A black aluminium glass balustrade can give a balcony a modern and open look while complementing the building’s existing architecture. In this customer project, Forma – our glass balustrade with powder-coated aluminium posts and clear safety glass – was chosen for a balcony on a building with a yellow brick façade. The black posts harmonise with the window frames and the gutter, while the glass preserves the natural light and the view.
Why are black aluminium and clear glass a good fit for a balcony?
The combination of black aluminium and clear glass provides a distinct yet visually light frame for the balcony. The dark posts highlight the balustrade’s shape, while the glass surfaces allow the view to extend outward toward the surroundings without an opaque balustrade infill.
For the house in this project, black was chosen to complement the window frames and the gutter. It creates a contrast against the yellow brick façade that highlights the balcony’s lines, while the colour choice feels like a natural part of the building as a whole.
The balustrade follows the front of the balcony, creating a continuous boundary. The clear glass maintains a connection with the surroundings and allows daylight to pass through the balustrade, contributing to a sense of openness both on the balcony and inside the flat.
Which glass balustrade was used on the balcony?
The choice fell on Forma glass balustrade, a model that combines aluminium posts with glass panels. The balustrade’s material and design make it possible to create a distinct frame without the glass surfaces losing their open character.
In this project, the interplay between the balustrade and the house’s existing features was particularly important. Three elements contributed to the final result.
- Black aluminium posts
- Black powder-coated posts create a clear line against the yellow brick façade and work with the window frames and gutter.
- Clear safety glass
- The transparent glass surfaces preserve the view and allow daylight to pass through. This gives the balcony a more open feel than a solution with solid panels.
- Coherent design
- The balustrade follows the front of the balcony, creating a cohesive frame that echoes the colours and lines of the building's existing architecture.
Can a glass balustrade also serve as a windbreak on the balcony?
Yes, a glass balustrade can help reduce the wind on a balcony because the glass forms a continuous surface that slows the airflow. Unlike a balustrade with open balusters or slats, the glass can give a more sheltered feel close to the balustrade.
The amount of shelter provided depends on the balcony's location, the design of the balustrade, the height of the glass, and the direction of the wind. Wind can still pass over and around the balustrade, so the effect varies from balcony to balcony.
On this balcony, the transparency of clear glass is combined with the ability to provide some windbreak. This means that the balustrade can help create a more pleasant outdoor environment without blocking out the light or the view.
Should you choose clear or frosted glass for your balcony?
Clear glass is a good choice when you want to preserve the view and create as open a feeling as possible. Frosted glass is a better option when you want to reduce visibility and create a more private balcony, for example, if you’re close to neighbours or a street.
Both options can be used as balustrade infills, but they produce different visual results. The comparison below shows which characteristics may be important when choosing glass.
| Property | Clear glass | Frosted glass |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Provides a clear view through the glass. | Reduces visibility and makes details less clear. |
| Light transmission | Allows daylight to pass through without diffusing it in the same way as frosted glass. | Allows light to pass through and diffuses it. The amount of light depends on the type of glass. |
| Privacy Screens | Normally provides limited privacy. | Can reduce direct visibility and create a more private atmosphere. |
| Windbreaks | Can slow down the wind as it passes through the glass surface. | Can give the same wind shelter with the same design and position. |
| Visual impression | Transparent and discreet, with a clear connection to the surroundings. | A more prominent glass surface and a secluded feel. |
| Particularly well suited | When views, openness, and transparency are prioritised. | When screening from view and privacy are important parts of the balcony’s function. |
For the balcony in this customer project, clear glass was chosen to preserve the view and create an open look towards the brick façade. For other balconies, frosted glass may be a better option, depending on the need for privacy and the feel you want to create.
How can a glass balustrade make a small balcony feel bigger?
A glass balustrade can enhance the sense of space on a smaller balcony because the view isn’t blocked by a solid balustrade panel. When the view extends through the glass, the boundary often feels less prominent, even though the balcony’s actual floor area remains unchanged.
Forma has a pared-back look with aluminium posts that give the glass panels a clear but discreet frame. On the house with the yellow brick façade, the black posts help to reinforce the building’s existing lines, while the glass creates a visually lighter finish to the balcony.
What should you consider when choosing a glass balustrade for a brick façade?
A brick façade often features natural colour variations and a distinct texture. As a result, the balustrade’s colour, shape, and fixing play a significant role in how the balcony interacts with the rest of the building.
On a house with yellow brick, black aluminium posts can create a striking contrast. Other dark or neutral colours can also work, but it’s important to base your choice on the building’s existing colours and details rather than selecting the balustrade’s colour separately.
In addition to its appearance, fixing must be carefully planned. A brick façade does not automatically mean that the brick itself is a suitable surface for anchoring a balustrade. The mounting solution must be adapted to the balcony’s load-bearing structure, the condition of the surface, and how the balustrade will be used.
It is also important to ensure that the balustrade is positioned so that balcony doors and other openable features can be used as intended. Therefore, measurements and fixing need to be planned together before the balustrade is manufactured and installed.
How does Forma create a cohesive balcony design?
This customer project demonstrates how a glass balustrade can modernise a balcony without altering the building’s fundamental character. The combination of black powder-coated aluminium and clear glass creates an open and balanced look that harmonises with the yellow brick façade.
By having the balustrade’s posts match the colour of the window frames and gutter, the balcony becomes a natural part of the façade. The glass maintains a connection with the surroundings, while the dark details provide a clear frame for the structure. It is the interplay between materials, colour, and proportions that creates the overall effect.
