A glass balcony is not a decorative add-on. It is a safety-critical structure that must be engineered correctly, installed precisely and approved against UK building regulations. When any part of that process is rushed, outsourced, or poorly coordinated, the risks quickly multiply. Structural failure, water ingress, Building Control delays, and costly redesigns are all common symptoms of the wrong approach.
This is exactly why 360 GSS has become the number one choice for glass balcony installers across London, the Home Counties, and beyond. Their reputation is built on delivering a comprehensive 360-degree service, taking responsibility for every stage of the project rather than treating the project as a collection of disconnected parts.
From initial survey and structural engineering through to compliance reporting, steel fabrication, glass supply, decking installation, and final fit-out, 360 GSS manages the entire system as one engineered solution.
Why Glass Balconies Demand Specialist Installers
Glass balconies sit at the intersection of architecture, structural engineering, and building regulation. Unlike many other building elements, they must perform structurally while maintaining a visually minimal appearance. They are expected to resist line loads, crowd loads, and impact, all while protecting people from falls and maintaining post-breakage safety.
Too often, balconies are pieced together by multiple suppliers. A builder measures the opening. A fabricator produces steel from a sketch. Glass is ordered separately. Fixings are selected late. Building Control only becomes involved when something does not look right.
This fragmented approach almost always leads to compromise. Glass thickness changes. Steelwork needs alteration. Fixings are questioned. Approvals stall.
360 GSS removes that risk by designing, engineering, and delivering the balcony as a single coordinated system from day one.
A True Full 360 Service, Not a Sales Phrase
What sets 360 GSS apart from other glass balcony installers is the depth of our service. Every element is controlled, documented, and aligned with compliance requirements.
Survey & feasibility at the start
A proper balcony project begins with a detailed survey. This goes far beyond basic measurements. Fixing zones, substrate conditions, waterproofing interfaces, load paths, and build-ups are all assessed early.
This stage prevents unrealistic designs, avoids last-minute structural changes, and ensures the proposed balcony can actually be approved and built.
Independent structural engineering built in
Glass balconies and balustrades must be supported by proper structural calculations. 360 GSS work alongside specialist glass structural engineers to produce independent calculations for every project.
These calculations address glass specification, fixings, steelwork, deflection control, and load transfer. They are prepared in a format suitable for Building Control review, removing uncertainty later in the project.
Engineering is not treated as an optional extra. It is part of the standard process.
Building compliance reports that stand up to scrutiny
Building regulations apply whether a balcony is large or small. Guarding, load resistance, and impact performance all fall under regulatory control.
360 GSS provides building compliance documentation as part of their service, ensuring projects align with Approved Document K and related structural requirements. This makes Building Control engagement smoother and reduces the likelihood of delays or redesigns.
Steel fabrication designed around the glass
A glass balcony is only as good as what it is fixed to. One of the most common failures in balcony projects occurs when steelwork and glass are designed separately.
360 GSS fabricates and installs steel subframes as part of the same scope. This ensures tolerances, fixing points, and load paths are coordinated with the glass from the outset, not retrofitted later.
Specialists in Non-Penetrative Glass Balcony Systems
One of the most valuable capabilities 360 GSS offers is our expertise in glass balconies supported by non-penetrative steel subframes.
These systems are especially important on flat roofs, terraces, and refurbishment projects where penetrating the waterproofing membrane introduces long-term risk. Non-penetrative subframes distribute loads safely without compromising the roof build-up beneath.
This approach reduces the likelihood of leaks, protects existing membranes, and is often preferred where building integrity must be preserved. It is a technical solution that requires proper engineering and precise installation, not guesswork.
Wide-Span Juliet Balconies Over 4 Metres
Juliet balconies are often underestimated. While they appear simple, wide-span Juliet balconies are anything but.
Spans exceeding 4 metres are outside the limits of most standard systems. They demand bespoke glass specification, careful control of deflection, and fully engineered fixing details. Without this, the risk of excessive movement or failure increases dramatically.
360 GSS are recognised specialists in wide-span Juliet balconies, including installations exceeding 4 metres. These projects are engineered individually, with structural calculations supporting the glass, fixings, and supporting structure.
For architects and developers aiming to maximise light and openness without visual interruption, this capability is a major differentiator.
Glass Supply & Installation Under Full Control
Glass used in balconies and balustrades must be safety-rated and appropriate for containment. The wrong specification can lead to rejection by Building Control or compromised safety performance.
360 GSS supplies and installs the glass as part of the engineered system, ensuring the correct type, thickness, and configuration is used for each application. Installation is carried out by specialist teams experienced in handling structural glass, not general contractors.
Decking Supply & installation to Complete the Space
For walk-out balconies and terraces, the surface finish is just as important as the guarding. 360 GSS also supplies and installs decking as part of the wider balcony package.
This ensures the finished space is usable, cohesive, and delivered as a complete environment rather than a partially finished structure.
Accreditation, Approval & Proven Standards
Claims are easy to make. Accreditation is harder to earn.
360 GSS are members of the Glass and Glazing Federation and operates to standards that consistently exceed typical industry expectations. We are also recognised by Local Authority Building Control as approved installers, with systems designed around compliance rather than convenience.
This matters because balconies and balustrades are high-risk elements. Accreditation and approval are not marketing badges. They are safeguards.
Experience with Complex & Demanding Projects
360 GSS have delivered glass balconies and balustrades on some of the most challenging projects across London, the Home Counties, and beyond. From retrofit installations on completed buildings to exposed balconies requiring bespoke steel and glass solutions, our portfolio reflects a deep understanding of structural glass in real-world conditions.
Complex projects require calm coordination, technical clarity, and accountability. This is where the full 360 service truly proves its value.
Why Choosing the Right Glass Balcony Installers Protects Your Investment
Choosing the wrong installer often looks fine at first. Problems appear later, when approvals stall, glass needs changing or fixings are questioned.
Working with 360 GSS means:
- One team is responsible for the entire system
- Structural engineering included, not bolted on
- Compliance documentation prepared upfront
- Steel, glass and installation fully coordinated
- Reduced risk of delays, redesigns and disputes
So, What Now?
If you are planning a glass balcony or Juliet balcony, especially one involving non-penetrative systems or wide spans, the choice of installer is critical.
360 GSS are not simply fitting glass. We are delivering engineered, compliant balcony systems designed to perform safely for decades. With a full 360 service covering survey, engineering, compliance, fabrication, glass, decking and installation, it is clear why so many clients across London, the Home Counties, and beyond trust 360 GSS as their number one glass balcony installers.
If you want a balcony done properly, this is the level of service it demands.