Should You Use Glass for Stairs and Interior Railings?

Both exterior and interior railings can add significant value to your home with their visual appeal and functionality. While exterior railings are commonly used in decks, balconies, porches, and outdoor patios, interior railings are especially useful in staircases and to allow transition from one area of a home to another.

Types of Interior Railings

There are many types of railings that you can choose from when designing your interior railings for your home space. The most popular types of railings include wood railings, metal railings, wire railings, stainless steel railings, and glass railings.

Wood Railings

Wood railings are a popular choice among DIY homeowners and new builders because of the inexpensive wood material they use. Custom wood railings can also be fabricated by professional railing suppliers to complement an elegant staircase design. They require adequate care and maintenance. They can last at least 10 years.

Metal Railings

An inexpensive way to add some style, metal interior railings usually consists of iron, steel, or powder-coated aluminum. They are strong and stylish, easier to maintain, and won’t break the bank as a homeowner.

Wire Railings

Also called cable railings, wire railings provide for an open design. The cables’ horizontal arrangement makes wire railings unique. The cables can be combined with either a wood or metal frame to compliment both a traditional and modern style. The cost of a wire railing can be comparable to that of a metal or glass railing, but with the potential to last longer.

Stainless Steel Railings

Stainless steel railings use stainless steel for their rails. They have flexible designs, use stainless steel posts and rods that can be both vertical and horizontal. Stainless steel railings may also use wire infill.

Glass Railings

They use glass panels instead of balusters for infill. Glass railings using clear glass provide a clear view but the glass panels can also have the option for decorative etchings or a color tint.

What to Consider in Choosing Interior Railings

Understanding the features, benefits, and disadvantages of the different types of railings can make you well informed before deciding to purchase.

1. Safety: You should be most concerned with safety. Consider the safety of use and local building code requirements in your area including factors such as the type of safety glass allowed when you choose railings.

2. Maintenance: Consider the maintenance needs so the railings can always look clean and new and be highly functional.

3. Budget and Cost: The money you will spend should meet your budget expectations and at the same time provide your home interior the improvement in style and function you desire.

4. Installation: The installation of railings can make or break your home improvement. Improperly installed, your railings can be an eyesore and dangerous. Get the services of an experienced railings service company.

Pros and Cons of Glass Railings

Glass is becoming one of the most popular materials for decorative construction applications. There is no doubt glass can bring the visual appeal you want from your structure such as stairs railings but is it safe and practical to use?

Here are the advantages of using glass railings for the interior of your home:

1. More Lighting: Glass panels allow natural light to flow through and reach your steps without any shadow, which can reduce the need for artificial lighting.

2. Safety: They are safe even when used in staircases. The thick tempered glass used in them is not likely to shatter or break. They also keep small children and pets from falling off the edge of the staircases. Clear steps from enhanced lighting also reduce the chances of tumbling downstairs.

3. Unrestricted View: The glass panels do not block off any view in your home interior that you want to be seen.

4. Enhanced Style: Glass railings create a modern luxurious vibe that enhances the style of your staircase and home.

5. Easy Maintenance: You only need to keep them clean to maintain their great condition at all times.

6. Environmentally Friendly: Coming from sand, glass takes nothing from the earth’s natural resources and leaves nothing during processing.

For the disadvantages, you should also consider the following:

1. Lots of Cleaning Required: If you want to keep glass railings always looking clean, transparent, and beautiful, you will need to clean them regularly. They’re not the easiest thing to clean.

2. Price: Standard balustrades such as timber, steel, and others are more affordable. With pricing on the higher end, the cost of glass railings is a tradeoff against the many benefits they provide.

3. Lack of Privacy: When compared with other opaque railings, you are fully exposed when you climb or go down the staircase.

You have many reasons to install glass railings in your home’s interior. With their sleek appearance, they offer a modern aesthetic to any style of home. The open concept feel they bring brightens up space and encourage a fresh, airy atmosphere. They also provide a visual appeal that can increase the value of your home.

Most importantly, they address the concerns on durability and safety. The tempered safety glass with polished wedges normally used in glass railings is four times stronger than regular glass. They do not warp, rot, or deteriorate; they can support your staircases for many years to come.