Height-adjustable glass combines a fixed glass section with a movable glass section that you raise when you want more shelter and lower when you want a clearer view. It’s ideal for decking, terraces, and patios where wind conditions vary throughout the day or season. You decide when you need shelter.
You get flexible height adjustment depending on the weather, more shelter without a permanently high glass section, and an unobstructed view through the glass. Depending on the model, gas springs assist with raising and lowering the screen. Position the screen where the wind most often blows in. Since the glass surface area increases when the screen is raised, the posts, mountings, and base must be designed to withstand the wind load.
The most common options are clear glass, opal glass, and tinted glass, and for certain applications, ultra-clear and coloured glass are also available. The choice depends on how much of a view, light, and privacy you want, as well as the look you’re going for. Clear glass provides the best view and the most light, while ultra-clear glass has a less green tint for an extra-clear look.
Opal glass lets daylight through but hides detail, and tinted glass, such as grey, gives a darker look and slightly more privacy. The same glass types are available for windbreaks. You can combine glass types in the same project, for example clear glass facing the view and opal glass facing the neighbours.
The glass in balustrades is designed to withstand normal temperature fluctuations between summer heat, cold, and frost. It may also flex slightly when subjected to wind, but this is not a sign of a problem. The extent to which the glass is affected depends on the type of glass, its size, how it is mounted, and the edge treatment. The glass is designed for outdoor use.
Large and rapid temperature changes place a greater strain on the glass than gradual changes – for example, when part of the glass is heated by the sun while the rest remains cold. Some movement in larger glass panels is normal in windy conditions and depends on the size, thickness, and mounting. Frost will not cause a correctly specified glass balustrade to crack – the key is that the glass, hardware, and mounting are suitable for the location.
No. Privacy screens and windbreaks serve different purposes, although one product can sometimes do both. A privacy screen reduces views into a space, while a windbreak provides shelter by reducing the wind reaching a deck, balcony or patio. The right choice depends on which issue matters most to you.
Position a privacy screen where people can see into your space and choose screening that provides sufficient privacy, such as frosted glass or closely spaced slats. A windbreak should be designed for the prevailing wind direction and height, with fixings suitable for the wind loads. Frosted or tinted glass can provide both shelter and privacy, while clear glass offers shelter without obstructing the view. Start with the problem you most want to solve.
A windbreak works best when its height, length and position are planned around the prevailing wind and where you sit. It is often more effective to screen the most exposed side than to enclose an entire deck or balcony. Visit the space on a windy day to see where shelter is needed most.
A windbreak should provide shelter where you sit, but taller is not always better. An L-shaped screen can reduce side winds that would otherwise come around the corner. Glass creates shelter without blocking natural light and can work even on small balconies. Larger, taller glass panels are exposed to greater wind forces, so the glass, posts, fixings and supporting structure must be considered together.
This depends on the height, design and position of the screen, as well as local requirements. A tall, solid screen may be treated differently from an open balustrade, while adding a screen to a balcony may change a building’s appearance. Check with the relevant local authority and, where applicable, the property owner before ordering.
A low, transparent screen may be assessed differently from a tall, solid one, and its position near a property boundary or a road can also matter. On balconies in blocks of flats, taller panels or replacing clear glass with frosted glass may affect the building's appearance. If your property is subject to leasehold or building-management restrictions, check what changes are permitted. A tall screen is also exposed to greater wind forces and must be designed accordingly.
A glass windbreak is stable when the glass, posts, hardware, and mounting are designed to withstand the wind loads at that location. It is the entire structure that determines stability, not just the thickness of the glass. Thicker glass will not solve the problem if the rest of the structure is too weak.
A tall windbreak on an open balcony or terrace is subjected to greater forces than a shorter windbreak in a sheltered location. The mounting must therefore be anchored to a load-bearing structure, since decking, pavers, and other surface layers are not always sufficient. If the windbreak moves or vibrates noticeably in strong winds, check the mountings, posts, and hardware.
Windbreak prices depend mainly on length, height, glass type, posts and fixings. Two windbreaks of the same length may cost different amounts because of their height, specification and components. The configurator shows the price for your project. Glass choice can make a significant difference.
Corners and made-to-measure dimensions may require additional components, while the supporting structure determines the fixings needed. Choosing a fixed or height-adjustable windbreak also affects the final price. For a fair comparison, look at dimensions, glass type and construction – not just the cost per metre.
A glass windbreak can turn a breezy patio into an outdoor space you can enjoy more often. Glass reduces wind exposure while preserving daylight and views, and the same structure can also serve as a balustrade where suitably designed. We make every windbreak to measure at our factory in Ängelholm.
A full-height glass balustrade can provide effective shelter from wind while preserving the view. Solid screens may create turbulence directly behind them, so positioning matters, particularly on larger decks. On exposed balconies, full-height glazing can help reduce draughts and make the space more comfortable.
Higher balconies are often more exposed to the wind. A full-height glass balustrade provides shelter while allowing daylight through. Frosted or grey glass can also offer additional privacy.
For decks and patios, you can choose glass balustrades that provide shelter, including the aluminium system Forma in available RAL colours and the stainless steel Prime system. Stand on the deck on a windy day to identify the prevailing wind direction – this will help you decide where the windbreak should go and how high it needs to be. A freestanding screen set across the wind direction may work well when the wind comes from the side.
With Flex, you can adjust your wind protection to suit the weather. On calm days, it functions as a glass balustrade with an open view. When the wind picks up, raise the glass sections to create shelter.
A windbreak reduces airflow, and clear glass can provide shelter just as well as frosted glass. A privacy screen reduces visibility and therefore needs frosted, tinted or opaque material. If you want both functions, full-height opal or grey glass can combine shelter and privacy in one design.
A glass windbreak catches the wind much like a sail. Posts and fixings must therefore be designed for the wind loads and matched to the supporting structure and substrate. Depending on the product, we use laminated safety glass. The manufacturing process is certified to EN 1090-1. Production is regularly monitored by RISE, with a focus on traceability, quality and the manufacturing process.
The cost depends on the length, height, glass type and system. A fixed full-height glass balustrade is generally the lower-cost option, while the height-adjustable Flex system offers additional functionality. The configurator updates the price as you make your selections. Each order is supplied as a complete kit with installation instructions.
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