Project Portfolio: Core-Drilled Glass Balustrade System (Dronfield)

Project Overview

Client: Jason

Location: Dronfield, Derbyshire

System: Stainless Steel & Glass Balustrade (System 1)

Scope: Survey, bespoke manufacture, and core-drill installation for a 7-metre raised patio perimeter including raking stairs.

Engineering for Elevated Safety

The primary challenge for this Dronfield residence was the elevation of the rear patio. A standard surface-mount fixing (screwing into the top paving slabs) is often insufficient for safety barriers, as slabs can move or crack under lateral pressure.

• Bespoke Geometry: The 7-metre run featured two custom-angled corners and a raking section for the steps. Each glass panel was custom-cut to follow the specific incline of the stairs, ensuring a uniform gap and a continuous handrail.

• Material Spec: High-quality 316G brushed stainless steel uprights paired with 10mm clear toughened safety glass, providing a modern aesthetic without obstructing the garden view.

• UKCA Compliance: As with all our structural metalwork, this system is manufactured to BS EN 1090-2 standards, ensuring it meets legal load-bearing requirements for residential use.

Technical Expert Insight: The Superiority of Core-Drill Fixing

For Jason’s project, we advised against standard base-plate fixings. On a raised patio, fixing into the top layer of paving or the top course of brickwork creates a "weak point" because the stone can delaminate or pull away. Instead, we utilized a professional core-drill fixing method. We drilled deep into the primary structural brickwork (below the patio surface) and set the stainless steel posts into high-strength, non-shrink grout. This technique transfers the "leverage" of the balustrade directly into the building's core structure, making the system significantly more rigid and secure than any surface-mounted alternative.

Get a Quote from the Balustrade Experts

Do you have a raised patio or a complex garden layout? Don't settle for "surface-fixed" systems that might wobble over time. Trust our in-house installation team—we never use subcontractors—to provide a rock-solid, core-drilled solution.

• View the Product: Shop our System 1 Balustrades

• See Our Other Systems: Glass Balustrade Designs

• Contact the Workshop: Call 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk.