ᐅ Glass Wall as Wind Protection – How High Should It Be? How Does Wind Behave?

Hello,

Our terrace is somewhat exposed and elevated. It can get quite windy there at times. On the main side where the wind comes from, there is a retaining wall, so a fall protection system needs to be installed there anyway (currently there is only a temporary solution).

The idea now is to install a glass panel instead of a railing. Ideally, this would serve two purposes at once: wind protection and safety.

Now the appearance comes into play, especially since this wall is located in the line of sight looking out from the living room into the distance. We don’t want to obstruct the view more than necessary. Even though it’s glass, the view will still be somewhat limited.

So the question is, how high should this glass panel be? I estimate that the minimum height for safety reasons is about 90cm (35 inches). Most panels are available with a maximum height of 180–200cm (71–79 inches). That would be too tall from an aesthetic point of view but probably the best option for wind protection.

Here’s where it gets more detailed: some panels come in heights of 100, 120, 140, or 150cm (39, 47, 55, or 59 inches), depending on the supplier. From an aesthetic perspective, 120cm (47 inches) would be a good solution, 140cm (55 inches) might still work.

Before I jump to the conclusion that 140cm (55 inches) is the best compromise—providing the highest shielding with still acceptable appearance—I would like to know how the wind behaves behind a panel like that.

I have also heard that with a taller panel, the wind can swirl strongly directly behind it and cause strong downdrafts.

The seating furniture is about 1–2m (3–6 feet) away from the glass panel.

Could someone possibly give an assessment?
- Is higher always better?
- How are these swirling effects?
- Is it pointless if the panel isn’t at least 2m (79 inches) high?

Thank you very much.

My general view is already stated here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/windschutz-Terrasse-Glas-teilsatiniert-180-hoch-windlastzone-3.24303/#post-203375 and here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/kosten-fixverglasung-mit-einem-vernünftigen-u-wert-0-7.24232/#post-202271. For a wall positioned perpendicular to the wind – and without any diffusers in front – I would expect nothing else than it being directly hit by the wind on its face and thoroughly shaken – and of course, also overflowed.

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Get inspired by beach café setups and take a tour with seating tests at different locations. A long weekend in the Netherlands on the North Sea coast – that will probably be next.

I don’t have diffusers (windbreakers) and can’t install them. Not in that location.

We’ve already dealt with the beach cafes. They all have glass walls nearly 2m (6.5 ft) high, with tables directly behind them. Tables in the second or third row have their own glass walls again.
There is a lot of wind by the sea, but it is almost a constant condition.

How about a solution with a fixed glass panel as low as possible, combined with a movable one that folds over it in windy conditions? Depending on the length that needs to be covered, this could work. Sit without wind and enjoy the view without glass.

I didn’t even know this existed. I’ll look into how much something like this costs and whether it’s reliably stable—things that move tend to wear out. But if there’s a reasonable solution for that, why not.