Simple and minimalist are the two words that define modern interior trends best.
The interior trends have shifted from rigid and heavy furniture to light and multi-purpose glass furnishings. The hardwood flooring is replaced by elegant glass flooring. Similarly, the traditional wooden rails are now considered outdated. Glass has taken over this interior segment as well. The glass railing system is a popular choice for contemporary interiors these days. Experts prefer clear glass handrails over solid wood railing systems. And we can clearly see the wisdom in this!
Glass railing systems visually enhance the interior, create an illusion of space and add value to the home. These features of glass handrails are enough to justify their widespread use. We will cover everything you need to know about the glass railing system in this blog. So follow along to make your home interior classy.
Common Places Where Glass Railings are installed
When it comes to installing the railing system, our minds first go to the stairs. Stairs, sure, are a popular place for handrails, but there are some other places in the home where the glass rails can strike a chord.
- The stairs, of course!
The railing system along the staircase is mainstream. The glass railing system not only provides strong support but also aesthetically enhances the interior. The light flows through the clear glass, highlighting the best features of your humble abode.
- The balcony; an attempt to modernize the exterior!
We generally perceive that the handrails can only be used in the interior to add support to the staircase. Well, that’s not it!
The clear glass railing system is a great shot at elevating the exterior aesthetics. A glass railing on the balcony gives an ultra-modern look and feel to the home. The sleek finish of glass rails renders an exceptional elegance that no other material can offer.
- The pool, Fence it with style!
If you have a pool in your house and want to gird it, clear glass rails are probably the best approach towards it. The glass rails encircle the pool for good without breaking the view. You can enjoy the aesthetics of the pool even with thorough fencing.
- The terrace; Flair up the house aesthetics!
Glass rails along the terrace give a sophisticated boost to the house exterior. They give a luxe touch to the exterior and uplift the overall home aesthetics.
- The patio; Make a style statement!
Traditional handrails along the patio perimeter can be an eyesore as they block off the view. The clear glass balustrades, on the contrary, open up the scene and provide a trendy feel to the patio. Install a glass railing system on the patio and enjoy your evening tea with a view!
Types of Glass Used in Glass Railing Systems
Glass is intrinsically a delicate material. While for the railing system to function properly, a strong and resilient material should be used. Can glass fill the shoes for wood or iron balustrades?
The strong variants of glass are used in the railing system to ensure strength and utility. Let’s discuss some common types of glass that are employed in the glass railing system.
- Heat-Strengthened Glass
Heat-strengthened glass is an option for the glass railing system but not a very common one.
The glass is manufactured by heating it to a very high temperature and then force cooling it to make it hard and strong. It is 2 to 3 times stronger than ordinary glass. A downside to using heat-strengthened glass is that it breaks into sharp, injurious shards of glass on a hard hit.
- Tempered Glass
Tempered or safety glass is toughened by super-heating followed by a quick cooling process. Tempered and heat-strengthened glass are somewhat similar. The only difference lies in the cooling process. For tempered glass, the cooling is done quickly to achieve higher surface compression and thus better strength value. Tempered glass is much stronger than ordinary glass. It also has a safe-break pattern which makes it a preferred choice to be used in glass railing systems. On an impact hard enough to break it, tempered glass shatters into small harmless pieces, claiming its name as the safety glass.
- Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is also considered a safety glass. It is manufactured by combining two or more panes of glass panes with an interlayer of adhesive resin. The multi-layer construction and adhesive resin make laminated glass absolutely strong and shatterproof. Its strength can be estimated by the fact that it is used for bulletproofing. It is virtually impossible to break the laminated glass. This is the reason why laminated glass is typically used in the railing system of commercial buildings.
Recommended Thickness of Glass
The glass railing system is becoming an absolute favorite of modern-day homeowners. If you are one of them and want to install glass handrails, here are some considerations for you!
- For Indoor Glass Rails
The indoor glass rails are less subjected to daily wear and tear. The weather conditions also have very little to no effect on the indoor glass rails. Therefore the typical thickness of glass for indoor rails is around a quarter inch or 6 mm. Glass cut to size or custom cut glass is employed in some projects to meet the project-specific requirements.
- For Outdoor Glass Rails
The outdoor handrails are more exposed to the changing weather conditions. Therefore thicker glass is generally used for outdoor purposes. Tempered glass cut to size with 10 mm thickness is considered suitable for outdoor glass railing systems. However, custom cut glass with more thickness is used in certain projects.
Cost of Installing a Glass Railing System
The total cost of installing a glass railing system depends on a number of factors. The glass type, railing area, labor cost and hardware, all contribute to defining the total cost. However, the average cost of railing per square foot starts from $140 and goes up to $800 depending on the type of glass and other hardware used. The total cost goes up if you are opting for custom-cut glass handrails.
Installing a glass railing system seems like a huge investment in the first place but it actually turns out to be worth it in the long run. Unlike other railing systems, glass handrails do not lose their brilliance. Glass rails are low maintenance, easy to install, and super durable. Installing a glass railing system is a win-win in all aspects so go for it and make your home oh-so-posh!
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