Stair balustrade expert Richard Burbidge has extended its pioneering FUSION^® Commercial indoor balustrade range with the launch of the new Glass Panel System, helping architects and specifiers achieve innovative design without excessive costs and lengthy lead times.

Ideal for hotels, bars and leisure applications, as well as housing developments and commercial offices, the new system is based on FUSION^®'s combination of round oak rails and newels with metal connectors in a brushed nickel finish. The system is now offered with a glass infill option, as an alternative to the traditional metal balusters, creating a highly contemporary look.

Available off-the-shelf, the new Glass Panel System is an affordable and readily available alternative to costly bespoke glass structures, allowing specifiers and architects to create aesthetically pleasing staircases without lengthy lead times and additional manufacturing costs. Plus, thanks to its intelligent design, the new system is also easy to install, saving time on site. Compliant with UK Building Regulations, the new FUSION^® Commercial Glass Panel System is strength tested to withhold loadings of 0.74kN/m, making it suitable for use on shared stairwells in residential and light commercial buildings.

David Richards, Commercial Market Manager for Richard Burbidge, comments: “We’ve launched the new glass panel option in response to customer demand for elegant glass balustrade systems that can add value to projects without the time and cost constraints associated with bespoke options. The new addition to the FUSION^® Commercial indoor range means it now offers the same depth and versatility as the outdoor range, allowing architects and specifiers to create more unusual and innovative staircase designs.”

All timber components are supplied pre-cut and pre-varnished, eliminating the need for time-consuming finishing, and the glass panels are also provided pre-cut and ready to use. The option to have glass panels cut to size will also be available for the first time, offering greater design flexibility for specifiers, with slightly extended lead times depending on individual project requirements. The system is suitable for stair pitches of between 33 and 42 degrees, and handrail heights of 900mm for staircases and 1,100mm for landings.