6. How often should I inspect my glass gate?
Visually check hinges, locks, fixings and gaskets every few months; inspect and maintain the mechanisms at least every six months; and arrange a thorough condition check at least once a year. Check more frequently in coastal locations or if problems are noticed.
7. Can glass gates be customised?
Absolutely — you can choose different finishes, tints, handle styles, and locking mechanisms to suit your design and functional needs.
Contact Us
Have glass gates captured your attention? If so, our trained experts are just a phone call away to discuss your glass gate options and help you turn your plans into a reality - contact us here for more details.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Use the instant quotation tool for glass balustrade pricing. For a glass gate quotation, contact our specialist team to discuss your requirements.
