Pool and Aquarium Glazing in Luxembourg — Large-Format Laminated Glass with Structural Calculations
A koi pond, an infinity pool, a private or professional aquarium, a zoo enclosure: the glass in a water feature is a structural element that has to take the hydrostatic pressure, stay perfectly watertight and be absolutely safe. Vitralux designs, makes and installs this specialist glazing in Luxembourg, with certified structural calculations for every project.
A rare skill — and one Vitralux has mastered
Glazing a water feature is one of the most technical jobs in the glazier's trade. The water pressure on the glass calls for rigorous sizing: the laminated build-up (the type and thickness of each ply, the nature of the interlayer), the calculation of stresses and deflections, the way the glass is restrained and how it is bonded. Every project is unique and needs a structural calculation of its own.
Vitralux commands the whole chain: technical design, supply of the special large-format laminated glass (extra-clear laminated glass with an SGP SentryGlas interlayer), transport and handling of heavy pieces, and installation with certified structural bonding (DC 993 Dow Corning) — the same structural discipline we apply to our walk-on glass floors. Our projects across Luxembourg speak for our experience in this demanding field.
SGP laminated glass: the benchmark for water features
Pool glazing is not a simple sheet of clear glass: it is a laminated build-up sized for a specific hydrostatic pressure, with safety margins certified by an independent engineering consultancy.
Extra-clear glass
Removes the green tint of standard glass: maximum transparency, a crystal-clear look, a perfect view of the water and the animals.
Laminated glass (VSG)
Several plies of glass bonded by an interlayer: if one ply breaks, the assembly stays together and watertight. Safety guaranteed.
SGP SentryGlas interlayer
DuPont's high-performance ionoplast interlayer: five times stiffer than standard PVB, resistant to moisture and temperature. The benchmark for water features.
Heat-strengthened glass
The plies are heat-strengthened (HS, EN 1863): greater resistance to impact and bending than annealed float, with a safer breakage pattern than fully toughened glass.
Certified structural calculation
Every project is covered by an FEM (finite element method) or SJ MEPLA calculation from an independent certified engineering consultancy. Stresses and deflections are verified against approved safety margins.
DC 993 bonding
The glass is bonded into its structure with two-part DC 993 adhesive from Dow Corning: the reference structural silicone for water features, certified for applications in contact with water.
Our pool and aquarium glazing projects
Large-format extra-clear heat-strengthened laminated glass with SGP
This private koi garden pond in Luxembourg shows what Vitralux can do with heavily loaded pool glazing: two large panes had to withstand the pressure of an 875 mm head of water, backed by a structural calculation certified by an independent engineering consultancy.
The safety margin is remarkable: the maximum calculated stress (5.9 N/mm²) is only 7.4% of the permissible stress (80 N/mm²). That conservative sizing guarantees absolute safety over the whole life of the pond.
| Build-up | 15+15+15 mm heat-strengthened extra-clear laminated glass with an SGP (SentryGlas) interlayer |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4,060 × 880 mm and 3,193 × 875 mm |
| Design pressure | Head of water: 875 mm — certified hydrostatic pressure |
| Engineering consultancy | Partner consultancy in Germany — FEM / SJ MEPLA calculation |
| Max calculated stress | 5.9 N/mm² against a permissible 80 N/mm² — a wide safety margin |
| Max deflection | 4 mm against a limit of 8 mm — compliant with the standards |
| Restraint | Three-sided in the concrete structure with L-profiles and DC 993 Dow Corning bonding |
| Finish | Edges ground and polished all round |
Specialist handling and a complex installation in the west of the country
This private indoor pool in the west of the country shows how demanding the logistics of large-format pool glazing can be: the installation called for specialist handling equipment — a tracked mini-crane, a trolley tilted to 45°, a ceiling-mounted rail with a winch and vacuum lifters. Vitralux covered the complete supply, the transport and the installation.
| Build-up chosen | 12+12 mm extra-clear heat-strengthened laminated glass with SGP |
|---|---|
| Option offered | 15+15 mm toughened laminated glass also offered |
| Size | 2,820 × 2,110 mm |
| Handling | Tracked mini-crane + 45° tilting trolley + ceiling rail with winch and vacuum lifters |
| Service | Complete supply + transport + installation included |
Gallery — our pool glazing projects
Crane handling, transport on vacuum lifters, setting the glass into the concrete rebate and structural bonding: here is how our large-format pool glazing jobs unfold across Luxembourg.
Which pools and water features can Vitralux glaze?
Koi ponds
Glazed garden ponds for a side-on view of the fish: panes in any size, heat-strengthened extra-clear laminated glass with SGP.
Infinity pools
A glass pool wall with an infinity-edge mirror effect: large-format glass, sized for the pressure, certified structural bonding.
Private aquariums
Glazed aquariums built into living spaces or offices: from the living room tank to bespoke architectural installations.
Professional aquariums
Aquariums for museums, restaurants and hotels: large sizes, high pressures, structural calculations mandatory.
Zoos and wildlife parks
Glazed enclosures for aquatic and semi-aquatic animals: high-strength glass with a structural study of its own.
Museums and public spaces
Pools and water features in public buildings: specific regulations, with certificates and approvals supplied.
Frequently asked questions about pool and aquarium glazing
Water pressure rises with the head of water and the area of the glass: pool glazing carries considerable forces, distributed quite differently from glazing in open air. The structural calculation works out the stresses in the glass precisely and confirms that they stay within the permissible safety margins. It also establishes the optimum thickness and build-up of the glass and the restraint it needs.
SGP (SentryGlas Plus) is an ionoplast interlayer: it is about five times stiffer than standard PVB (polyvinyl butyral), copes far better with moisture and temperature swings, and offers greater residual strength if the glass breaks. It has become the reference standard for heavily loaded applications such as water features.
Yes. DC 993 Dow Corning is a structural silicone certified for applications in contact with water, including water features stocked with fish. Because it is neutral-curing, it is safe for aquatic ecosystems. It has been used for years in professional aquariums and koi ponds all over the world.
Yes, provided the structure of the pool can take glazing: a properly sized rebate, compatible restraint profiles and access for handling heavy panes. Vitralux carries out a technical visit beforehand to assess the feasibility and adapt the project to the existing structure.
A thick laminated pool pane is very heavy — often several hundred kilograms a piece, depending on the build-up and the size. Vitralux has the specialist handling equipment this calls for: a tracked mini-crane, a winch on a rail, powered vacuum lifters and tilting trolleys for transporting and setting large, heavy panes.
More Vitralux expertise in structural glazing
Your glazed pool project in Luxembourg — technical study
Structural calculations, supply and installation: Vitralux takes on your pool glazing project from end to end.