Things To Consider Before Getting Glass Railings

glass railings Chicago on the home's staircase

Glass is the most popular choice of railing for modern homes. It is an excellent alternative to wooden handrails and spindles and has many advantages. Glass adds beauty to a home, makes the space feel bigger and allows light to flow through it. It also adds value to a property and can be installed safely when designed and put in place by a professional. Here are 5 things to consider when thinking about glass railing for your home:

Glass Railings’ Types

You have a variety of options when installing glass railing. Consider the different types, and think about how they fit into the style and feel of your home. They are categorized into three main categories: dadoed, standoff, and clamped.

Glass Safety

To ensure safety, it’s best to install tempered glass or laminated glass in your home.

Tempered glass is heat-treated to increase its strength and make it more resistant to shattering. If it does break, the pieces will be smaller and less dangerous than those created by regular glass. Laminated glass consists of two panes of glass bonded together with an interlayer of plastic; this makes it stronger than ordinary glass and less likely to break into dangerous shards. In case of breakage, only one pane shatters while the other remains intact.

Required Maintenance

Glass railings Chicago generally require less long term maintenance than wood. However, you should consider the day-to-day maintenance involved with keeping it clean. If you live an active lifestyle, soap and water are all you need for this task to keep your railings looking its best.