DIY glass balustrade

[Ian H]

We did a loft conversion with the new stairs over the existing so could either do the new to match the old or start again.

I liked Adam182’s stairs so asked him for some advice then had a go myself.

I decided to use some adjustable handrail brackets to save me cutting angles, they were £12 each, I got the hand and base rails from the same place:

http://www.jandjstairparts.com/product-p/thrc-unq-c.htm

I looked at a few brackets and decided on some square chrome ones from here:

https://www.parkersteel.co.uk/EngProduct/0960853/Model-21-Flat

Then the glass I decided on 10mm toughened, first price I got was £650 for 10 panels but I ended up paying £374 from a place called Diomet in Sheffield:

https://diometonline.co.uk/toughened-glass/clear-toughened-glass-panels/10mm-toughened-glass-panels

The old stairs were panelled:

So I hacked them out:

 

[Ian H]

Then I used MDF to fatten the old newels to match the new:

I used an old school steel and glue finder to measure for the glass, I did that 3 or 4 times to be sure:

Ordered it and collected it:

Moment of truth and my measuring was good

I first fixed the brackets with screws but after doing the first one I found they were no good so found some M8 inserts:

So I could bolt the brackets in:

Then the fitting was easy, I used a 20mm spacer all round and fitted each panel at a time:

The bottom brackets actually hold the glass on their own while I fitted the handrail:

 

[ktuludays]

Superb job, great attention to detail, well done

 

[Ian H]

Thanks

If I did it again I wouldn’t use the adjustabe connectors, i’m not too keen on the look of them. I would trust myself and cut the handrail to meet the newels.

 

[23vc]

Spot on, and I like the way you kept what was there as much as poss to avoid cost and waste rather than ripping the whole lot out and starting again.

 

[big-all]

well that worked fantastic
well done that man

 

[HERTS P&D]

Ian you're getting quite good at this DIY stuff.

Andy

 

[Ian H]

Thanks very much

I wouldn’t have the skills or confidence to pull the old newels out. Maybe next time

 

[foxhole]

Not a fan of glass , but then I don’t have to clean it . If I used glass would run led strip under handrail to illuminate it at night .Good job.

 

[Ian H]

Not a fan of glass , but then I don’t have to clean it . If I used glass would run led strip under handrail to illuminate it at night .Good job.

I did think of putting one under the edge of the base rail if I could find a switch small enough.

 

[foxhole]

I did think of putting one under the edge of the base rail if I could find a switch small enough.

I use a remote control switch on some on my led lighting .

 

[Ian H]

I use a remote control switch on some on my led lighting .

Did you shorten any? I’ve got a piece here that’s 4mtrs long and remote control but the stairs are only 2.6mtrs.

It’s USB on the power end so not sure how I would join that to the light power under the landing floor.

 

[foxhole]

Led strips normally have an option to trim , but usb , sounds very low spec.

 

[Ian H]

This is it, it was very cheap:

It would fit under the edge of the base rail if I put some fresh tape on it. It’s been in the kitchen for a couple of years.

 

[Ian H]