Glass installation in stairs

Lee Nowell

unread,

Jan 3, 2012, 11:55:46 AM1/3/12

to

Hi all,

We are having a new oak stairs with a sheet of glass instead of
spindles. The glass is 10mm toughened and is rebated into the handrail
and baserail.

The stair manufacturer suggested we put a bead of mastic in each
groove before putting the glass in. I have dry fitted the glass
temporarily to check levels and sizes and it seems to fit snugly into
the grooves with no wobble. Looking at it, I am concerned about using
mastic because
- it would be very messy and I am afraid it will ruin the oak
- as you look at the glass in the groove from one side, you will see
the mastic for the other side. Unless it is a perfect bead it would
look rubbish.

I called a local glass supplier to see if they did anything else
rather than mastic. He said that since it is indoors and fits well in
the wood, it is fine to fit it dry and I don't need anything.

Ringing Pilkingtons to check which was right didn't help either as
they said they can't recommend how to install their glass.

To be honest fitting it dry would work perfectly for me but was
wondering if anyone here has done this or any experience on any
downsides etc. Any help gratefully received.

Wishing you all a happy new year.

Thanks

Lee.

Andrew May

unread,

Jan 3, 2012, 12:10:27 PM1/3/12

to

On 03/01/2012 16:55, Lee Nowell wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We are having a new oak stairs with a sheet of glass instead of
> spindles. The glass is 10mm toughened and is rebated into the handrail
> and baserail.
>
> The stair manufacturer suggested we put a bead of mastic in each
> groove before putting the glass in. I have dry fitted the glass
> temporarily to check levels and sizes and it seems to fit snugly into
> the grooves with no wobble. Looking at it, I am concerned about using
> mastic because
> - it would be very messy and I am afraid it will ruin the oak
> - as you look at the glass in the groove from one side, you will see
> the mastic for the other side. Unless it is a perfect bead it would
> look rubbish.

My installation is similar expect in walnut rather than oak. I put a
bead of silicone either side of the slot before sliding the glass in and
you can't see it through the glass. It would probably be fine without as
the glass (10mm like yours) is heavy enough not to move easily but I
wanted something that would prevent dust and moisture from cleaning the
glass getting in as I thought that if anything that would look worse.
Been in four or five years and still looks good.

Andrew

ss

unread,

Jan 3, 2012, 3:58:31 PM1/3/12

to

Possibly over a few years you could get some shrinkage in the wood and
the glass then does not fit as snugly and may rattle as you go up or
downstairs.

robgraham

unread,

Jan 3, 2012, 4:33:22 PM1/3/12

to

That would be my concern, plus how are you going to be sure that the
tolerances on the whole staircase and the whole batch of glass is
going to be so tight that every piece is going to fit as well as the
one you've tried.

Rob

NT

unread,

Jan 3, 2012, 7:23:58 PM1/3/12

to

If it fits fine dry, you can do that. But it would be better to put a
minimal premoulded rubber strip in there to avoid the possibility of
vibration and consequent noise later.

NT

harry

unread,

Jan 4, 2012, 3:31:31 AM1/4/12

to

Put tape on the timber to keep the mastic off of it before you start.
Remove when the silicon has gone off and trim with Stanley knofe.

You can get clear silicon mastic.

Dave Liquorice

unread,

Jan 4, 2012, 4:22:24 AM1/4/12

to

On Tue, 3 Jan 2012 16:23:58 -0800 (PST), NT wrote:

>> That would be my concern, plus how are you going to be sure that
the
>> tolerances on the whole staircase and the whole batch of glass is
>> going to be so tight that every piece is going to fit as well as
the
>> one you've tried.

Not to mention that it fits well now with the CH on, the air dry and
thus the timber dry. But what about summer with CH off air damper and
thus the timber... Snug dry fit, timber and large bits of expensive
glass makes me uneasy.

> If it fits fine dry, you can do that. But it would be better to put a
> minimal premoulded rubber strip in there to avoid the possibility of
> vibration and consequent noise later.

And take up the movement of the timber due to seasonal changes in
humidty. Not to mention that mastic/silicone is semi permenant and
would make removing the glass for any reason "difficult". Might need
the timber to be cut away or other damage...

--
Cheers
Dave.