Patch fitting vs spider fitting: which for my project?
Use patch fittings for frameless doors and partitions, where the glass is supported at its edges and corners; use spider fittings for façades, glass walls and canopies, where the glass is fixed at points through drilled holes. Many projects use both — patch fittings on the entrance door, spiders on the glass wall around it.
| Feature | Patch fitting | Spider fitting |
|---|---|---|
| What it holds | A corner or edge of a door or panel | The corners of a glass pane, at drilled holes |
| Glass preparation | Often clamps the edge with no holes; some models need cut-outs | Holes are drilled in the glass before it is toughened |
| Typical use | Frameless doors, fixed side panels, partitions | Structural façades, glass walls, canopies |
| Carries | The weight and swing of a door | The glass's own weight and wind load, at points |
| Who specifies it | Usually the door supplier or installer | The project engineer, for the glass build-up and loads |