Glass Partition Fitting Guide

A competent tradesperson or reasonably experienced DIYer can fit a straightforward glass partition kit. The glass arrives made to measure, with any required holes and cut-outs completed before delivery. The aluminium channels arrive in 3 metre lengths and must be cut and drilled on site.

Video: How to Install Glass Partitioning

This video demonstrates the basic installation process. The exact sequence varies when the partition includes a door, transom, corner or divider, so use the written guidance below for the configuration you have ordered.

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Before You Start

Measure the finished tight opening after plastering, flooring and other surrounding work have been completed. Measure the width and height in at least three places and work from the smallest measurement. Do not deduct your own fitting tolerance because the calculator makes the required allowances when working out the glass sizes.

Check the opening with a laser or spirit level. Small variations can normally be managed with suitable packers. If the variation is significant, contact us before ordering.

Glass Partition Components

1. Ceiling, Floor and Wall Channels

The ceiling uses a plain U channel. The floor and walls use two-part channel, allowing the glass to be positioned before the second section is clipped into place.

Channels are supplied in 3 metre lengths. They are not cut to the opening and are not pre-drilled, so the installer must measure, cut and drill them on site. Screws and structural fixings are not supplied because the correct fixing depends on the construction of the floor, walls and ceiling.

2. Gaskets

The rubber gaskets slide into the cleats inside the channels before the glass is fitted. They grip the glass and keep it away from the aluminium. They are not wedge gaskets pushed into the channel after glazing.

3. Made-to-Measure Glass Panels

The toughened glass panels are manufactured to the finished dimensions calculated for the partition. Any required holes and cut-outs for the ordered door hardware are completed before the glass is toughened. Toughened glass cannot be cut, drilled or altered on site.

Use glass suckers to lift the panels and packers in the base channel to level them. Protect the edges and corners from knocks while moving or storing the glass.

4. Dry Joins

Dry joins are supplied for connecting adjacent glass panels. They create a neat, uniform 4mm joint and are easier to use consistently than silicone.

Each dry join is supplied in a 3 metre length. Cut it to the required size, clean the glass edges and use the adhesive strip on each side to secure it between the panels.

5. Glass Doors

Frameless doors use a hydraulic floor pivot and top patch and open in both directions. Framed doors use side-hung hydraulic hinges, open in one direction and must be ordered with the correct hand.

Set the pivots or position the door frame before fitting the fixed glass panels. The door itself is fitted last, after the surrounding glass and channels are secure.

Glass Partition Fitting Sequence

Set out the partition and check the finished opening.
Cut and drill the 3 metre aluminium channel lengths on site.
Fix the ceiling U channel and the two-part floor and wall channels using suitable structural fixings.
Slide the gaskets into the channel cleats before fitting any glass.
Set the frameless door pivots or position the framed door frame, if the partition includes a door.
For a framed door with a transom, slide the overhead glass panel into the positioned frame and the ceiling channel. The frame is supported at this stage.
Fit the fixed glass panels. Where there is a framed transom, the panels on either side support the door frame.
Cut the supplied dry joins to length and fit them between adjacent panels using the adhesive strip on each side.
Clip the second section onto the floor and wall channels.
Fit the glass door last, then fit the handles and adjust the hydraulic hardware.

Tools Required

Tape measure
Laser or spirit level
Hacksaw or chop saw for cutting the aluminium channels
Power drill and suitable drill bits
Screwdrivers
Glass suckers
Packers
Screws and structural fixings suitable for the floor, walls and ceiling
Suitable protective equipment, including gloves and safety glasses

How Many People and How Much Time?

At least two people are normally needed to handle the glass safely. A straightforward 4 to 5 metre partition can comfortably be fitted in one day by two competent people. A longer partition does not necessarily require more installers, but you should allow additional fitting time.

Skirting, Trunking and Services

The partition should normally be measured wall to wall, with the channel cut into the skirting rather than stopping against it. Where trunking is infilled with timber, take the finished measurement from timber to timber. Avoid glass cut-outs around pipes or trunking wherever possible.

If services, uneven surfaces or an unusual layout affect the proposed partition line, contact us before ordering.

Price and Order Your Partition Online

National Glass Partitions supplies complete made-to-measure partition kits with glass and door ironmongery where selected. Enter the finished opening measurements in the calculator, see an accurate price and order online.

PRICE YOUR GLASS PARTITION ONLINE →

Questions about fitting? Call 0800 772 3992 or email sales@nationalglasspartitions.co.uk.

Yes. A reasonably competent DIYer can fit a straightforward glass partition kit if they can measure accurately, drill into the surrounding structure and work carefully with large glass panels. At least two people are normally needed to handle the glass safely. National Glass Partitions supplies the glass made to measure, with any required holes and cut-outs completed before delivery. The aluminium channels arrive in 3 metre lengths and must be cut and drilled on site.

You will normally need a tape measure, laser or spirit level, power drill and suitable drill bits, a hacksaw or chop saw for cutting the aluminium channels, screwdrivers, packers and glass suckers. You will also need fixings suitable for your floor, walls and ceiling, together with appropriate protective equipment.

At least two people are normally required because of the size and weight of the glass panels. Two competent people can fit a typical partition. A longer partition does not necessarily require more installers, but you should allow additional fitting time.

A straightforward 4 to 5 metre glass partition can normally be fitted comfortably within one day by two competent people. Longer partitions, corners, multiple doors and more complicated layouts may take longer. The condition and level of the surrounding floor, walls and ceiling will also affect the installation time.

Check the opening in several places with a laser or spirit level before ordering. Small variations can normally be managed with suitable packers when the channels and glass are installed. If the variation is significant, contact us before ordering so the opening and proposed layout can be checked.

No. Toughened glass cannot be cut, drilled or altered after it has been manufactured. Every panel arrives made to the required finished size, with any door-hardware holes or other cut-outs completed before toughening. The aluminium channels arrive in 3 metre lengths and are cut and drilled on site.

The partition components are supplied for the configuration ordered, but screws and fixings for securing the system to the building are not included. Floors, walls and ceilings can be constructed from different materials, so the installer must select fixings suitable for the actual structure.

Check and set out the opening first. Cut and drill the 3 metre channel lengths, fix the ceiling, floor and wall channels, then slide the gaskets into the channel cleats before fitting the glass. Set the door pivots or position the door frame, fit the fixed glass and dry joins, clip on the second part of the floor and wall channels, and fit the door last. For a framed door with a transom, position the frame first, slide the overhead panel into the frame and ceiling channel, then fit the panels on either side to support the frame before fitting the door.

Yes. A competent carpenter, builder or general tradesperson can usually install a straightforward glass partition without employing a specialist partition fitter. Accurate measurement, secure fixing, careful glass handling and checking that everything is level are more important than previous partition-fitting experience.

The weight depends on the glass thickness and panel size. As a guide, 10mm glass weighs approximately 25kg per square metre and 12mm glass weighs approximately 30kg per square metre. Large panels should be handled by at least two people using proper glass suckers, with the glass protected from knocks to its edges and corners.