Latest News - Absolute Glass Products Pty Ltd

Frameless Glass Pool Fence Spigot Options

January 22, 2019 By diyglass

The main benefit of frameless glass is the near invisible appearance of the fence. Frameless pool fences generally have two brackets at the bottom of each panel called “spigots” that hold each fence panel in place.

Originally not alot of emphasis was placed on the appearance of the spigot. Pool Fence builders generally just included stainless steel spigots as a standard with no other options for their customers. Times have changed however, with black spigots becoming a popular alternative with our customers throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Spigot Colour

Polished stainless steel spigots with a mirror finish have historically been the most common (and only) choice for frameless pool fence spigots. The mirror finish is an attractive look and marine grade stainless steel won’t rust so it’s the perfect option for a low maintenance pool fence with a high end look.

In recent times black spigots have become increasingly popular as people look to make a statement with their spigot choice. Black door handles and accents have become increasingly popular throughout the internal cabinetry and furniture and this trend has worked its way to our outdoor areas as well.

We stock a range of polished stainless and black pool fence spigots. In addition our in-house powder coating facility means we can make your spigots to any other colour you may desire.

Glass Panel Attachment Options

The other variable with spigots is the way the spigot holds the glass panel in place.

The most common and affordable technique is a clamping technique utilising grub screws. The glass panel wedges into the spigot and the grub screws are tightened against the glass to clamp it in place.

This type of spigot is suitable for many applications however not recommended for high wind or high traffic areas as the panels can become loose over time.

The alternative to clamping spigots is compression spigots. Compression spigots anchor to the glass with a bolt that passes through pre-drilled holes in the pool fence panel. This makes for a much stronger hold on the glass and enables it to withstand greater wind forces. The panel will not come loose with high traffic or vibration.

If you would like a quotation on supply only or supply and install of a frameless (or semi frameless) pool fence please contact us today on 1800 199 932 of fill in the online quote request form.

Custom Glass Panel Price Comparision

May 24, 2016 By diyglass

We recently did a price comparison on our custom glass fence panels and the results may surprise you.

Whilst many customers assume that the larger chains are always cheaper, this is certainly not the case when it comes to custom glass panels.

We found that our price for 12mm Clear Toughened Glass Custom Panels was over $130 cheaper per square metre. Our 10mm Clear Toughened Glass Custom Panel price was over $140 cheaper per square metre!

This is proof that it pays to shop around.

Custom Glass Panel Price Comparison Results 24 May 2016

12mm Clear Toughened Glass – Custom Made Glass Fence Panels
Our price – $220 m2 inc gst
Bunnings price – $356 m2 inc gst
(price shown 24 May 2016 on Bunnings website – highgrove 12mm toughened glass)

1omm Clear Toughened Glass – Custom Made Glass Fence Panels
Our price – $198 m2 inc gst
Bunnings price – $339 m2 inc gst
(price shown 24 May 2016 on Bunnings website – highgrove 10mm toughened glass)

Note that our prices above may vary slightly for some unique requests.

More information on our custom glass fence panels.

Glass Gate Latch Options

May 3, 2016 By diyglass

There are a number of pull latches available for glass pool fencing that are designed to suit different fence designs.

All of our frameless and semi-frameless glass gate latches come in either full stainless steel or stainless/matte black finish.

: Glass to wall latch – black

: Glass to glass external corner latch

: Glass to glass internal corner latch

It’s worth noting that the latch will always be mounted on the pool side of the fence. The hinge will always be mounted on the non-pool side of the fence and the gate will always open away from the pool. These measures are in place to meet Australian Safety Standards.

There are different latch styles used for frameless and semi-frameless glass.

Glass to Glass Latch

This is the most commonly used type of latch. Mounted on the pool side of the glass, this latch is designed to connect between two side-by-side glass panels

Glass to Glass Internal Corner Latch

Commonly used when the gate is adjacent to a fence corner.

Glass to Glass External Corner Latch

Also used on fence corner but when the corner runs in the opposite direction to the internal corner latch.

Glass to Wall Latch

Used when a gate must be adjacent to a solid wall.

Glass to Square Post Latch

Suitable when attaching a gate to square semi-frameless glass fencing.

Glass to Round Post Latch

Suitable when attaching a gate to round semi-frameless glass fencing.

Maintaining & cleaning your glass pool fence

April 12, 2016 By diyglass

Many of our pool fencing customers consider the additional cleaning required for glass pool fencing when it comes time to decide between aluminium and glass fencing.

Frameless and semi-frameless glass fencing looks amazing once installed and cleaning a glass pool fence is a relatively pain free process. In this article we will run through our recommendations for maintaining and cleaning your glass pool fence.

Note: The advice given below is general in nature and is recommended for products sold by Absolute Glass Pty Ltd. Cleaning agents may be detrimental to inferior quality products that are not sold by us.

Cleaning the glass & stainless components

Use a soft bristled broom to make cleaning easier

Firstly, give the glass a quick hose to remove any light blemishes. We recommend mixing up a bucket of warm water combined with some dishwashing detergent. You can use any type of soft bristled brush or even a car washing sponge to apply the detergent mix but we recommend using a soft bristled broom to improve your reach and make the cleaning process easier. If you have tough marks such as bird droppings you may need to use a sponge to remove those.

Use your soft bristled brush and detergent mix to also clean the spigots or fence posts at the same time.

Once you’ve cleaned the surface simply hose off the residue. We recommend hosing off before the detergent mix dries up to avoid streaking.

We find that the above process is enough to keep your glass panels nice and clean. As an additional step you could use window cleaner and paper towel on the glass to create an even greater shine, but this requires alot more effort than simply hosing and brushing.

Renewing the shine on stainless steel spigots, fence posts and accessories

Apply NanoCoat once every couple of years to protect the stainless

The cleaning process above with help keep your stainless components clean but we do recommend re-coating your stainless components every couple of years with a surface protection barrier. Our recommendation is NanoCoat Metal 2 in 1. Not only does the NanoCoat product clean and polish the product but it creates an invisible, non-stick long lasting protective barrier to keep your stainless components looking like new.

Good quality stainless will never rust although it is still possible to get surface dirt and grime that has a rust like appearance. This should simply wipe off when applying the NanoCoat product.

Inspecting your fence for movement and function

From time to time pool fencing panels can become loose or misaligned. There are a number of reasons for this ranging from poor installation and components, to movement created by weather, trees and branches (or people) and general settling/movement of the mounting surface.

Adjusting the gate

The gate panel and panels in the immediate vicinity most commonly may require adjusting. The force created when the pool gate shuts tends to place pressure on the panels and spigots / fence posts.

If your pool gate is no longer closing properly then it is of utmost importance to fix it immediately. A gate that doesn’t close can be more dangerous as a drowning risk than having no pool fence at all as the fence may present a false sense of security to visitors.

The latch and hinge mechanisms generally have the ability for slight adjustment and in some cases this may be all that is required. The adjustment will usually be made with a screwdriver or alan key depending on the type of latch and hinge set up your fence has.

Adjusting glass panels

If you have a frameless glass pool fence with friction spigots then your glass panels will be more likely to become loose over time. Friction spigots hold the glass in place with a grub screw that tightens a plate against the glass, clamping it in place. The grub screw can usually be tightened with an alan key or screwdriver. If you have premium compression spigots then it is unlikely you will need to tighten anything as the glass is physically fixed to the spigot with a bolt passing through a hole in the glass. This is a far superior glass panel mounting system.

If your glass panel has become misaligned then it is possible that the spigot may have shifted. If the misalignment is minor then you may be able to adjust your spigots to fix the issue, otherwise it may be time to call in a professional to inspect whether the spigot or post’s mounting surface is causing the problem. It may be necessary to re-fix the spigot or fence post in place.

If the actual spigot or fence post is wiggling or moving at the base then this will almost definitely require re-installation of that particular spigot / fence post. Do not put off fixing this issue as excessive movement can also cause the glass to shatter in some instances.

Queensland’s Deadline For Pool Fence Compliance Approaching Fast

August 20, 2015 By diyglass

Queensland pool owners have until the 30th of November to comply with Queensland’s pool safety laws.

The current standard was introduced on 1 December 2010 and residential home owners were given til the end of November 2015 to comply.

It is expected to be a busy time for pool fence suppliers and installers and customers are urged to get in quick whilst the temperature is still a bit cooler. Once the warmer months approach most suppliers and installers become very busy and the impending deadline is likely to cause additional demand.

Those needing a pool fence are urged to do their research and ensure they purchase a quality product that will be compliant with Queensland’s pool safety standards and will not fall apart due to cheaper components.

This upcoming deadline represents the final stage in making all pools in Queensland compliant with the current pool safety standards. Up until now, only those home owners that sold or leased their property were required by law to have their pool fence meet standards. Hotels, motels, resorts and other buildings providing short term accommodation with shared pools were required to meet the standard by June 1, 2011. Some body corporates with long term accomodation had until 30 November 2012 to comply.

Some common questions regarding pool fence compliance:

Can I install my own pool fence? – Yes you can, provided the materials and installation meets with the pool safety standards. We do sell DIY Pool Fencing kits in glass and aluminium and can provide guidance and installation tips to help you meet the standards.
Is a child resistant door such as a self closing or self latching door acceptable? No – these are not considered sufficient or acceptable under the new pool safety standards.
Do I have to have a CPR sign? Yes – the latest prescribed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign adopted by the Australian Resuscitation Council needs to be displayed near each pool.
Does a spa or temporary pool need a fence? Yes – if it can hold 300mm of water or more.

Fines range from 1 penalty unit to 7 penalty units and a single penalty unit is equal to $117.80 (at 1 July 2015). The maximum penalty for non-compliance of pool fencing legislation is 165 penalty units which is around $19,347.

Choosing the right quality of glass for your pool fence

June 25, 2015 By diyglass

square-feature

One of the first things people consider when buying a glass pool fence is what type of glass their fence requires. It is important that your new pool fence meets Australian standards and can be certified and there are some critical factors which should be taken into account when you purchase your new pool fence.

Over time there have been many stories about inferior quality glass panels shattering or “exploding” due to being made of a poor quality so, with good reason, customers want to ensure they get the right type of glass for the application.

We have compiled a list of factors to consider when selecting glass for your pool fence.

Thickness of glass

Glass panel thicknesses that are most commonly available on the Australian market range from 6mm through to 12mm. The thickness of the glass is of great importance.

We use and recommend the following thicknesses of glass:

Semi Frameless Glass – 10mm thick
Frameless Glass – 12mm thick

Whilst it is possible to purchase 6-8mm glass panels, we urge customers to use caution with these thinner panels. In the event of an impact, such as a person falling into the glass panel we would not like the chance of these thinner panels standing up to the impact. Glass panels also take very high loads of wind and the thicker the glass the more likely that it will not shatter during high wind gusts or other weather events.

Australian Standards

All of our panels pass the Australian Standard for Safety Glass in Buildings (asnz2208). In addition all of our panels are stamped by an International Certification Company (CSi) which signifies that our panels and production processes have met strict quality standards and criteria.

Whilst most of the panels from other suppliers may scrape by the Australian Standards, it is unlikely they would be stamped with certification by an independent company unless they are of a very high quality.

Height and width of the glass pool fence panels

Standard glass pool fence panels are usually 1200mm high. The width of the panels vary but generally a semi-frameless pool fence panel will be between 1600-1800mm wide whilst a frameless pool fence panel will be 1800-1900mm wide.

Round Spigot Special Panel

Special glass panels

Custom panels are often required where the fence meets another structure, such as a retaining wall, garden bed, stairs, decking or any other incline/decline in surface. We have special panels available off-the-shelf which is a huge money saver for many customers. The height of our custom panels ranges from 1300-1800mm (rising in 50mm increments).

The cost to custom make panels is usually much higher than the cost of a standard panel so it’s in a customers best interests to establish the costs of any special panels before committing to a supplier.

Type of spigot you will be using (frameless glass only)

If you plan on using premium compression spigots then you will need to use glass that has the mounting holes pre-drilled into the glass. Compression spigots use a bolt through system that anchors the glass to the spigot, creating a stronger overall fence.

If you are going for the cheaper alternative then you will likely be using friction spigots. Friction spigots use a grub screw to clamp the glass in, rather than bolting the glass in. Glass panels that are used for friction spigots don’t require any mounting holes through the glass.

New Heat Soaked Toughened Frameless Glass Balustrade Range

May 21, 2015 By diyglass

Absolute Glass Products is excited to announce our new line of frameless glass balustrade products available in all states of Australia and the Pacific Islands.

In response to a flood of enquiries that we couldn’t do justice to, we have invested in new warehousing to store our new range of 12mm “heat soaked” toughened balustrade glass, a variety of mirror polished stainless steel top rails and of course, our very own design and cyclone resistant compression spigots.

The new heat soaked 12mm glass is 970mm high, with the gap under the glass and the capping on top, the finished height of the balustrade is approx 1060mm high exceeding the 1 metre minimum requirement for a balustrade when the deck is more than a metre above the ground.

Heat Soaking

Heat soaking is an extra process to reduce the risk of breakage due to sulphide inclusions expanding in the glass. If sulphide inclusions exist, the glass will break in the heat soaking process rather than after the glass is installed. It does not guarantee the elimination of nickel sulphide impurities but it vastly reduces the likelihood.

Did you know that under AS1288, to reduce the risk of breakage resulting from nickel sulphide inclusions, glass in all sloped overhead glazed assemblies more than 3m above floor or ground level and all vertical glazed assemblies more than 5m above floor or ground level must be head soaked glass?

Most people don’t know and most suppliers don’t care, they will still supply you with standard toughened glass but we won’t. We care about the safety of your family and the public, we have a duty of care to provide you a product that is as safe as it can be and meets all relevant statutory requirements.

Our frameless glass balustrade is a great look and adds considerably to the value of your home or commercial project.

Commercial Projects

If you have a large commercial project coming up with special glass requirements such as acid etched, providing you have a minimum of 8 weeks lead-time, we can tailor make an order from our supplier, saving your project a fortune and at the same time, giving your job a premium look. Acid etched glass is ideal when the council requires screening or privacy for homes below or adjacent to a deck. Alternatively it is a great option when you would like privacy from prying eyes.

We have recently provided this $$$ saving service for a Victorian developer whose 4 story project required heat soaked 12mm acid etched glass. The alternative was an after market stick on tint which has a limited life span.

Please call us or submit a quote request with your requirements, you will not be disappointed with the savings and the end result.

Pool fence equipotential bonding (earthing the fence)

May 20, 2015 By diyglass

When planning a new pool area many people are aware of pool safety certification, for example maintaining minimum pool fence heights to minimise drowning risks. However it is not as commonly known that a pool fence must also meet electrical guidelines.

In instances where your pool fence is within 1.25m of the pool edge your fence must be earthed to prevent the risk of electrocution. Basically if there is an electrical current within the pool water and a person in the water touches a metal fitting then this can cause death or serious injury. This requirement means a earth wire must be run between spigots (underground) and then to an earthing point, usually on the house.

It is a requirement under AS3000 ;2007 that Equipotential Bonding (earth bonding) is required to pool fencing when the fence is within arm’s reach (1.250m) of the pool edge and Zone 1.

Aluminium fencing must maintain continuity throughout the length of the fence within arm’s reach.
Glass fencing that has metallic fittings greater than 100mm must also be bonded including metal posts within arm’s reach.

Please ensure that the correct earthing on metal components of your glass or aluminium fencing is done by a qualified electrical contractor.

Check the weight and size before you purchase Frameless Glass Spigots

May 14, 2015 By diyglass

Often customers come to us with spigot prices they have found online or in the large hardware stores and are curious as to how the competitor’s spigot differs from ours. Spigots are the supports that hold a frameless glass pool fence in place.

We have noticed a trend in the spigot market lately where the size, weight and quality of spigots has dropped in an attempt to find a way to offer cheaper glass pool fence components to their customers.

It is a similar approach that has been taken by manufacturers in other industries where they have reduced the size of a product but kept the original price. For instance, a major chocolate manufacturer recently reduced the size of their chocolate blocks without reducing the price.

To pool fence buyers, it is difficult for them to notice or be aware of the difference in spigot quality as most people generally only buy 1 or a few pool fences in their time.

Our compression spigots weigh 4kg each..that’s 4kg of solid stainless steel! If you pick them up and inspect them you can feel that they are a quality product. The same can’t be said for some of the cheaper imitations. The weight and size of the competitor’s spigots have reduced in many instances and we urge buyers to be aware of this.

Glass pool fences become a mostly solid structure once they’re erected and as such the can receive alot of pressure from wind gusts and other weather events. It’s important that the components including the glass and supporting structure (whether spigots or aluminium frame) are strong enough to handle all types of weather.

Be wary of cheap frameless pool fences

December 11, 2014 By diyglass

We often speak to customers who have had a bad experience with a poor quality pool fence. Part of the problem is that buyers don’t know what to look for when making their purchasing decision.

Frameless glass fences may all look similar on first glance but upon closer inspection the difference in quality becomes apparent.

Glass quality and thickness is what most buyers check up on. The glass must meet or exceed Australian Standards to be able to be certified.

Cheaper frameless glass pool fences almost always use friction style spigots which clamp the glass in by tightening against the glass, rather than premium compression spigots that mechanically fix the glass to the spigot. Premium compression spigots reuire the glass panels to have a pre-cut hole where a fixing bolt can pass through. Friction spigots don’t pass through the glass at all, they simply clamp.

Whilst good results can still be achieved with good quality friction spigots it is important that they are engineered correctly as poorly made friction spigots have a tendency to allow the glass to move and come loose. High flex areas such as panels that are either side of the gate are the most likely to come loose.

Cheaper friction spigots have poor quality rubber/plastic spacer systems that don’t contact the surface of the glass properly and in some cases the material that is used to make the spigot may even have flex in it causing poor performance over the longer term.

It is also worth mentioning that it can be difficult to gain certification for your fence if your products have not been purchased from a reputable supplier. For instance, we won’t certify any fence unless it is constructed completely of our own products.

It is important to look around when choosing a frameless glass pool fence.

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