Glass Railings for Decks and Patios: Enhancing Outdoor Views
As such, many building owners use framed and frameless glass railings to enhance their decks, patios, balconies, terraces, porches, and other outdoor living areas. These guardrail types offer a sleek appearance that provides an uninterrupted view of the surrounding environment.
Glass guard railings fit into the minimalist approach to design, admit more natural light, and can make any space appear bigger. In addition, these systems are safe to use and offer many more advantages.
This article highlights the benefits of using glass railings for decks and patios. It also presents the best way of using glass railing systems to enhance these platforms.
Outdoor Glass Railing Systems Benefits
Glass guardrails offer users several benefits that are worthy of consideration. If you are unsure about upgrading your outdoor spaces with glass railings, these advantages should change your mind.
Aesthetic Appeal
Nowadays, the aesthetic appeal of an outdoor space matters a lot, especially as the idea of having a minimalist approach to design and decoration becomes more popular. The right combination of glass railings can create a complementary or contrasting outlook to any balcony, deck, or outdoor stairway.
You can easily transform your rooftop lounge or patio with glass railings, offering a unique solution that lets you enjoy the outdoors while appreciating a drink or a cup of tea. Furthermore, upgrading your deck or patio with frameless glass railings can enhance your building's value, particularly if you want to sell.
Unobstructed Views and Transparency
Glass guardrails, especially frameless glass railings, can help you have an unobstructed view of the environment, allowing you to gaze into gardens, mountains, oceans, or beautiful landscapes. It allows you to relax alone or host guests on a patio or deck with minimal viewing barriers between you and the outdoor environment.
Furthermore, glass railings admit more natural light into outdoor platforms, which reduces the need for artificial light early in the morning, late in the evening, or during a cloudy day. Considering this advantage, many designers choose to use glass railing systems in garden walkways, high-rise buildings, and other outdoor platforms overlooking beautiful sceneries.
Improved Safety
Many people shy away from framed and frameless glass railings, believing these systems to be unstable and inherently unsafe. However, this assertion is further from the truth.
Properly designed and installed glass railing systems are stable and safe for use just like traditional guardrails. To ensure stability and safety, tempered or heat-strengthened laminated glass is used in guardrails as stipulated in most building codes.
In most cases, sturdy metallic support structures are used to hold the entire system in place. In addition, a combination of glass panels and metal hardware makes glass railings harder to climb, which decreases the chances of accidents by small children.
Low Maintenance
Apart from enhanced outdoor space appearance, glass railing systems’ most crucial advantage is low maintenance. Once safety glazing and corresponding glass railing hardware are in place, it will require very little maintenance.
Traditional railings usually require periodic weatherproofing or painting, especially when wood or metal is used. In addition, high-quality fixtures and fittings are mostly corrosion and rust-resistant, making glass railings ideal for coastal and poolside decks and patios.
Cleaning glass railings is usually a simple task, requiring a soft cloth, mild soap, and water. Although these systems may be expensive to install, maintenance is relatively cheaper, compensating for the initial high investment cost.
Outdoor Glass Railing Options
Most outdoor spaces can be fit with appropriate glass railings, especially along the open sides of elevated platforms that require guardrails. Here is a highlight of using framed and frameless glass railings to enhance your outdoor spaces and views.
Decks
Decks are mostly elevated outdoor spaces, allowing your family and guests to enjoy time together. As such, glass railings used for these platforms must be structurally stable and made of tempered or heat-strengthened laminated glass panels, allowing users to enjoy these spaces without fear.
These systems are usually weather-resistant, preventing rust, warping, and other forms of deterioration when exposed to tough weather conditions. On the other hand, framed, frameless, or hybrid configurations can be used to enhance the aesthetics of decks without compromising safety.
Patios
Patios are similar to decks but smaller, allowing for intimate outdoor gatherings. With the right combination of glass railings, users can enjoy a cozy outdoor space that lets in sunlight and gives a feeling of openness.
The lack of visible barriers allows most patios to appear to extend into the yard. In particular, homes and buildings with lush landscaping enhance the entire experience of having a patio with a frameless glass railing.
Terraces and Balconies
Glass railings are ideal for terraces in towns or cities. Similarly, these systems fit perfectly for balconies in high-rise buildings or urban settings.
For smaller balconies, the transparent natural glass guardrails give an impression of more space and connectivity with the environment without little to no barriers. Considering terraces offer a wider view, using glass railings gives users an uninterrupted look at the city while sitting or reclining.
Framed and frameless glass railings serve as windbreakers in windy locations, which enhances accessibility to terraces and balconies.
Rooftop Lounges
Glass guard railings are popularly used in rooftop lounges of cities, offering users an amazing 360-degree view of the skyline. Extra thick laminated tempered glass panels with heavy-duty anchoring hardware are used in such locations, giving a sturdy and safe barrier at rooftops.
When paired with appropriate lighting elements, glass guardrails, especially frameless railings, can create a glowing and sophisticated effect that elevates the atmosphere while offering a breathtaking view of the city.
Pool Areas
Many build owners use glass guard railings to enclose pool areas, which enhances the outdoor experience, especially when hosting guests. Using these barriers around pools offers a sleek and luxurious look while maintaining a high degree of safety as stipulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Furthermore, glass railing pool enclosures not only improve aesthetics but also prevent children and unauthorized individuals from accessing the area. In addition, the hardware used to hold the structure in place is mostly wear and corrosion-resistant, which reduces long-term maintenance requirements.
Walkways, Ramps, and Stairways
Outdoor walkways, ramps, and stairways quickly transform into aesthetically pleasing spaces when guarded with glass railings. The glass used in the railings creates a flow of space as users move from one level or space to another.
It eases accessibility along walkways, ramps, stairways, and similar spaces with minimal visual impediments.
Outdoor Glass Railing System Considerations
Before you invest in glass railing systems for outdoor locations, you must consider some factors:
- Glass railing system type;
- Weather resistance and durability;
- Maintenance requirements;
- Local or state building codes.
Glass Railing System Type
The two main options of glass railings to consider are framed and frameless glass railings. Framed glass railings tend to have more visible structural support compared with frameless glass railings.
However, frameless glass railing offers a sleek and aesthetically pleasing look that gives offer an aura of luxury and wealth at a premium price tag.
Weather Resistance and Durability
The weather can hurt glass railing materials, especially low-quality supplies. To ensure safety and minimize maintenance, consider investing in high-quality materials that are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.
Tempered or heat-strengthened laminate glass is durable and can withstand extreme weather and impact. In locations where sunlight is quite intense, UV-protected glazing should be used, which minimizes glass panel degradation, such as discoloration of colored panels.
Maintenance Requirements
Metal and wood railing are appealing to most users due to low cost. However, these materials require consistent maintenance to prevent rot and corrosion when used outdoors.
As such, glass railings make for excellent outdoor guardrails due to minimal maintenance requirements.
Local or State Building Codes
Different local and state building codes require specific safety regulations for glass railings. Therefore, the glass panel height and thickness can vary when used for decks, patios, stairways, pool enclosures, and rooftops.
Before you buy glass panels and other accessories, ensure you consult the Local or state building code or professional for appropriate guidance.
Conclusion
Glass railing systems can enhance any outdoor space by improving functionality and aesthetics. Considering glass railings offer uninterrupted views of the environment, framed and frameless glass railings are perfect for decks, patios, and other outdoor spaces.
In addition, these systems are safe, durable, and low maintenance compared to traditional guardrails. There are a handful of factors to consider before installing a glass railing system.
Depending on your preference, you would choose between framed, frameless glass railings, or somewhere in the middle. Next, you would have to choose glass panels and structural materials resistant to prevalent weather and durable for the intended purpose.
Finally, you must consider maintenance requirements and local or state building codes.