Are you planning to build your dream house, or do you want to renovate your old one? Then you should definitely try glass railings, as these railing systems are gaining huge popularity in the world of interior design and modern architecture. Glass railing does not only provide your home with an outstanding appearance but also has multiple advantages and is quite easy to maintain.
Installing glass railing is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial buildings. This gives the property a modern and aesthetic look while providing you with a stunning view. Its transparency allows the light to pass through it. Even though it is made from glass, it offers you incredible safety and high functionality. But before you start to install them, there are a few important things that you should know about glass railings.
Here we will provide you with a piece of complete and detailed information such as how many types of glass railings are there, how they need to be maintained, the total budget and cost, hiring an expert for installation, and some great benefits that come with glass railings. Learning about all this vital information will help you choose the right glass railing for your house and will prevent you from spending more amount than needed on the installation process.
Type Of Glass Railing System
There are many different types of glass railings, and choosing which will be the best suited for your house or office can surely be an overwhelming task. But there’s no need to worry because beneath you will find some of the most reputed types of glass railings that you can pick from:
1. Dadoed Glass Railings
Dadoed glass railings are a type where the glass panels are attached to the top of the railing and the bottom of the base shoe. Its size is from 6 millimetres to 12 millimetres and they are secured within a wooden framework. One of the best things about the dadoed glass railings is that they do not need any other kinds of hardware or clips. This epic quality makes these glass railings even more visually attractive and plays a big role in enhancing the overall beauty of the house or office.
2. Standoff Glass Railing
Standoff glass railing is another great type in which the panels of the glass are connected with stainless steel cylinders that are round in shape and are called the standoffs. The glasses are placed vertically on the stairs and floor system, and they have holes pre-drilled in them, which is required for the standoffs to secure the glass panels. Standoff glass railing is a frameless railing with a very small amount of hardware that can be seen in this system. An important thing to remember is that this works with the fastening method, so if you want to use this type of glass railing, then you need to decide at the framing stage.
3. Clamped Glass Railing
Clamped glass railing is another type in which the glass panels are attached to the clips and mounted on either the railings or the base shoe. If you choose the clamped glass railing, then you also get the option to choose the materials, like wood or steel, of the posts. Clamped glass railing especially looks best in the curved shaped staircase railing. You can select the right hardware, as the right combination will make the glass railing more attractive and stylish.
What Kind Of Glass Is Right For Your Property?
It is good to have a property that looks visually appealing, but it is extremely important to remember not to compromise safety for attractiveness. You should always keep in mind the requirements of the building when selecting the kind of glass for your property.
Tempered Glass: This glass is well-known for being a heat-treated glass and for its epic strength. These qualities make it a highly durable glass. Tempered glass does not take damage or break easily, but when it does, it breaks into tiny cube-like pieces that are quite harmless. This makes it an excellent choice for safety purposes.
Laminated Glass: This glass is also quite strong and durable, but the best quality that laminated glass is famous for is blocking all the outside noises. When it gets hit, it does not shatter into small pieces; instead, it sticks together, and a spider web-like pattern occurs. Because of these amazing qualities, laminated glass is more costly than tempered glass.
Maintenance Of A Glass Railing
Glass railings look quite attractive, and to preserve their beauty, they need to be maintained properly. If you provide glass railings with proper maintenance from time to time, then it can even increase their lifespan. When it comes to maintenance, one of the best things about glass railings is that they require less long-term maintenance in comparison to other products that are made from materials like wood.
The main reason for this is that glass is a non-porous thing that does not let water and air pass through it, so it doesn’t get stained or rusted and is not required to be painted. Glass railings are quite easy to clean, as it only requires you to have a soft piece of cloth and some soap and water to preserve the beauty and shine of the glass. Always remember not to use a scrubber on the glass; otherwise, it will result in scratches, which will decrease the attractiveness of the glass railings.
Analyze The Cost & Make A Budget
Glass railings are more expensive than any other kind of railing. The cost of every type of glass railing is different and completely depends on where you want to install it. In addition, the hardware that will be used for the installation and the quality of the glass plays a big role in the cost of the overall project. The installation cost is also quite high. However, the low maintenance, high durability, and longevity make it all worth it.
The cost of the dadoed glass railing’s glass panels is about $290 per linear metre. If you want frameless glass, then the cost will be between $370 and $430 per metre, while custom frameless glass will be even higher, and the price will be between $680 and $760 per metre. However, if you choose between standoff glass railing or clamped glass railing, then the total cost will be higher, as there will be an additional cost of other materials and hardware that will be used for the installation. So, it is very important that you analyse the total cost and make a budget that will best suit your plan.
Hiring A Professional For Glass Railing Installation
Installing a glass railing is not a DIY (do it yourself) thing. You will need to hire a professional for this job; otherwise, you might end up causing damage to the glass or even breaking it, which will eventually result in spending more money. Hiring a professional glass railing installer will not only guarantee that your job will be done properly, but will also provide you with some valuable advice on how the glass railings should be installed to give the best appearance to your property. As they are professionals, they can install handrails and rails for stairs and glass stairs in a perfect manner. They will even suggest the best hardware with great quality that will be able to hold the glass in one place. Always remember that choosing the right material will give the best appearance to your glass railings.
Benefits Of Glass Railings
In the early days, people used to select the railings between wood and iron. However, with advancements in technology, glass railings have become a popular and attractive alternative for both residential and commercial properties. Below, you will see some great benefits of installing a glass railing.
1. Easy To Maintain
Glass railings are considered better than iron and wood as they do not get rusted, rot, or decay. Choosing tempered glass railings can be a great decision, as they are long-lasting and can withstand high temperatures and extreme weather without taking any kind of damage. It is far easier to maintain than iron and wood railings. One of the best things is that it can be cleaned quickly by simply using a glass cleaner of good quality. Just wipe the glass with a soft cloth to make it shine. If the glass gets scratched while cleaning, you can use a polish to make it look brand new.
2. Provide Open Views
Another great benefit of installing a glass railing is that it provides you with the best views. Having a wood or metal railing blocks the amazing views. Imagine having a beautiful garden or an excellent backyard, but the stunning view is getting blocked because the wooden or metal railings can surely be frustrating. However, having a tempered glass railing will allow you to see through it. This also lets the sunlight pass through it, making the room more colourful and healthier. Other than this, many people do experience that glass makes the space appear more noticeable. You even get the advantage of customising the glass according to your preferences.
3. Enhance The Value of Property
A property manager and house flippers (people who buy a property, renovate it, and then sell it for a higher amount to make a profit) are always interested in finding new ways to increase the value of the property by making it look unique and visually attractive. Adding glass railing to their property can be a great idea for them, as not only does it make the building look beautiful, but it also plays a big role in increasing the value of the property. This one-time investment can last for years. Glass railing gives a sophisticated appearance to the buildings. One of the advantages is that it makes the building appear bigger.
4. Glass Balustrades Are Durable And Strong
Glass balustrades are the name given to the frameless glass panels that operate as a barrier and provide safety from many different kinds of dangers. To offer protection, they are manufactured to be highly durable. Other than this, they have a beautiful appearance, which makes them a worthy investment. Even though they cost a little more than any other type of railing that is made from different materials like wood and metal, these glass railings can last for many years without needing much maintenance or demanding expensive cleaning. After a few years, wooden railings tend to get either pest infestation or corrosion, but glass stays in the same condition for years.
Things To Consider Before Installing Glass Railing
After learning so much about glass railing, you must consider installing it in your home or office. So, here are some things that you should consider before going ahead with the installation process.
- The hardware that’s going to be used for installing the glass railing must be strong enough to handle the load of the glass.
- You can design the glass railing according to the layout of your property. Make sure that your plan is ready in advance, from selecting the accessories to the format of the glass railing.
- If you choose to go with the traditional glass fence, then there will be no need to add a pole. However, if you prefer an outdoor location, then you need to be sure to use a metal column, as it will decrease the risk of accidents.
- When you are installing a glass railing on a multi-story building, you need to follow the guidelines and the architectural design code. Most of them suggest keeping the height between 1 metre and 1.2 metres.
In Conclusion
Here, you have gained knowledge about glass railing systems and the incredible reasons why they are so popular in today’s modern world and stylish architecture. You also learned about the types of glass railings, how different kinds of glass offer different advantages, how they need to be maintained, the importance of creating a budget and researching the cost, why it is vital to hire a professional for the task of installation, the amazing benefits they provide, and lastly, some vital things that you need to consider before installing glass railings. So, whether you are renovating your home or building a commercial property, considering all the information given above, you can use the transformative potential of these frameless glass railing systems to make your property attractive and unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is extremely important that the materials that are used for making the internal components and structural parts should be of high quality. The most common materials that are used are aluminium, stainless steel, and other types of metals that are resistant to corrosion. The reason for using these materials for making components like handrails, wedges, and fasteners is that they are very strong and highly durable, which eventually provides stability and long life to the glass railings.
Yes, the glass railing is quite strong. These glasses are manufactured by keeping the customer’s safety in mind. Most of the glasses for the railings are made by using two to three glass panels, but some use more than three panels to make them stronger. Some of them use even more than three panels. These glass panels are glued to each other to make them durable. The glass railings offer both transparency and thickness and are considered to be strong enough to withstand even the most powerful winds of a hurricane.
A gap is always left in between the glass panels so that the glass will be able to adjust according to the weather conditions. Glass expands during the summer months when the temperature increases and contracts in the winter months when the temperature decreases. It is highly recommended that there should be a gap between the glass railings of about 10 millimetres to 20 millimetres. This also makes the whole installation process easier.
The lifespan of glass railings is about fifteen to eighteen years. However, the lifespan also depends on how a person keeps their glass railings. If a person is maintaining it properly by giving it regular maintenance and proper care, then the lifespan of glass railings can increase to twenty to twenty-four years.
The standard size of a glass railing depends on the location. If a person wants to install glass railings in commercial spaces, then the standard size is about 42 inches. In the stairway sections, the most common size to be used is about 36 inches of high glass, and on the balconies, the size is between 39 inches and 42 inches.
There are several reasons why a person should use glass railings in their home. One of the best reasons is that the glass railings not only provide incredible safety, but since they are made of transparent glass, they allow an easy flow of light into the house. This amazing quality makes your house brighter. Another great reason is that it is extremely easy to maintain.
All the glass railings are tempered, and that makes them 400 times stronger than any other glass products. They are not easy to break, but even if they get broken because of some powerful force that hits directly at the glass railings, they will not shatter into tiny, sharp pieces like a drinking glass; instead, they will break into small cubical pieces that are quite harmless.
