Glass Spigot Balustrade 1mtr Kit

Glass spigots are essentially mini structural clamps that grip your glass panel from below, eliminating the need for full-height posts. This kit uses precision-engineered spigots that bolt to your floor and clamp onto the bottom edge of each glass panel.

The clever bit is how they distribute the loads. Instead of posts taking all the stress, the spigots transfer loads directly through the glass and down into your floor structure. This gives you that clean, minimalist look while still meeting all the structural requirements.

Each spigot in this kit is designed to handle the lateral loads from people leaning against the glass, plus wind loads if you’re installing outside. The clamping mechanism grips the glass securely without creating stress points that could cause cracking.

It’s a much cleaner look than traditional posts, but the installation needs to be spot on because there’s less room for adjustment once everything’s in place.

This kit covers exactly 1 metre of balustrade and includes everything you need for that section – the glass spigots themselves, toughened safety glass panel, all fixing bolts and hardware, plus detailed installation instructions.

You get the choice of square or round spigot clamps depending on your style preference. The glass is 10mm toughened safety glass, pre-cut to 1050mm high by 1000mm wide, with polished edges for the best finish.

All the stainless steel components are marine-grade 316, so they’ll handle outdoor conditions without any corrosion issues. The fixing bolts are sized for typical concrete or timber installations.

What’s not included is any cutting or drilling – everything comes ready to install. You’ll need basic tools and the ability to drill accurate holes in your floor surface, but there’s no fabrication required on site.

This spigot system works on most solid surfaces – concrete, stone, timber decking, and steel structures. The key requirement is that your floor needs to be structurally sound and able to handle the loads.

For concrete installations, you’ll be drilling and using anchor bolts to secure each spigot base. Make sure your concrete is at least 100mm thick and in good condition – crumbly or weak concrete won’t hold the fixings properly.

Timber decking works well, but you need to hit the joists underneath, not just the deck boards. The spigots need solid timber to bolt into – typically 45mm minimum thickness in the joist.

Steel surfaces are actually the easiest because you can either weld the bases directly or use high-tensile bolts through pre-drilled holes. Just make sure the steel structure is designed to handle balustrade loads.

Yes, this system can be fitted with a top handrail if you need one for comfort or building regulation compliance. The handrail mounts to brackets that clamp onto the top edge of the glass panels.

Adding a handrail does change the loads on the spigots because you’re introducing additional forces at the top of the glass. Make sure your spigot spacing and fixings are adequate for the extra stresses.

Handrails are often required for commercial installations or anywhere building control specifies them. They’re also worth considering if you’ve got elderly users or children who might need the extra security.

The handrail brackets are available separately and designed to work with this spigot system. They maintain the clean aesthetic while providing the practical benefits of a top rail.

You’ll need a decent drill with masonry bits for concrete or wood bits for timber installations. A hammer drill makes concrete work much easier. Spirit level is essential for getting everything plumb and level.

Measuring tools are crucial – tape measure, pencil, and ideally a laser level if you’re doing multiple panels. The positioning needs to be accurate because there’s limited adjustment once the spigots are fixed.

For handling the glass safely, you’ll want suction cup lifters or at least a helper with good grip. The glass isn’t massively heavy, but it’s awkward and expensive to replace if dropped.

Basic hand tools for the assembly – spanners, screwdrivers, and safety equipment like gloves and eye protection. If you’re working on concrete, a vacuum cleaner helps clear drilling debris.

The main advantage is the visual impact – spigots give you much cleaner sightlines because there are no vertical posts interrupting the view. You get that modern, minimalist appearance that’s very popular in contemporary architecture.

Installation can be simpler in some ways because you’re not setting multiple posts to exact heights and alignments. Each spigot fixes independently, so small variations in floor level are easier to accommodate.

The downside is less flexibility with glass sizing. Post systems can handle various panel widths easily, but spigots work best with standardized panel sizes. Replacement can also be trickier if you damage a glass panel.

Cost-wise, they’re usually similar to good quality post systems. The spigots themselves are precision components, but you save on the posts and some of the structural work.

Very little, which is one of the big advantages. The stainless steel components are virtually maintenance-free – just an occasional wipe down to remove any salt deposits if you’re near the coast.

Check the spigot clamps annually to make sure they’re still tight on the glass. Thermal expansion and contraction can sometimes cause slight loosening, though it’s rare with quality installations.

The glass itself just needs regular cleaning with standard glass cleaner. Because there are no posts to work around, cleaning is actually easier than with traditional systems.

Keep an eye on the floor fixings, especially if you’re on timber decking that might move seasonally. Any signs of loosening should be addressed promptly, but it’s not common with properly installed systems.