With the arrival of summer, lots of us are spending more time outdoors on our patios and decks. If you have a deck with a stunning view or simply want to see your own landscaping then a glass deck railing may be the right choice. No doubt, you’ve seen these systems in hotels or at homes when you’ve stayed at the beach. Most obstructions are removed and they allow you to see the entire scenery – like having a window on your deck! Here are some pros and cons when considering glass railing system.
Pros: They offer a clean and contemporary look compared to other materials. Wood supports and pickets are bulky and can detract from the overall style of the home. Glass railing is a fantastic wind break so you can rest comfortably when the sun is out even if there is a strong breeze. Lastly, the railings require little maintenance compared to other materials, except for cleaning the glass.
Cons: Glass railing systems are typically more expensive to construct than wood railings due to the initial cost of materials. Most decks are on upper floors of a house which can make cleaning the outside of the glass problematic. And, while rare, birds may only see a reflection of your surroundings and mistakenly fly into the glass. In almost every case, this hurts the birds more than the glass.
Residential railings are typically made from ¼” tempered safety glass (or thicker) per code so they are unlikely to break under normal conditions. The best way to get an estimate on the cost of the railing is to sketch out a plan view of your deck and write down some dimensions. Bring it in to us and we can prepare a cost including posts, fasteners, glass, and installation.