Guardrails and glass guardrails play a vital role in contemporary architecture; they combine safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. These systems are essential to protect high-altitude spaces such as balconies, terraces, and stairs, and use materials such as tempered laminated glass, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and innovative fastening systems.

This not only achieves transparency and barrier-free vision, but also does not sacrifice safety. They also offer customizable options, including roof covers, handrails, and integrated lighting, allowing architects to create spaces that are both practical and beautiful, unique and eye-catching.

In essence, the guardrail system is a well-designed collection of components, each of which plays a vital role in ensuring safety and aesthetics. In addition to pursuing visual impact, these systems must also be highly reliable and safe to perform their basic functions. The core of the system is the guardrail components, which provide support and guidance, while being equipped with filling options including glass plates, rods/tubes, or cables to balance safety and style.

The guardrail base is a kind of guardrail system that anchors the glass-filled plate to the structure to ensure durability and accuracy. The optional armrests can be installed on the column or directly on the glass, while the top crossbar protects the alignment of the top edge of the glass and the auxiliary glass, adding a touch of aesthetics.

Q-light

These solutions stand out for their minimalist design and can be harmoniously integrated into various built environments. In addition to basic structural elements, integrated lighting systems like Q-light and decorative surface treatments add practicality and aesthetic value to diverse architectural projects.

For example, in the Waterfront Plaza project, eye-catching geometric shapes are combined with wood, steel, and glass to achieve a balance of safety, modernity, and transparency. Similarly, the South China Sea Private residential project shows how the system seamlessly integrates architecture and landscape to provide an immersive experience that allows people to enjoy panoramic coastal scenery while resisting severe weather conditions. The following solutions demonstrate Q-railing’s commitment to innovation, functionality, and high standards of design.

Easy Glass Slim

Easy Glass Slim is very suitable for commercial and large-scale projects, such as corporate buildings, hotels, multi-storey residential buildings, and high-rise buildings that require higher strength and durability. The system supports laminated glass with a thickness of up to 17.52 mm (11/16 inch), can withstand design pressures of up to 62 lbs/square foot, and is suitable for outdoor guardrail systems with a height of 42 inches.

Therefore, it is very suitable for residential or light commercial environments, such as indoor stairs and balconies with architectural curves. The system also uses a dry wedge-shaped fixing system to facilitate easy access to the glass at any time for adjustment during installation and replacement of the glass as part of long-term maintenance.

Easy Glass Smart

Easy Glass Smart is an economical solution for residential and light commercial projects, taking into account practicality, safety, and aesthetics. It supports laminated glass with a thickness of up to 17.52 mm (11/16 inch), while withstanding design pressures of up to 88 lbs/square foot for top-mounted applications and up to 42 inches for panel-mounted guardrail systems up to 118 lbs/square foot.

The system is very suitable for indoor guardrails, stairs, and balconies in low- to middle-rise buildings under moderate wind conditions. Its compact anodized aluminum base shoes can be installed on concrete, steel, or wooden substrates. The system is equipped with a Q-disc to ensure that the glass can be placed and aligned quickly and accurately during the installation process.

Easy Glass Prime

Easy Glass Prime is ideal for medium-sized commercial projects, such as corporate buildings, hotels, multi-storey residential buildings, and high-rise buildings that require higher strength and durability. The system supports glass plates with a thickness of up to 25.52 mm (1 inch) and can withstand design pressures of up to 200 lbs/square foot, making it particularly suitable for outdoor areas exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Easy Glass Prime is certified to withstand wind and rain and meets international performance and safety standards.

Easy Glass Strong

The Easy Glass Strong pedestal system is designed to withstand high wind loads, is suitable for coastal areas, and can accommodate glass panels up to 33 mm (1 5/16 inch) thick. Its frameless design ensures an unobstructed field of view and adopts the same intelligent Q-disc glass clamping system as Smart & Prime, which can achieve precise glass alignment during installation. Easy Glass Strong is also designed to withstand design pressures of more than 200 pounds per square foot (PSF), suitable for a 42-inch high guardrail, and can be used for windshield screens above 8 feet, so it is very suitable for various application scenarios.

The Easy Glass pedestal system is designed to meet safety and performance standards, including the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) (2021, 2018, and 2015 editions), as well as stricter regional codes such as the Florida Building Code and the Los Angeles Building Code. The panels used in the glass guardrail have been tested and comply with ASTM C1172 and ANSI Z97.1 standards to ensure impact resistance and durability.

The Slim, Smart, Prim, and Strong base shoe systems have been tested and certified by the International Regulatory Commission and have obtained the ICC-ES evaluation report (ESR-4688). Easy Glass Prime and Strong have also obtained NOA (Notice of Acceptance) certification from Miami-Dade County (Miami-Dade), verifying that they are suitable for areas that are extremely vulnerable to extreme winds (such as hurricane areas).

In large-scale commercial environments such as corporate buildings, hotels, and high-rise apartments, structural elements must meet strict safety regulations and support the logistical demands of construction and ongoing facility management. For example, during installation or maintenance of heavy glass panels or railing components, especially with systems like Easy Glass Prime or Easy Glass Strong, the use of overhead lifting equipment becomes essential.

A 3 ton overhead crane offers the capacity and stability required to accurately maneuver large laminated glass panels or structural base shoes into position, reducing manual labor and enhancing on-site safety. This integration of lifting solutions streamlines the installation of high-performance railing systems while minimizing the risk of glass damage or alignment issues. Metal parts such as base shoes and fasteners are made of anodized aluminum and stainless steel.

These materials are known for their corrosion resistance and maintain good performance even in coastal environments with high salinity. The installation process follows specific technical guidelines and considers factors such as lateral impact and wind resistance.

By following these certifications and prioritizing durable materials, the Easy Glass system not only ensures functionality and safety but also achieves a harmonious integration with architectural design, even under challenging environmental conditions. These systems go beyond their practical functions and become an indispensable part of architectural design.

Whether it is a residential project or a large-scale commercial project, these products provide a solution that combines safety, durability, and aesthetics. The outstanding models demonstrate the flexibility and innovation of the series, enabling architects to comply with the highest safety standards while creating spaces that are both practical and visually impactful.