Patch fitting

A patch fitting is a small, strong metal clamp (usually stainless steel) that grips the corner or edge of a frameless glass panel to hold and support it with almost no visible framing — the fittings that make a frameless glass door, screen, shopfront or balustrade possible. On a frameless glass door, patch fittings at the top and bottom connect the glass to the pivots/floor spring and patch hinges, and patch lock/keeper fittings provide the locking — so the glass appears to float while the hardware does the work. Because the fittings clamp (and often bolt through) the glass, any holes and cut-outs must be made BEFORE the glass is toughened. Patch-fitted glass is sleek and modern but the fittings are structural, so they must be correctly sized, tightened and maintained (loose or corroded patch fittings on a door or balustrade are a maintenance/safety issue — see glass balustrade maintenance). A glass repair and maintenance specialist fits and services them.