Architectural Glass Vice
Side-mounted Frameless glass Railing ICC Certified no top cap
All the performance of the Direct Fix. Mounted to the side of the structure.
The Architectural Vice is the side-mounted version of our flagship Direct Fix system — engineered for applications where top-fixing to the substrate isn't possible, or where keeping the walking surface clear of hardware is a priority. Same patented double-friction clamping. Same ICC certification. Same no-drill installation. Fixed to the face of the stringer, beam, joist, or structural substrate instead of the top.
✦ ICC-ES Certified ✦ LARR Approved — California ✦ Florida HVHZ Compliant ✦ No Top Rail Required ✦ No Glass Drilling
Specifications
| System type | Side-fixed frameless glass railing |
| Fixing method | Patented double-friction clamp — no glass drilling |
| Hardware material | 316 marine-grade stainless steel |
| Finishes | Mirror polish / Brushed satin/ Black |
| Glass — no top rail | 9/16" or 5/8" SGP laminated tempered safety glass |
| Glass — with NanoRail cap | 1/2" or 5/8" tempered safety glass |
| Bottom rail | Not required |
| Top rail | Not required with laminated glass |
| Substrate | Timber stringer, steel beam, concrete face, cladded facade |
| Code references | IBC Section 1015 / IRC Section R312 |
Now With Integrated Clamping sets
The world's best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for. Side-mounted Frameless glass Railing ICC Certified no top cap
Why Installers Specify the Architectural Vice
Maximizes usable surface area — brackets mount to the side of the structure rather than the top, keeping the full deck or stair tread width clear of hardware.
Purpose-built for stairs — side-fixing to an open stringer is the natural installation method for stair railings. The Architectural Vice maintains a consistent glass line from landing to landing with no compromise on finish.
No drilling through glass — patented double-friction clamping holds panels securely without touching the glass integrity. Faster on site, lower breakage risk.
Works where top-fixing won't — cladded facades, cantilevered decks, exposed steel stringers, and timber-framed structures where top-surface anchor points aren't available or appropriate.
Full compliance documentation — ICC-ES reports, LARR certificate, and Florida HVHZ compliance ready for building department submission on every project.
Architectural Glass Vice
Applications
Open stair railings — side-fixed deck and balcony railings — cladded facade mounting — cantilevered deck edges — exposed steel and timber stringer staircases — commercial stair guardrails — projects where maximising stairwell width is a design priority.
Now With Integrated Clamping sets
The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.
The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade.
Applications
Open stair railings — side-fixed deck and balcony railings — cladded facade mounting — cantilevered deck edges — exposed steel and timber stringer staircases — commercial stair guardrails — projects where maximising stairwell width is a design priority.
Now With Integrated Clamping sets
The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.
The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade. The new Architectural Vice features a fully integrated clamping system — the clamping set is built directly into the bracket, eliminating separate components, reducing parts on site, and speeding up installation without sacrificing any of the precision or holding strength the Glass Vice® system is known for.The world’s best glass railing bracket just got an upgrade.
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.
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.
Yes. Glass Vice supplies SouthernLites™ wholesale nationwide. Contact us for freight quotes to your location.
Glass & Aluminium pool fencing from Glass Vice® delivers certified, that combine Patented innovation with safety with architectural design. Glass and aluminium options available, all engineered to meet New Zealand building codes. available for supply and installation from Auckland to Queenstown.
Glass & Aluminium pool fencing from Glass Vice® delivers certified, that combine Patented innovation with safety with architectural design. Glass and aluminium options available, all engineered to meet New Zealand building codes. available for supply and installation from Auckland to Queenstown.
Glass & Aluminium pool fencing from Glass Vice® delivers certified, that combine Patented innovation with safety with architectural design. Glass and aluminium options available, all engineered to meet New Zealand building codes. available for supply and installation from Auckland to Queenstown.
