Glass Vice Direct Fix Glass Balustrades
Glass Vice® Direct Fix Frameless Glass Balustrade System
Glass Vice® Direct Fix is a premium frameless glass balustrade system engineered in New Zealand. It is built around our patented double-friction technology.
We’ve refined our industry-leading bracket to make installation faster and easier.
The latest Glass Vice® includes an integrated clamping system. Because of this, installers no longer need separate clamping sets. This reduces loose parts and speeds up the install process.
In addition, when top-mounting to timber, the base plate is no longer required. This simplifies the fixing detail and improves efficiency on site.
Overall, the system is now lighter, faster, and easier to install—without compromising strength or performance.
Engineered for Compliance & Performance
Glass Vice® suits a wide range of applications. For example, it covers residential and commercial.
- C1/C2 commercial balustrades
- C5 commercial-grade systems for higher-load environments
It has also been used across a wide range of projects, including large-scale builds such as the Bruce Pulman Park Arena.
Glass Options
The system supports:
- 12mm or 15mm toughened safety glass
- 13.52mm and 15.52mm Sentry laminated toughened glass (no top rail required)
- C5 19mm toughened glass with Grabrail.
If required, a Nanorail top cap can also be added for compliance or design preference.
Built for New Zealand Conditions
Each bracket lifts the glass clear of the finished surface. As a result, water and debris can drain freely. This reduces maintenance and improves long-term durability.
Importantly, the system performs well across coastal, urban, and alpine environments throughout New Zealand.
Available Finishes & sizes
You can choose from: 12mm Version more common for pool fencing and balustrades with a top rail or 15mm Version for laminated glass 13.5mm of thicker.
- 316 marine-grade stainless steel (mirror or satin)
- 2205 Duplex stainless steel (mirror or satin)
- bead blasted vice forCustom Dulux® powder-coated finishes
- Black pro texture powder coated 15mm Vices (Coming Soon)
Additionally, both top-mounted and side-mounted options are available. This makes the system easy to adapt to different architectural details.
Nationwide Supply & Certified Installation
Glass Vice® Direct Fix systems are available nationwide. Our certified installers operate from Auckland through to Queenstown.
Architects, builders, and homeowners trust the system because it delivers safety, compliance, and clean design. Therefore, it is widely used on decks, balconies, stairwells, and terraces.
Enquire Today
Get in touch for technical information, project pricing, or installer opportunities.
Have a question?
We would love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Glass Vice USA provides CAD details, load data, and product specifications for use in architectural drawings and permit documentation. Contact us directly or request downloads from the relevant product page.
Yes, Glass Vice USA operates as a wholesale supplier and distributor. We work directly with licensed glaziers, railing contractors, and builders through our national distributor network. If you're a trade professional looking to specify or supply Glass Vice hardware, get in touch to discuss your project or set up a trade account.
We also provide hands-on training and maintain a comprehensive library of installation videos on our YouTube channel to support your team on site.
If you're looking for an installer, just reach out to us and we can put you in touch with a trusted local installation company.
Building codes generally require tempered safety glass or laminated safety glass meeting CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II or ANSI Z97.1 Class A. Minimum panel thickness and configuration will depend on the hardware system, post spacing, and application. Glass Vice USA can provide technical documentation to support your glazier or engineer in specifying the correct glass. we are one of the only companies with a product range ICC Certified without a top cap. other systems must have top caps installed when used as a railing.
ESR-3563 and ESR-4639 are available to download from the product pages on usa.glassvice.com, or you can contact Glass Vice USA directly and we'll send them through along with any additional compliance documentation your project requires.
Glass Vice and Clearline clamps are designed to accept either 9/16" or 5/8" laminated safety glass for frameless glass railing installations without a top cap rail, achieving the required 42" guard height. For installations where a top cap rail is used, 1/2" tempered glass is also an accepted specification.
For commercial applications — including stadiums, hospitality venues, and large-scale developments — Glass Vice hardware can accommodate thicker glass configurations. We recommend contacting Glass Vice USA directly to discuss the right specification for your project.
Glass specifications should always be confirmed with your glazier, installer, or engineer against local IBC and IRC requirements. Some jurisdictions have specific interpretations on laminated versus tempered glass for guard applications, and your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has final say on what is accepted at permit stage.
Glass Vice spigots and clamps are available in mirror, brushed, pro texture black, and custom powder coating to suit your project's design requirements. Glass Vice USA is continuously expanding the finish range across the product lineup — contact us directly for the latest available options or to discuss a custom finish for your project.
Yes. Glass Vice hardware is available in grades suited to coastal and high-salt environments, making it a popular choice for waterfront residential and commercial projects across San Diego, Orange County, and the Florida Gulf Coast. For exposed coastal installations we recommend discussing finish and material grade options with our team — the right specification upfront ensures long-term performance and minimizes maintenance requirements over the life of the railing system.
our products ranges use Stainless 316 Steel, Duplex 2205 Steel & Aluminium for low maintenance corrosion resistance finishes.
Do not used brushed finish close to the water to avoid T staining on the Steel.
Glass Vice hardware systems are designed for installation into a range of structural substrates including concrete, structural timber, and steel. The appropriate fixing method and anchor specification will depend on the substrate type, thickness, and the load requirements of the installation. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports ESR-3563 and ESR-4639 provide substrate-specific installation guidance, and Glass Vice USA can supply full technical documentation to support your installer or engineer in confirming the correct specification for your project.
Yes. Glass Vice Direct Fix & Side fix hardware is compliant with Florida's High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements as per the ICC report, making it suitable for coastal residential and commercial projects throughout South Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, not including Miami-Dade County.
this may effect the glass thickness but it signed off with 9/16th's and 5'8th's laminated SGP glass.
Glass Vice USA operates as a wholesale distributor working directly with licensed glaziers, railing installers, contractors, and builders. To set up a trade account, get in touch via our contact page with details about your business and the type of projects you typically work on. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss pricing, supply terms, and how we can support your projects going forward.
Yes. Glass Vice supplies SouthernLites™ wholesale nationwide. Contact us for freight quotes to your location.
The J Vice JV100 is a patented structural deck bracket that replaces traditional joist hangers and boundary connection hardware on any timber deck where a railing will be installed. It's engineered to resist the rotational leverage of wind loads and the lateral pressure of leaning — the real forces a railing places on a deck structure. No exposed fasteners means a cleaner surface finish, and the bracket locks boards against cupping for a stronger, more stable deck over time.
Available through Glass Vice USA
Glass Vice USA is a wholesale supplier and our products are sold in project-appropriate quantities. Minimum order quantities vary by product and can affect the price. contact us directly with your project scope and we'll put together the right supply package. For larger commercial projects or ongoing supply arrangements, we can discuss preferred pricing and stocking options to keep your projects moving.
