Stair glass balustrade and shower glass for an architect-designed home in St Heliers, Auckland
- Location: St Heliers, East Auckland
- Scope: Design, supply and installation of an interior stair glass balustrade and frameless-style shower glass, including PS1 and PS3 producer statements
- Partners: Homeowners, architect, builder, Royal Glass design and installation team
Project Overview
What the owners and architect needed
Designing the stair glass balustrade system
- Channel-fixed glass balustrade: a continuous aluminium channel fixed along the stair edge, with toughened glass panels running up to about 1,000 mm above finished floor
- Top rail: a slim profile top rail to tie the glass together structurally and provide a comfortable hand-grip
- Powder-coat options: a standard Duralloy powder-coat finish versus a higher-spec Duratec Elements finish, both suitable for an interior stair balustrade
Two pricing options were prepared so the owners and architect could compare:
- Standard Duralloy powder-coated stair glass balustrade
- Duratec Elements powder-coated stair glass balustrade at a slightly higher price point
On Site images
Coordinating with the architect and builder
Because this was a new build in St Heliers, timing and coordination were important:
The architect wanted reassurance that the channel fixings and glass heights would align with their details and NZ Building Code requirements. Royal Glass reviewed the drawings and issued a quote with lead times and fixing assumptions clearly stated.
The builder needed to know how the balustrade channel would be fixed so the substrate under the stair edge could be prepared correctly. Royal Glass shared relevant fixing details and confirmed that a site inspection would be carried out before final manufacture.
Once the quote was accepted and the deposit paid, partial invoices were arranged in the owner’s name for bank and record-keeping purposes. This was followed by:
Site check and measure to confirm the stair opening dimensions and fixing positions
Colour confirmation, ensuring the chosen powder-coat finish aligned with the architect’s expectations
Preparation of PS1 documentation in line with the selected system and configuration
Adding frameless-style shower glass
Alongside the stair balustrade, the project also included shower glass for a walk-in bathroom layout. Notes from site recorded approximate glass sizes and checked that:
The tiled walls and floors would be ready before glass installation
The shower openings and nibs matched the original design so glass could be cut accurately
The configuration would provide good water containment while keeping the bathroom feeling open and light
By combining the shower glass and stair glass balustrade into a single package, the owners kept finishes consistent and simplified coordination for their builder.
Installation in St Heliers
Once manufacturing was complete and tiling was finished, Royal Glass scheduled installation:
Stair glass balustrade installation
The team installed the powder-coated channel along the stair edge as per the approved design.
Toughened glass panels were set into the channel, aligned carefully to keep the top line straight and joints tight.
The slim top rail was fitted, giving a solid feel under hand without visually closing in the stair.
Shower glass installation
Fixed glass panels were installed to form the walk-in shower, with hardware positioned to minimise visual clutter and make cleaning easier.
Clearances at the floor and walls were checked to suit tile falls and waterproofing.
Photos were taken on completion to document the finished interior glass balustrade and frameless shower glass for the owners, architect and builder.
Compliance, PS documents and feedback
After installation, Royal Glass:
Issued PS3 documentation, pairing it with the previously prepared PS1 so the glass balustrade system had a complete producer-statement trail
Issued the final invoice and closed out the job once payment was received
Sent a follow-up “Your opinion matters” email with a link to an online feedback form
The owners responded with top scores across the board, rating Royal Glass 5/5 for quality of frameless glass, installation process, communication and overall satisfaction, and confirming they would recommend the company to others.
The finished result
The St Heliers home now features:
A sleek interior stair glass balustrade using a side-fixed channel system and slim top rail
Toughened glass panels that maximise natural light and keep sightlines open between levels
A frameless-style shower enclosure that makes the tiled bathroom feel more spacious
Powder-coated aluminium components that tie in with the home’s interior finishes
Full PS1 and PS3 documentation supporting future council and compliance needs
From the owners’ perspective, the project delivered the clean, modern look they wanted, with a stair and shower that feel solid, safe and easy to live with day to day.
