Installing Glass Spigots: Core-Drill vs Base Plate

Spigots hold the entire load of a frameless glass railing, so how they are fixed matters as much as the spigot itself. Here are the two methods.

Core-drill (grouted) mounting

A hole is cored into the concrete slab, the spigot is set in and grouted with a high-strength non-shrink grout.

• Look: cleanest — no visible base plate or bolts
• Needs: sufficient slab depth and sound concrete
• Time: slower — coring, setting, grout curing
• Serviceability: difficult to remove or adjust later

Base-plate (surface / side) mounting

The spigot has a flange that bolts to the top or side of the structure with anchors.

• Look: base plate visible (often covered with a cover plate)
• Needs: sound surface and correct anchors
• Time: faster — drill, bolt, done
• Serviceability: can be removed or adjusted

Which should you choose?

• New construction with a thick slab, want the cleanest look → core-drill
• Retrofit, thin slab, tiled floor, or need speed → base plate
• Side-fixing to a slab edge to save floor space → side-mount base plate

Waterproofing — do not skip this

Any penetration into an outdoor slab is a potential leak path. Seal around cored holes and under base plates properly, especially above habitable space. This is the most common cause of callbacks on balcony railings.

General installation notes

• Set out and check all positions before drilling anything
• Check for rebar and services before coring
• Let grout cure fully before loading glass
• Always use the supplied gaskets — never metal directly against glass
• Tighten evenly; over-tightening cracks glass
• Keep protective film on until work around the railing is finished

Tell us your slab type and we will recommend the right spigot and fixing.