Glass balustrades in Amsterdam

Why glass works well in Amsterdam

Outdoor space in Amsterdam tends to be small. A solid or busy railing makes a balcony feel even smaller, while glass lets light and view straight through to the room behind. That is why so many apartment owners on the waterfront, from IJburg to the Houthavens and the banks of Noord, ask for glass.

Glass is also a good choice indoors, around a mezzanine or the open side of a staircase in a loft, where you want safety without closing the space off. The trade-off is cleaning: glass shows dirt sooner than steel. If that bothers you, a steel balcony railing may suit you better.

Posts

Powder-coated steel or stainless steel

Systems

G01 to G10

Height

Minimum 100 cm

Lead time

6 to 8 weeks (summer 8 to 10)

Our glass balustrade systems

The way the glass is held defines both the look and what is technically possible:

• G01: glass between steel posts, robust and easy to match with steel window frames;
• G02: brushed stainless steel with glass clamps, a familiar choice for apartments;
• G03: stainless steel with a floor channel, so no posts in view;
• G04: steel with flat strip posts, carrying the line of a strip railing into glass;
• G05: stainless steel posts;
• G07: a further variant we are happy to explain;
• G10: slim steel posts for the least metal possible.

Steel is powder coated in any RAL colour. Stainless steel keeps its natural finish and needs no coating.

Wind and height on the water

Wind cannot pass through glass the way it passes between bars, so a glass balustrade takes more load. You feel the difference on a high balcony facing the IJ or a roof terrace in Buiksloterham. We therefore pay extra attention to post spacing and fixings when glass is involved, a topic covered in our article on wind along the IJ.

Height is the same as for our other balustrades: at least 100 cm, rising to 120 cm where the drop is 13 metres or more. We do not go lower. For listed buildings or the protected historic centre, check any requirements with the City of Amsterdam, and remember your VvE (homeowners’ association) may need to agree too.

What it fixes to

Glass is heavy, so the structure underneath matters. On new-build concrete, posts with base plates or a floor channel work well, and on a concrete balcony slab the balustrade can be face fixed to the edge so you lose no floor space.

Roof terraces on older buildings are a different story. The deck may sit on timber joists or a parapet that is not built for the weight. In those cases glass is not always the wise choice, or the fixing needs a different approach. That is why we measure on site before installing and look at what is under the finish first.

Getting the glass up there

Large glass panels are heavy and fragile, and Amsterdam staircases are famously steep and narrow. Before production we work out how each panel will reach its place: up the stairs, hoisted from outside, or resized so it fits through the door. A smaller panel can mean one extra post, but it also means the job can actually be done.

Our own drivers and fitters handle transport and installation, so nobody else touches the glass on the way. If you prefer to install yourself, we deliver free of charge with no minimum order.

Price, lead time and quotation

The price depends on total length, number of panels, the system (steel or stainless, posts, clamps or floor channel), finish, fixing method and access. With glass, access often weighs more heavily than with steel railings.

Send rough measurements and photos for a free indicative quotation, normally within one or two working days. If we install, we come to measure up and send a final quotation with production drawing. Lead time is 6 to 8 weeks, or 8 to 10 weeks from July to September.

All systems are listed under glass balustrades at Hekwerkwebshop.nl. When you are ready, request a quote for your glass balustrade. We also work outside the city, for example in Almere.

Frequently asked questions