More and more homeowners are beginning to consider introducing glass railing in their house in place of traditional balustrades carved out of steel or timber.
Glass railings carry a distinctive appearance and character, which other styles of metal or wooden bars cannot reproduce. The sleek designing and the ability to see beyond imparts them a form that is unique to them.
While installing glass railings might seem like a challenging task to accomplish, they are relatively simple as long as you keep certain essential things in mind when deployment starts.
No matter which part of the globe you belong to, when it comes to the glass railing installation, the steps are uniform all across. Additionally, since glass railings constitute wide panels of glass, there is a lot that needs to consider before you start the project.
If you’re going through a professional interior designing and architectural team, you can stay rest assured that all the safety parameters are duly taken into account, but if you decide to play solo, then there are a few critical things that you need to be aware of.
For contemporary houses and businesses, glass railing offers a sturdy alternative. Incorporating glass railings to your construction endeavor can provide you with that added touch of zest, while easily converting them into a central feature of the house.
Importance of the Right Glass Type
Whenever you’re planning to utilize a glass staircase, always be certain it’s safety glass. Standard glass sheets used in windows are not sturdy enough to be used as panes in a glass railing.
Typically, the form of glass used in glass railings is stiffened glass, which is about four times tougher than the standard option. There’s also a laminated variant that includes a polyvinyl interlayer sheet— similar to the one used in windscreens of the automobiles.
Glass railing is a safe choice for both residential and business requirements, but only when it is constructed out a suitable type of glass. Hence, when you think of installing glass balustrade, it is crucial to review the regional criteria for each of the following facets:
- Glass type and its thickness
- Height of the railing
- Handrails and Top-rails
- Mounting Facades
Many individuals have had some uncanny glass incidents, which make them a little worried about the safety of railing glass. When by mistake a glass mug or a container slips out of your hands, you’ve probably seen the countless sharp fragments that it gets divided into.
However, the type of glass that is used in the production of utensils, bottles, cups and dinner sets is entirely different from the one used in the manufacturing of the panes used in the railings.
All glass railing structures are made of treated glass having increased tensile strength and protection against cracking or breaking down into shards— the precise words used for them are tempered and laminated glass.
Glass Railing | Recommended Height & Thickness
- Height
Typical glass balustrade measurements meet the same standards as other railings regulated by the IBC (International Building Code) and the IRC (International Residential Code).
- 42″ glass railing height is considered standard for commercial applications.
- 36″ glass railing height on stairways in deemed to be typical to the residential spaces
- 39″ – 42″ glass railing height is considered appropriate for the galleries or to cater to the other similar applications.
Additionally, if you want your glass railing to act as a swimming pool barrier, regulations require you to go for at least 48″ tall balustrades. It’s always wise to check with your local building authorities to know the appropriate height necessary for your project before purchasing your glass.
- Thickness
Nevertheless, the thickness of a railing construction material is not regulated by IBC or IRC codes, either. Some tempered glass ranges in depths of either 3⁄8 “or 1⁄2″ although most of the laminated versions are available in 9/16 ” thickness.
Most of the manufacturing companies prefer 3⁄8″, especially when the glass panel is framed and is going to be planted inside the metallic or wooden cases offering vertical support to the whole arrangement.
On the contrary, if you intend to use tempered glass panes within a ‘frameless’ structure, (which translates into no vertical enforcement between panels,) you will need to upgrade to 1⁄2″ tempered variant at least.
Framed Glass Railing vs Frameless Glass Railing
- Frameless glass railing
This ought to be your best solution when you need to boast of a scenic view from your balcony— Frameless glass railing incorporates glass deck panels that have no border to the frame them.
There are no visible, supportive arrangements that will impede your direct vision. Owing to their seamless nature, Frameless glass railings happen to be the most popular deployment choice for patios, decks, and balconies.
- Framed glass railing
Most of the residents who want to retain some aestheticism in their decor prefer to go with the framed glass railing systems. The only distinction between framed and frameless glass railings is the apparent framing of the window panels, combined with handrails and wire posts made of stainless steel.
These might appear in elegant and stylish design but are a preferred choice if you have kids and pets at home and want to reduce the likelihood of injuries while trying to fit in with the innovations in the field of contemporary architecture.
Glass Railing Options
Some of the popular glass railing options include:
- Glass Hand Railing
- Glass Deck Railing
- Glass Balustrade
- Stair Glass Hand Railing
- Framed glass railing
- Frameless glass railing
Cleaning & Maintenance Requirements For Glass Railings
- Cleaning dust: Get hold of soft and clean linen cloth and gently wipe it over the glass— your railing will look as good as new.
- Removing bird droppings: Make use of a disposable fabric and dip it in a dash of white vinegar; use the dampened cloth to wipe away the bird droppings.
- Grime: A clean and dampened cloth is enough to take care of glass grime issues. For the tough marks, use ammonia-based or an apple cider vinegar solution with water (in 1:2 ratio) to get rid of the ugly grime stains on your glass railings.