Cutting and Drilling Glass Panels for Railing Hardware

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Drilled glass railing panels are cut to measured dimensions, then holes are machined at the positions set by the engineer's drawing, with edges finished before any tempering. Holes must be drilled before toughening, since post-tempering drilling risks cracking the panel. Every step is checked against the written specification before the panel leaves the factory.

Site measurement and drawing

Accurate preparation starts on site. The fabricator measures the opening, the floor or slab level, the height from finished floor to the top of the glass, and the position of any fixings already in place. Measurements are taken at more than one point, because walls and slabs are rarely perfectly straight or level.

The results go into a drawing and a written specification that show panel size, thickness, hole pattern, hole diameters and edge treatment. The client and engineer approve this document before any glass is cut.

Choosing glass and hardware compatibility

Glass type and thickness depend on the load requirements and the hardware selected. Hardware suppliers publish compatible glass thicknesses, and the hole positions must match the chosen fixing system.

Confirm glass type and thickness against the approved drawing
Check hole diameter and edge distance for the specific fitting
Verify that the Israeli railing standard SI 1142 requirements are reflected in the design, with exact values confirmed by the engineer

Cutting the glass panel

Cutting is done to the measured dimensions with a controlled scoring and breaking process, or with a wet saw for shaped edges. Each panel is checked against the drawing before moving on, since a small error at this stage affects every later step.

Edges are then ground and polished. Clean, consistent edges reduce stress concentration and give the finished railing a neat appearance.

Drilling the holes

Holes are drilled with diamond-tipped tools, using coolant to control heat and prevent chipping. Drill positions are marked from the approved template, and the spacing from edges and between holes follows the hardware manufacturer's instructions.

Each hole is inspected for diameter, position and edge finish. Holes are drilled before tempering, because drilling a fully tempered panel can cause it to shatter.

Tempering, finishing and quality check

After drilling and edge finishing, the panel is toughened in accordance with the specification. Tempering increases strength and changes how the glass breaks, which is why all work must be complete beforehand.

A final quality check confirms dimensions, hole positions, edge finish and surface condition. The panel is labeled for its position in the installation so that it is fitted to the correct location on site.

Installation and fixing on site

On site, the panels are installed using the hardware specified in the drawing. The fitter checks alignment, plumb and level before tightening fixings, and uses the correct packers, gaskets and spacers to avoid direct contact between glass and metal.

The installed railing is checked for stability and fixing torque, following the engineer's guidance and the approved specification.

Frequently asked questions

Why must glass be drilled before tempering?

Toughened glass cannot be drilled reliably after tempering because the internal stress makes it likely to crack or shatter. Holes must be machined into the panel before the toughening process.

What information is needed before cutting glass panels?

The fabricator needs accurate site measurements, the approved drawing, the glass type and thickness, and the hole pattern matched to the chosen hardware. Written approval from the client or engineer should be in place first.

Can I change hole positions after the glass is made?

Changes after production are generally not possible without remaking the panel. Any adjustments should be agreed on the drawing before cutting begins.

Who confirms the railing meets safety requirements?

The engineer confirms design loads and compliance with the Israeli railing standard SI 1142, and exact values are checked with the engineer for each project.

Common mistakes to avoid

Ordering glass from unverified measurements or drilling after tempering are the most common and costly errors. Both can result in rejected panels and delays on site.

Our recommendation

Send the engineer the drawing with hole positions and hardware model before production starts, and confirm every dimension against the on-site measurement. This single check prevents most fit problems.

Summary

Drilled glass railing panels depend on accurate measurement, correct glass selection, drilling before tempering, and careful installation. Following each step from drawing to fixing keeps the railing safe and the fit precise.

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