In one of Stockholm’s most urban locations on Malmskillnadsgatan, Balustrade Store had the honor of delivering a comprehensive railing solution. The project called for a modern design that could match the city’s energy while providing a safe and stylish frame for the rooftop terrace. The choice fell on our post-free glass railing, which is now known as Vista.
Project Information:
- Length: 68 meters of post-free glass railing.
- Model: Vista (post-free system for maximum transparency).
- Special features: Blue-painted crossbars and aluminum rails.
- Function: Creates an unobstructed view and a modern look at a prime location.
Vista – The post-free glass railing for urban environments
Our post-free Vista glass railing is our most exclusive model, designed to highlight the transparency of the glass. By eliminating posts, the railing creates a sense of presence without taking up space—a highly valued feature in architectural projects in urban environments. On Malmskillnadsgatan, Vista creates an almost invisible barrier that lets the city skyline take center stage.
To give the railing a unique look in this project, blue-painted aluminum rails and crossbars were chosen. This demonstrates the wide range of design options available with the Vista series. By using our custom color service (Alu Color), technical components such as rails and crossbars can be painted in any RAL color to match the building’s other design elements or brand identity.
Installation with an aluminum rail for high stability
In the project on Malmskillnadsgatan, an aluminum rail was used to secure the glass. This is one of the three primary installation methods for a post-free glass railing like Vista, and it is often the method best suited for longer, continuous sections such as these 68 meters.
The rail provides an extremely stable mounting and a clean, linear look along the entire edge of the floor. Depending on the project’s specific conditions, the rail can be installed in two ways:
- Surface mounting: The track is placed directly on the floor surface (as was done in this case).
- Side mounting: The rail is attached to the outside of the joist system to save floor space.
Choosing an aluminum railing is also a smart choice for an outdoor railing in an urban setting. Aluminum is naturally rust-resistant and requires minimal maintenance, even when exposed to air pollution and changing weather conditions.
Safety and Glass Construction
When installing a railing at a great height in a public or commercial setting, safety is the single most important factor. For the project on Malmskillnadsgatan, heavy-duty safety glass was used that is designed to withstand high wind loads and human pressure.
Our post-free systems always use tempered laminated glass. Tempering makes the glass several times stronger than regular glass, while the lamination (a tough plastic film between two panes of glass) ensures that the railing section remains intact even if, against all odds, the glass were to shatter. This is a requirement to ensure that there is no risk of falling.
Technical Requirements and Handrail Height
As with all our commercial projects, we comply with applicable building codes (BBR). For the project on Malmskillnadsgatan, we have taken into account the requirements for railing height. For fall heights exceeding three meters, a railing height of at least 1,100 mm is required for the area to be classified as safe.
By adding a top rail—which, in this case, was painted blue—the railing not only gains an aesthetic profile but also provides additional stability along the top edge of the glass. The top rail serves as a handrail and protects the edges of the glass, thereby extending the railing’s lifespan in a high-traffic environment.
Whether you're planning to build a railing for a private rooftop terrace or managing a large-scale real estate project, Vista (postless) offers the flexibility and safety needed for a successful outcome.
