Do you supply lockable glass gates?

 

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.

Perfectly secluded patio: Royal Chrome Gate paired with Hybrid® Aerofoil Balustrade

What Are the Available Glass Gate Options?

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.

Beautiful garden divided into zones by Silver Glass Gate and Hybrid® Aerofoil Balustrade

 

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 complimentary gate, I hear you say? Well, in that instance, a standalone gate is installed. A standalone gate is installed as our Frameless Glass Balustrade do 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 allusion of one whole structure, even though the two systems aren’t attached or mechanically joined.

 

Gate Dimensions
Glass Width	921mm
Glass Height	1090mm
System Height	1125mm
Distance between post centres	1058mm

 

Diagram of Standalone Glass Gate and Posts

 

Posts

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 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.

 

Post Dimensions*
Primary Post	60x60mm
Secondary Post	66x75mm
Base Plate	150x150mm

 

*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.

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.

 

Colour 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!

Samples of the Silver Anodised and Royal Chrome finishes

 

Are Glass Gates Safe?

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. But thanks to their structural design, they are incredibly safe and can even be a safer choice for gates when compared to a wooden alternative.

Our glass has been designed for external use and is resilient against the elements. Each glass panel is robust and will remain unaffected by wet weather and wear. You’ll be pleased to know that unlike wood with its time consuming and laborious maintenance demands, your glass gate will not need regular upkeep – other than the occasional wipe down – therefore, you can feel reassured that your gate won’t lack safety due to missed maintenance.

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, greatly reducing the risk of accidents by preventing unsafe access to the water. 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, meaning you can rest easy.

Glass Gated entrance to a raised balcony 

 

Aside from its aesthetic, barely-there appeal, the glass gate has an additional function, it enhances pool safety. A chunky wooden gate would obstruct your view, but your vision is never obscured with a clear glass gate, and you always have a full view of the pool. So even if you’re stuck on BBQ duty, you can supervise the family from afar and chat away with peace of mind. In contrast, a chunky wooden or metal railing gate would obstruct your view and inhibit pool safety.  

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.

 

How Best to Maintain a Glass Gate?

Keeping your glass gate in showroom condition is a simple task and it doesn’t require tiring elbow grease.

Once every six months, you will need to check that each mechanism works fluidly. This includes checking that each gasket is tight against the glass panel and replacing any that are damaged or missing; these can loosen due to the gate’s swinging motion. It’s time to get out the WD-40 as hinges, locks, and all moving parts of your gate will need to be lubricated once every six months. 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.

A Royal Chrome Glass Gate glistening in the sun

 

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!

 

How to Install a Glass Gate?

Our Glass Gates have been designed to be straightforward to install, empowering customers with the choice to install themselves if they have a fair degree of DIY know-how.

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 step-by-step installation videos make fitting your privacy screen a far simpler task. 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. 

If this doesn’t sound like your thing, a trusted tradesperson or one of our Registered Partners would easily install one of our balustrades. We have a network of UK-based Registered Partners and will happily contact one of them to assist you in completing your project.

 

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.