Stainless Steel & Glass Balustrade to Entrance Steps — Sheffield (S6)
Dio-Met surveyed, designed, manufactured and installed a stainless steel and glass balustrade to the front entrance steps of a home in Walkley, Sheffield. The house sits above its garden with a flight of sandstone and brick steps up to the door, so the client wanted a balustrade that guards the edge and gives a proper handhold on the climb without blocking the light or the outlook. We used our Stainless Steel Glass Balustrade with Handrail (System 1), which pairs polished stainless posts and a rake-following handrail with clear toughened glass infill.
Project overview
- Client: Residential
- Location: Sheffield (S6)
- System: System 1 stainless steel and glass balustrade with handrail
- Posts: Marine-grade 316 stainless steel, base-plated and fixed to the steps and terrace (core drill installation)
- Infill: Clear toughened glass panels held in stainless clamps
- Handrail: Round stainless steel handrail, set to follow the rake of the steps and run level along the top
- Use: External, to a flight of entrance steps and the raised terrace at the top
- Certification: Steelwork to BS EN 1090, UKCA marked
- Scope: Survey, design, manufacture and installation
The brief
The approach to the house is a run of steps rising from the garden to the front door, with a raised terrace at the top. It needed guarding and a secure handrail for coming and going safely, but the client did not want a heavy, solid barrier closing the approach in. A stainless steel and glass balustrade was the natural answer: the glass keeps the steps feeling open and lets light through to the planting either side, while the stainless handrail gives a firm, comfortable hold the whole way up.
Design and installation
Dio-Met surveyed the steps and terrace, then designed the balustrade to suit the rise and the changes in level and made it in our Sheffield workshops. The posts are marine-grade 316 stainless steel- core-drill fixed through the stone and the terrace with a finishing cover rose, with clear toughened glass panels set between them in stainless clamps. The round stainless handrail is the key detail on a stepped run like this: it is set to follow the exact rake of the steps and then run level along the top, so the hold is continuous and comfortable from the bottom step to the door. Being marine-grade stainless and toughened glass, it is made to live outside and shrug off the Sheffield weather with nothing more than the occasional wipe down. The steelwork is made to BS EN 1090 and UKCA marked.
Expert insight
"On a flight of steps the handrail is what makes it work. Setting the stainless rail to the exact rake of the steps, then levelling it off along the top, gives you a hold that stays at the right height the whole way up. The glass just keeps everything open around it."
Frequently asked questions
Is stainless steel and glass suitable outside? Yes. We use marine-grade 316 stainless steel and toughened glass, both made to be outside all year round. It needs no more than an occasional wipe down with a general stainless or glass cleaner to keep it looking its best.
Can you follow a flight of steps with the handrail? Yes. As on this project, we set the stainless handrail to the exact rake of the steps and run it level along the top, so the handhold is continuous and stays at a comfortable height throughout. We survey the steps first and make the balustrade to suit.
Is a glass balustrade with handrail building-regulation compliant? Yes. Our System 1 balustrade is UKCA marked with steelwork to BS EN 1090, and the handrail option meets the guarding requirements for steps and terraces. Our glass balustrade building regulations guide sets out the height and loading requirements.
Do you supply and fit, or supply only? Both. This was a full survey, design, make and install job in Sheffield, but System 1 is also available supply-only as a fit-ready kit for your own installer, anywhere in the UK.
Explore more from Dio-Met
Related products
- Stainless Steel Glass Balustrade with Handrail (System 1)
- Metal & Glass Balustrades
- Handrails
- Bespoke Balustrade Systems
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Helpful guides
Planning a balustrade for your steps or terrace?
If you have a flight of steps, a balcony or a terrace that needs a stainless steel and glass balustrade with a proper handrail, we survey, design, make and fit to suit, or supply a fit-ready kit, anywhere in the UK. Call us on 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk, or request a quote online.
Tags: stainless steel glass balustrade, glass balustrade with handrail, stainless handrail steps, external glass balustrade, entrance steps balustrade, System 1 balustrade, toughened glass balustrade, glass balustrade Sheffield, terrace balustrade, Dio-Met
