Glass
pool fencing
6
February 2009
The
"invisible" fence
Glass pool fencing comes in 4 main
categories, however, in theory, anything you can imagine, we can build for you.
Generally the only limiting factor in achieving the look you want is the cost.
(Of course).
Please bear in mind that what we design,
and the cost, is strongly influenced by the location, in particular, exposure
to the wind. Obviously on high ground, the wind loading will be higher than a
well protected area.
Type One
The most economical type is "Posts
and Rails" which provide all round support and therefore thinner safety
glass can be used.
This
example is powder coated aluminium with clear toughened safety glass supported
on all four sides.
As fences are a set height, as a
"rule of thumb" the price can be roughly estimated by the length
of the fence.
Cost is approx $600 a lineal metre for
something like the one above. Good quality stainless posts are a little more.
Generally this fence type uses 6mm
toughened, but longer spans may need a thicker glass, so we may use 6mm for most
of the job, but thicker glass where required.
Type two
"Posts Only" fence normally have
aluminium or stainless posts and thicker safety glass to eliminate the top and
bottom rails. Usually 8mm glass can be used, but subject to location.
We have seen these available with
"stainless posts" for less than $500 a metre and even less on the
Gold Coast where wind load is not a problem.
There is a reason why our price is around
the $800 a metre mark and you can read more about that in the "Getting a
quote" section further down the page.
The example shown is one where we found the posts were
already in position (and painted) from a previous fence the customer wanted to
keep, but are sufficient to show the method of attaching the glass to posts and
the effect of the posts on the aesthetics of the job.
Note
this type of fence can only be used where the ground level on either side of
the fence is less than a metre difference.
It
is not suitable for balconies or pool edges where there is a drop of more than
a metre.
Type Three. Mini-post style.
This
is the most popular of type, giving an almost unobstructed view and getting
close to "the invisible
fence" concept. The glass we use here is 12mm thick with highly polished
edges and bolted into heavy duty stainless spiggotts (mini-posts), structurally
grouted in the concrete slab.
Average cost is more than the post type at
about $1,300 a metre but gets away from the 'picket fence' look of normal
posts.
This
example is a "before and after" shot of this
(Note
the gate on the left and the latch in black just down from the inside top.)
This beautiful Mediterranean-style home in
This
one is situated in
Type Four.
The "Glass Only" fence is set into either a channel or
concreted directly into the slab. See photos below.
If using channel in either aluminium or
stainless steel, it is mechanically and chemically bonded to an existing
concrete slab.
The channel can also be fitted to a timber
deck.
The other method used is laying the glass
directly into the concrete slab before it is poured and filling the area around
it with a special quick-set, non shrink grout. Tiles are then laid up to the
glass. Generally the cost of this method
is similar to the mini-post type at around $1300, however if it is used in a
high wind load area the use of 15mm glass can increase the price significantly.
May 2008.
This
project was a combination of the "in concrete" method and the
mini-post method. Note the glass on the left follows a curved garden bed.
If you
take a look at the photo at the top of this page, which is from the same site
in
Gates
Note the self closing gate on the left of
the photo has a raised section for ground clearance. It is important that all
edges, including the bottom of the glass have a finely polished edge to
maximize the strength of the glass. Microscopic flaws in the edge of some
imported glass gates can lead to unfortunate events where the glass
spontaneously explodes leaving a major security risk and a big clean up in an
area where bare feet are the rule.
Another point to check is that the
stainless lock actually bolts through the glass, not just held on by friction.
When using quality all-glass gates the
closing mechanism should be buried in the concrete for a controlled closing
effect rather than using spring-loaded hinges.
This is a low cost version using an
aluminium gate with 6mm toughened glass where spring-loaded hinges are used to
minimize cost.
RESTRICTION
The latest Australian Code AS1288 2006
places some restrictions on glass-only fences and balustrades. Generally if the
floor or ground level difference either side of the glass is more than one
metre, we must fit some form of top rail. This is usually contrary to the plan
of having an uninterrupted view and we have developed low profile aluminium
rail to minimize the effect.
Getting
a quote.
There are materials available from importers
who will supply "stainless" posts and "approved glass" from
Our concerns include "indelible"
quality stamps that just rub off, edge work unfinished / missing and glass that
is not straight.
We are also concerned with
"stainless" posts and fittings including latches that only held on by
friction and not though-bolted onto the gate and adjoining panel, gates that
are rough cut with un-polished edges etc
It is possible to build a glass fence with
the imported materials for only a couple of hundreds dollars a metre and it is
also possible to buy them direct on the Internet.
We have been in business for more than 20
years and we do not want you to come back as a dissatisfied customer in a
couple of years to complain that the "stainless" posts are rusting or
the glass is bowed etc., so we only use Australian stainless and Australian
glass.
It is very much a situation of 'you get what you pay for' in glass pool
fences.
Site
visits
It is not practical to visit every site to do
quotes, so we ask you to tell us what type of glass fence interests you and the
approximate dimensions.
Often we receive site photos by email and
rough sketches by fax. Many people even bring their mud maps into the office so
we can look at photos or previous jobs and the glass suitable for your fence.
Even a good telephone conversation is enough to provide you with an accurate
quote.
The next step is to fax, email or post you a
quote. After you take care of the signing and deposit details, we visit you to
photograph the site, to work through any potential difficulties and make
suggestions on layout etc.
So long as the length and makeup of the fence
is reasonably close to what we quoted on, we do not increase the price or add
any "extras". (What you are quoted is what we deliver. We don't nit
pick over variations in the on-site measurements.)
Next, we toughen the glass panels in our
factory in Townsville to meet Australian Standards. This is what separates
Austing Glass from others, as we do not import cheap Asian glass of a quality
that may not meet the exacting Australian Standards.
You need a company that you can be fairly
certain will be around in years to come if there are any problems.
We have many loyal customers, some from 20
years ago, and this is your guarantee of working with people who care about
getting you the result you want.
About 2 weeks later we start the
installation. Generally this is done over 2 days and you can pay the balance of
the account when all is satisfactory.
Finally, we encourage you to get other
quotes, discuss with us any differences that arise.
Ask :-
Will the cheaper imported materials be OK for
this job? (If so, most fencing contractors will be able to quote you.)
Will the fence meet the wind-load laid down
in AS1288 and can I get a glazing certificate for the Council?
Do I want my glass fence installed by a
fencing contractor or a glass company?
We are happy to talk to you and provide
advice regardless.
Thanks
for paying us a visit.
Dan Austin Glass
More
details and photos to come.
In the
interim, if you want more, call us on 4725 4444 or email dan@austinglass.com.au