If installed properly, a glass balustrade offers one of the neatest and most outstanding improvements a home can get. When it's done wrong, it becomes a costly issue that is hard and disruptive to fix later. 

In most cases, the errors are unnoticed details that only become an issue later. Here are the common problems you should be aware of prior to any installation.

Using the wrong type of glass for the environment

Standard toughened glass is a good option for many homes. But not all settings. 

Coastal locations are subject to salt air. It speeds up the corrosion of metal fittings. If the wrong specification is used, this can affect the edges of glass panels over time. 

Laminated safety glass provides an extra measure of protection in such environments. It also applies in other applications where the consequences of panel failure are especially serious. 

Some homeowners use the same glass specification regardless of the location of the property and the environmental conditions. This is a mistake that manifests as the installation ages and the effects of the surrounding environment build up.

Choosing the wrong glass thickness for the application

Glass fencing systems are specified based on a set of engineering calculations that incorporate:

• Panel thickness
• Post spacing
• Panel height
• Anticipated load
• Specific fencing installation method. 

There are specific requirements for:

• High-traffic areas
• High wind load areas
• Pool fencing applications.

In such cases, you must use premium glass fencing that can withstand high demands.

The thinner the panel chosen, the lower the integrity of the structure, a choice that is only realized under real-world stress.

Poor substrate preparation before installation

The overall durability of the system depends on how the surface where the spigots or base channels are inserted is treated. 

You should watch out for weak fixing points such as:

• Concrete that has not fully cured
• Timber decking with hidden rot
• Surfaces that are not properly cleaned and assessed before drilling, etc.

Such spots loosen over time as a result of:

• Load 
• Vibration
• Weather exposure. 

Regardless of the quality of the glass panels and fittings, a balustrade system can only be structurally sound if the underlying substrate is structurally sound. 

Incorrect post spacing

The distance between spigots or posts directly affects the load each panel carries and the system's performance when impacted. Spacing posts too far apart will make the unsupported span of each panel longer. The system becomes less effective in distributing the force. 

This calculation should be done by a professional. Not estimated visually on site. Incorrect spacing is difficult and expensive to correct once panels are in place. The consequences of getting it wrong range from a system that feels unstable underfoot to one that fails under load.

Overlooking drainage around base channels

Base channel installations at the deck or floor level must have adequate drainage around them. This prevents water from collecting in the channel, which can accelerate corrosion. 

After rain, some channels hold water against the metal fittings and the base of the glass panels. This creates conditions for:

• Rust
• Staining 
• Long-term structural deterioration. 

It is better to account for drainage at the installation stage via:

• Weep holes in the channel
• Proper slope in the surrounding surface 
• Correct sealing at the channel edges. 

Otherwise, it is far more disruptive to fix afterward. 

Forgetting thermal expansion

When temperature changes, glass expands and contracts. Some balustrade systems are not designed to accommodate this movement. So, they develop problems over time. 

Some panels are rigidly fixed, leaving no allowance for thermal expansion. As a result, the glass is stressed during temperature fluctuations. 

This stress results in:

• Cracking around fixing points
• Loosening of spigots
• Panel failure in extreme cases. 

A good system will have rubber or neoprene gaskets around the fixing points. They allow a little movement of the glass without compromising the system’s structural integrity.

Failure to comply with local council and building code requirements

Balustrade installation in Australia is regulated by building codes and standards. But they differ depending on the use. For example, pool fencing has different requirements to a deck balustrade or an internal staircase railing. 

Before installation, you must verify things like the:

• Minimum height
• Load-bearing
• Gate requirements.

Non-compliance requires rectification at the owner's expense.

Overlooking the details on fittings and handles

Low-quality and poorly specified fittings will rust more quickly in marine or humid areas. They will lose their finish in a few seasons and create movement over time, which compromises panel stability. 

Handles that are poorly positioned, difficult to operate, or not compliant with self-latching requirements create both a usability problem and a safety liability that defeats the purpose of installing a quality system in the first place.

DIY installation without professional qualifications

Some homeowners attempt glass balustrade installation without professional qualifications or experience. The consequences of an improperly installed balustrade system go beyond aesthetics. 

A structurally compromised installation in a pool fence or elevated deck creates real safety risks. There are legal consequences as well as physical ones. 

In Australia, the installation must be certified by a qualified professional and inspected for compliance before it can be considered legally compliant. Especially with pool fencing installations, 

Not planning for future maintenance access

A glass balustrade installation that has not considered how the system will be cleaned and maintained during its lifetime will create practical difficulties. For example:

• Panels that are installed in locations that are difficult to access safely for cleaning
• Spigots that are positioned in such a way that they cannot be re-tightened without removing surrounding materials 
• Base channels that are sealed in such a way that they cannot be inspected.

Such elements make the ongoing maintenance that any installation will require unduly difficult. 

Designing maintenance access into the design from the outset means the system can be properly maintained throughout its life. 

Summing up

Making mistakes in the installation of a glass balustrade is almost always easier and cheaper to prevent than to fix once installed. Ensure the following:

• The right glass for the environment

• Proper glass thickness
• Correct substrate preparation
• Adequate drainage
• Proper thermal expansion
• Proper spacing 
• Proper selection of quality hardware
• Compliance with the building codes
• Professional installation
• Ease of maintenance.

This can guarantee a high-quality, trouble-free glass balustrade installation.