Specialist Circular Walk-On Glass Fitted Over a Capped Well
We recently completed a specialist walk-on well glass installation in a pub restaurant area in Hungerford.
The project involved fitting a large circular glass floor panel over an original well within the pub. The well is approximately 12ft deep and has been safely capped off, allowing it to become a striking feature within the restaurant floor rather than being hidden away.
This was not a standard glass fitting job. Because the glass is located in a public restaurant area, the installation needed careful planning, accurate fabrication and a strong, well-supported seating arrangement.
The finished result looks fantastic, feels extremely solid underfoot and has already generated a lot of interest from customers.
Turning an Original Well Into a Feature
Old wells, cellars and floor voids can be difficult to deal with during refurbishments. They are often either covered over completely or left as awkward features that are hard to finish neatly.
On this project, the aim was to preserve the character of the original well while making it safe, practical and visually interesting within the newly laid floor.
To help create the finished effect, a circular mirror was placed at the base of the well. The well was also internally lit, which reflects beautifully from the mirror and gives the feature more depth when viewed through the glass.
The result is a real talking point within the pub restaurant area.
33mm Toughened and Laminated Walk-On Glass
The glass itself was a 33mm circular toughened and laminated walk-on glass panel with polished edges.
The specification included:
- 3 layers of 10mm toughened glass
- 2 interlayers at 1.5mm thick
- Polished circular edges
- Anti-slip coating embedded into the top pane
- Circular walk-on glass design
- Clear view down into the lit well below
Because the glass is fitted in a public area, an anti-slip coating was embedded into the top pane of the glass. This gives extra grip underfoot while still allowing the well below to remain visible as a feature.
The finished panel feels incredibly solid when walked on, which is exactly what you want from a glass floor installation in a pub or restaurant environment.
Custom Ring Beam by Trojan Engineering
The circular glass sits on a custom-made ring beam seat, manufactured by Trojan Engineering.
The ring beam was made to an excellent standard and was a perfect fit for the glass. It allowed for a neat and consistent 2mm gap between the glass and the frame, which gave the installation a clean, precise finish.
A protective foam layer was installed between the glass and the ring beam seat. This helps prevent the glass from sitting directly on the steel support and reduces the risk of pressure points around the edge of the panel.
This is an important detail on a walk-on glass installation, as the glass needs to be properly supported without being placed under unnecessary stress.
A Small Silicone Bead for a Clean and Serviceable Finish
A small silicone bead was applied around the edge of the glass.
This gives the installation a neat finished appearance, but it has also been done in a way that allows the glass to be lifted in the future if required.
That means the well can be accessed for cleaning, inspection or maintenance without the glass being permanently bonded into place.
This was especially important because the well is lit and visible through the glass, so it may occasionally need to be cleaned to keep it looking its best.
Specialist Walk-On Glass Installation for Pubs, Restaurants and Character Properties
This installation was completed in a pub restaurant area in Hungerford, close to the Wiltshire and West Berkshire border.
Although Handyy is based near Corsham, Wiltshire, we carry out specialist fitting work across surrounding towns and local areas where careful installation and attention to detail are required.
This type of project is a good example of a job where accuracy matters. Walk-on glass over a well, cellar opening or floor void is very different from standard decorative glass. The glass needs to be correctly specified, properly supported and fitted in a way that protects both the glass and the surrounding structure.
For this installation, the main details included:
- 33mm toughened and laminated walk-on glass
- 3 layers of 10mm toughened glass
- 2 x 1.5mm interlayers
- Polished circular glass edges
- Anti-slip coating embedded into the top pane
- Custom-made ring beam by Trojan Engineering
- Protective foam between the glass and steel support
- Small serviceable silicone bead around the edge
- Internal lighting within the well
- Circular mirror at the base of the well
- Newly laid floor surrounding the glass
The combination of the glass, lighting, mirror and new floor has turned the old well into a smart and unusual feature within the pub.
Why Walk-On Glass Needs Careful Installation
Walk-on glass needs to be treated very differently from standard glass.
It is not just about placing a piece of glass over an opening. The support, edge clearance, seating material, glass specification and final finish all matter.
On this project, the glass was heavy, circular and designed to be walked on in a public restaurant area. That meant the installation needed to be handled carefully from start to finish.
The key considerations were:
- Making sure the glass was properly seated
- Protecting the glass from direct contact with the support frame
- Keeping an even gap around the frame
- Allowing future access for cleaning
- Maintaining a clean finish with the surrounding floor
- Ensuring the finished panel felt solid underfoot
Once fitted, the glass sat beautifully within the new floor and gave a strong, confident feel when walked across.
The Finished Result
The completed walk-on well glass looks excellent.
The internal lighting brings the well to life, the mirror at the bottom helps create depth, and the circular glass panel sits neatly within the newly laid floor.
It has become a real feature in the restaurant area and has already attracted plenty of interest.
Projects like this show how original building features can be preserved and turned into something practical, safe and visually impressive.
Rather than hiding the old well, the client now has a unique feature that adds character to the pub.
FAQ: Walk-On Well Glass Installation
Is walk-on glass safe?
Yes, when it is correctly specified, supported and installed. Walk-on glass is normally made from multiple layers of toughened and laminated glass, making it very different from standard decorative glass. The support structure, seating material and edge detail all need to be considered carefully.
Why was laminated toughened glass used?
Laminated toughened glass gives strength and security. For this project, the circular panel was made from three layers of 10mm toughened glass with two 1.5mm interlayers, creating a total thickness of approximately 33mm.
Why was anti-slip coating added?
Because the glass is located in a public restaurant area, an anti-slip coating was embedded into the top pane. This helps improve grip underfoot while still allowing the lit well below to remain visible.
Why was foam used under the glass?
The foam layer helps protect the glass from direct contact with the ring beam. It also helps the glass sit more evenly on the supporting frame, reducing the risk of pressure points around the edge.
Can the glass be lifted for cleaning?
Yes. A small silicone bead was used around the edge of the glass to give a neat finish while still allowing the panel to be lifted if future cleaning, inspection or maintenance is needed.
Do you install walk-on glass for homes and commercial properties?
Handyy can help with specialist glass fitting projects including walk-on glass features, bespoke shower screens, mirrors and other feature glass installations. For unusual glass projects, photos, measurements and location details are always helpful.
Need Help With a Specialist Glass Installation?
If you have a well, floor opening, feature void, bespoke glass panel, mirror or shower screen that needs careful fitting, Handyy can help.
We work with homeowners, pubs, restaurants, builders and property owners on specialist glass fitting projects where accuracy and finish matter.
For specialist glass fitting enquiries, please send photos, measurements and your location.
WhatsApp: 07739 462855
Email: info@handyy.co.uk
Website: handyy.co.uk