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Hollaender
Structural glass railing in a commercial atrium
Product FamilyStructural Glass

Structural Glass
Railing Systems

Point-fixed and base-shoe glass railing systems that eliminate visible structure — delivering the ultimate transparent barrier for premium commercial, hospitality, and institutional environments.

½"–¾"
Glass options
NFPA
Code compliant
100%
Made in the USA
Available Systems

Three Glass Systems, One Standard

Each system below uses glass as its primary infill, engineered to disappear architecturally while meeting all structural and code requirements. Select the approach that best suits your mounting condition and aesthetic goal.

Structural Glass Railing
Most Specified

Base-shoe mounted. No visible posts.

Structural Glass Railing

An extruded aluminum shoe encased in stainless steel or aluminum cladding holds glass panels at floor level — no posts, no interruptions. Cladding, top cap, and assist rail are available in stainless, aluminum, or wood. Glass can be monolithic or laminated, clear or tinted, ½" to ¾" thick.

Infill

Glass
Button Glass Railing

Point-fixed. Side-mounted to stringer.

Button Glass Railing

Glass panels are point-mounted directly to the stringer with discrete stainless steel button fittings — giving the impression of a glass wall with no visible frame. Glass is ¾" monolithic or 13/16" laminated (PVB or SGP). Stainless assist rail and a variety of top cap options are available.

Infill

Glass
Smoke Baffles

NFPA & IBC compliant. Ceiling-mounted.

Smoke Baffles

Vertically suspended glass panels that channel smoke toward sprinkler heads in open-plenum environments. Can be mounted directly to the ceiling or concealed behind it. Cladding can be selected to match the surrounding architectural aesthetic. Engineered to meet NFPA 13 and IBC 2012/712.1.3.1.

Infill

Glass
System Properties

Glass as Architecture

Aluminum Shoe — Stainless Steel or Aluminum Cladding

The structural glass base shoe is extruded aluminum for strength and weight, then clad in stainless steel or finished aluminum — delivering the aesthetic of a full-metal system with the advantages of an aluminum core.

Monolithic & Laminated Glass

Standard structural glass railing uses ½" tempered monolithic glass. For higher-risk applications or stair rails, 13/16" SGP or PVB laminated panels retain their structure after breakage — meeting the most demanding code requirements.

Top Cap, Rail & Assist Rail Flexibility

Top caps and assist rails are available in round and U-channel profiles in stainless, aluminum, and wood. This flexibility allows the system to serve both code-required handrail functions and premium architectural design goals.

Point-Fixed Button System

The Button Glass Railing system side-mounts to a structural stringer with discrete stainless fittings spaced 7 inches apart vertically. The glass extends 48–52 inches above the buttons — eliminating any visible top-rail requirement.

Smoke Baffle Fire Protection

Smoke baffles are engineered to the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 13 standard and IBC 2012/712.1.3.1. They can be surface-mounted or concealed in the ceiling with cladding matched to the room's aesthetic.

Bird-Friendly & Decorative Glass

Fritted, patterned, and decorative glass options are available for all systems — including bird-strike prevention glazing and decorative laminated panels for hospitality and institutional environments.

Quick Specs

System TypesBase Shoe, Button-Fixed, Smoke Baffle
Cladding OptionsStainless Steel or Aluminum (anodized / powder coat)
Glass Thickness½" to ¾" monolithic, 13/16" laminated (PVB or SGP)
Glass TypesTempered, Laminated, Low-Iron, Fritted, Bird-Friendly
Top Rail OptionsStainless, Aluminum (round or U-channel), Wood
ComplianceIBC, ADA, NFPA 13 (smoke baffles)

Prefer a post-and-rail system?

If your project requires a more traditional post-and-rail profile with glass infill, our VUE™, KLEAR™, and VISION™ systems deliver an architectural result at a lower installed cost.

Explore VUE™ Explore KLEAR™

More Work

Structural Glass Projects

View All
Vega Americas
Mason, OH

Vega Americas

A structural glass railing system brings modern transparency to the VEGA Americas facility in Mason, Ohio. Satin-polished stainless-steel cladding and a U-channel top cap provide a refined, durable finish that complements the building’s contemporary design.

Systems Used:

Structural Glass
Details →
Pulliam Square
Indianapolis, IN

Pulliam Square

Structural glass railing brings openness and contemporary style to Pulliam Square in Indianapolis. Satin-polished 304 stainless-steel cladding and a U-channel top cap provide a refined, durable finish that complements the development’s modern architecture.

Systems Used:

Structural Glass
Details →
North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN

North Meridian Street

Structural glass railing brings openness and polished modern style to the North Meridian Street project. Half-inch monolithic glass, stainless-steel cladding, and a 2½-inch top cap create a durable, visually cohesive solution.

Systems Used:

Structural Glass
Details →
Lawrenceburg High School
Lawrenceburg, IN

Lawrenceburg High School

Structural glass railing creates a safe, open environment at Lawrenceburg High School. Half-inch monolithic glass, anodized aluminum cladding, and a coordinating top cap deliver a durable, contemporary solution for the educational facility.

Systems Used:

Structural Glass
Details →
Fifth Third Bank
Cincinnati, OH

Fifth Third Bank

Structural glass railing brings openness and polished contemporary style to Fifth Third Bank. Glass infill and #4 directional satin stainless-steel handrails create a durable, refined solution for the Cincinnati facility.

Systems Used:

Structural GlassPost & Wall Mounted Assist Rail
Details →
Ball State University - North Dining Hall
Muncie, IN

Ball State University - North Dining Hall

Structural glass railing brings openness and contemporary style to Ball State University’s North Dining Hall. Directionally polished 304 stainless steel and a warm wood assist rail create a refined, welcoming solution for the active campus environment.

Systems Used:

Structural Glass
Details →
Resources

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

Structural Glass Railing — Product Data
Product DataPDF
PanelGrip 2® Dry-Glaze System — Product Data
Product DataPDF
Structural Glass Railing — Three-Part Specification
Three-Part SpecificationsDOCX
Structural Glass Railing — Typical Drawing
Drawing DetailsPDF
Structural Glass, Channel Mounted with Round Top Cap — Typical Drawing
Drawing DetailsPDF
Structural Glass, Concrete Mount with Top Cap and Assist Rail — Typical Drawing
Drawing DetailsPDF
Structural Glass, Stringer Mounted with Top Cap and Assist Rail — Typical Drawing
Drawing DetailsPDF
Bird-Friendly Glass Building Design
Product DataPDF
View all documents in the full library
Gallery

Project Photos

Ball State University — Structural Glass Stair, Wide ViewBall State University — Structural Glass Stair, Close DetailBall State University — Starbucks Floor with Structural Glass Stair in BackgroundBall State University — Structural Glass Stair, Alternate Wide ViewBall State University — Structural Glass Stair, Upward ViewBall State University — Structural Glass Stair, Stair Tread DetailAC Hotel Indianapolis — Structural Glass Stair with Marble TreadsAC Hotel Indianapolis — Structural Glass Stair & Balcony GuardAC Hotel Indianapolis — Lobby Structural Glass Guardrail at MezzanineAC Hotel Indianapolis — Structural Glass Balcony Guard at Bar LevelAC Hotel Indianapolis — Structural Glass Stair & Balcony, Composite ViewDelaware North HQ — Structural Glass Grand Stair, Full ViewDelaware North HQ — Structural Glass Stair at Upper Landing, City Skyline ViewBroad Creek Library — Structural Glass with Padauk Wood Top Cap, Corner DetailCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass Stair & Bleacher Guardrail, Wide ViewCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass at Scoring Platform GuardrailCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Full Natatorium Overview from Pool DeckCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass at Exterior Stair, Bleacher EntryCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Wide Natatorium View from Upper BleachersCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass Stair to Pool Deck, Overhead ViewCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass at Bleacher Mid-Level LandingCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass at Upper Stair, Looking Down to PoolCenter Grove HS Natatorium — Structural Glass Stair Close Detail with Red RailBroad Creek Library — Structural Glass Stair, Wide Entry ViewBroad Creek Library — Structural Glass Stair, Full Side View with Children's LibraryBroad Creek Library — Structural Glass Mezzanine Guardrail, Lounge LevelBroad Creek Library — Structural Glass Multi-Level Stair, Looking UpLawrenceburg HS — Structural Glass Mezzanine Guardrail, Gymnasium OverviewLawrenceburg HS — Structural Glass Mezzanine Guardrail, Looking Down to Gym FloorOwensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace Guardrail, Ohio River ViewOwensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace Guardrail, Night ViewOwensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace, Interior Event SetupIU Memorial Stadium — Structural Glass Field-Level Guardrail, Section 34Owensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace, Daytime River ViewOwensboro Convention Center — Exterior Night PanoramaOwensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace & Stair, Ohio River ViewOwensboro Convention Center — Structural Glass Terrace, Portrait River & Bridge ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Atrium Guardrail, Upper Level OverviewTrine University Health Professions Building �� Structural Glass Atrium, Multi-Level Stair ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass at Dual Stair Run, Looking DownTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Atrium Guardrail with Students BelowTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Curved Landing Guardrail, DetailTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Wood Top Cap Hardware Close-UpTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass at Stair Top Landing with Upper MezzanineTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Stair with DNA MuralTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Full Lobby Stair, Wide ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Curved Atrium Guardrail, Ground FloorTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Mezzanine Guardrail, Portrait Multi-Level ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Main Stair, Symmetrical Full ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Stair & Cell Mural, Ground Floor Diagonal ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Atrium Overview, Wide Lobby ShotTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Atrium Corridor, LED Ceiling ViewTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Stair, Looking Up from BottomTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Upper Mezzanine, Looking Down to Stair WellTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Stair Landing, Upper Mezzanine LevelTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass at Straight Stair Run with Cell MuralTrine University Health Professions Building — Structural Glass Multi-Level Stair with X-Cross RunsVEGA Corp Office — Structural Glass Rooftop Terrace Guardrail with CornholeZotec Partners — Structural Glass Crossing Grand Stair, Wide ViewFirst Internet Bank — Structural Glass Rooftop Terrace GuardrailBombardier Office — Structural Glass Mezzanine Stair LandingModern Open-Riser Stair — Structural Glass with Black Steel StringerKohler Art Preserve (JMKAC) — Structural Glass Museum StairwellMason Business Center IV — Structural Glass Floating Stair Under Skylight

Ready to Specify Structural Glass?

Our team provides full support from glass selection and system configuration through structural engineering review and installation documentation.

Hollaender

Leading manufacturer of architectural railing systems since 1946

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