HEAVY DUTY DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL USE
armourglass DRIVE
Drive on Glass Floors & Rooflights
The ultimate in structural glass floors & rooflights is our highest-specification drive-on glass, meticulously engineered to endure the substantial weight of vehicular traffic.
CAR SHOWROOM DRIVE ON GLASS FLOOR MERCHANDISE DISPLAY
Drive on Structural Glass Floors & Rooflights
Drive-on structural glass floors and rooflights are specialist structural elements, not standard glazing. By using multi-laminated, heat-soaked glass build-ups, tested to British Standards and Eurocodes, they deliver both strength and architectural impact.
These solutions allow cars, light trucks, and pedestrians to traverse safely above, while bringing natural light to the spaces below.
armourglass DRIVE, Heavy duty glass floors & rooflights
82mm THICK DRIVE ON GLASS FLOOR
Multiple applications
Our drive on glass panels can seamlessly integrate into various applications, including glass floors, rooflights, well covers, glass display boxes and much more.
Suitable for both Residential & Commercial uses.
Design Specification
Constructed with a robust stainless steel frame, elegantly concealed by a sleek black resin border, this design is engineered to withstand vehicular traffic, whilst also adding a sophisticated touch to any space.
GLASS THICKNESS:
- Drive on glass floor: 82mm
- Triple glazed rooflight: 126m
It looks amazing, it’s just inside our front door so every customer sees it on entering. It’s a real talking point.
Thank you for all your considerable help with this project, you have been first class and I will gladly forward your details & company on whenever I am asked.
Our Manufacturing & Installation Services
Custom Glass Floor Design & Sizes
Work with our dedicated team to create a unique design for your drive on glass.
Drive on glass can be manufactured in single panels upto 5m x 2.5m each.
Expert Installation
Our experienced team will ensure a perfect fit and finish utilising our advanced lifting equipment.
We can facilitate road closures and obtain necessary permits if required.
CIRCULAR DRIVE ON STRUCTURAL GLASS WELL COVER INSTALLATION
Precision-engineered structural glass elements
Designed in compliance with British Standards and Eurocodes, they offer a combination of load-bearing strength, durability, and transparency. When specified and detailed correctly, they allow vehicles to pass above while safely delivering daylight into the spaces below — a fusion of structural engineering and architectural innovation.
Load Bearing Requirements
Design loads for drive-on glass systems are calculated in accordance with relevant standards :
- Eurocode 1 (EN 1991) for imposed loads, including vehicular traffic.
- BS EN 1993 & BS EN 1994 for supporting structures (steel framing, composite action).
- BS 6262-6 and BS EN 572/12150/12543 for glazing safety and performance.
All glass units are tested to ensure they can withstand point loads, uniform distributed loads, and dynamic vehicular movement.
VEHICLE – DRIVE ON GLASS FLOOR PANEL
Drainage & Waterproofing
Drive-on rooflights are subject to external weather exposure and therefore require:
- Perimeter drainage channels or integrated upstands to prevent pooling.
- Sealed structural glazing systems with high-performance gaskets and silicones (EN 1279 compliance).
- Thermal insulation using insulated glass units (IGUs) with low-E coatings and argon-filled cavities, where daylighting and energy efficiency are critical.
Support Structures
While the glass itself provides the load-bearing surface, support is critical. Drive-on assemblies are generally set within:
- Steel frames, designed to limit deflection to L/250 or less.
- Flush detailing with surrounding paving or driveway materials to prevent trip hazards and to allow smooth vehicular movement.
Applications
- Basement rooflights over habitable rooms beneath driveways or car lifts.
- Courtyard and driveway glazing providing natural light to subterranean spaces.
- Commercial showrooms where vehicles can be displayed above illuminated spaces .
- General public areas requiring the highest level of glass strength.
- Architectural landscaping for natural light in subterranean galleries.
- Viewing platforms.
Safety & Maintenance
- Laminated construction ensures that, even in the unlikely event of breakage, glass fragments remain bonded to interlayers, preventing collapse.
- Glass edges are polished and treated to reduce risk of chipping.
- Periodic inspection of perimeter seals and drainage systems is recommended to ensure long-term performance.
LIDL, DUBLIN, IRELAND
CIRCULAR DRIVE ON GLASS WELL COVER
Drive on Glass Floor & Rooflight Specifications
Drive on Rooflight
Standard Specification
Glass Build-Up
| Outer | 82mm toughened laminate. |
| Cavity | 16mm Argon-filled cavity with warm edge spacer. |
| Middle | 6mm toughened laminated low-E coated glass. |
| Cavity | 16mm Argon-filled cavity with warm edge spacer. |
| Inner | 6mm toughened laminated low-E coated glass. |
| TOTAL unit thickness | 126mm |
Thermal & Structural Performance
| U-value (centre-pane) | 1.2 W/m2K (EN 673) |
| Impact resistance | Class 1(B)1 (BS EN 12600) |
| Weather tightness | BS EN 1279 (IGU performance, moisture ingress, gas retention) |
Options:
- Clear, tinted, or opaque finishes.
- Low-iron glass.
- Solar control glass.
Drive on Glass Floor
Standard Specification
Glass Build-Up
| 4 x 19mm heat-soaked toughened glass. |
| 3 x 2mm interlayers. |
| Total thickness: 82mm |
Structural Performance
| Uniformly distributed load (UDL) | 78 kN/m2 (EN 1991-1-1) |
| Concentrated load | 39 kN/m2 per 200 × 200 mm area |
| Deflection limit | L/250 (span dependent) |
Options:
- Clear, tinted, or opaque finishes.
- Low-iron glass.
DRIVE ON STRUCTURAL GLASS FLOORS – CITADELLA, GOZO, MALTA
20 Year Laminate Seal Guarantee
FEATURED PROJECT: CITADELLA, GOZO, MALTA
UNESCO World Heritage Site
At the Citadella in Gozo, Malta—a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site—a series of walk-on and drive-on structural glass floors and rooflights were installed as part of a sensitive restoration project. The glass installations were designed to integrate seamlessly within the historic stone architecture, allowing visitors to experience the ancient fortifications while preserving the integrity of the original fabric.
Each panel comprised quadruple-laminated, toughened structural glass with a non-slip finish, engineered to support both pedestrian and vehicular loads without compromising transparency or safety. Beneath the walk-on glass, the subterranean exhibition spaces below were visible, enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining controlled internal environments. All fixings and support structures were fabricated in marine-grade stainless steel, ensuring long-term durability in the Mediterranean climate.
The installation represents a precise balance between heritage conservation and contemporary engineering, demonstrating how modern structural glass technology can be employed to celebrate and protect historic environments.
Some of our Most Notable Heavy Duty Commercial Structural Glass Projects
CITADELLA, GOZO, MALTA
Drive on glass floors & Walk on glass floors. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
LIDL, DUBLIN
Drive on glass floors & Walk on glass floors. Viking Archaelogical Site.
CRYSTAL WALKWAY, QATAR
180 Walk on glass floor crystal display boxes & crystal clocks.
Ready to get started?
At Structural Glass Design, we specialise in creating bespoke glass solutions for both residential and commercial projects. Send us your dimensions, photos or sketches, and we’ll guide you through options, finishes and lead times.
Phone
For enquiries, call us at 0333 577 7177
What Our Clients Say
It looks amazing, it’s just inside our front door so every customer sees it on entering. It’s a real talking point.
Thank you for all your considerable help with this project, you have been first class and I will gladly forward your details & company on whenever I am asked.
Just wanted to thank you for all your help and being part of the house build. It has been an incredible journey and made many friends along the way. The end result is “Glasshouse”, something everyone involved with should be very proud of.
I was meticulous in choosing the right product for our home and having lived in the house just over a month I’ve not been disappointed.
I would highly recommend Structural glass design. Many thanks for all your help with my walk on rooflights.
Thank you all for your efforts in getting these in – Very easy to deal with and very accommodating, hopefully work together again soon!
Thanks for the great installation, it's looking fantastic as you can see from the attached.
OUR MULTI-LAMINATED RANGE of STRUCTURAL GLASS FLOORS & ROOFLIGHTS
Explore the armourglass range of structural glass
armourglass SKY
armourglass SKY
armourglass DISPLAY
armourglass DRIVE
armourglass DRIVE
Contact us today to explore how our high-specification drive on glass floors and rooflights can transform your space.