Glass Railings: The Perfect Blend of Safety and Style


An open stairwell with glass railings

Whether you own a residential or commercial building, if you have staircases, balconies, or open walkways, you need a railing. However, this safety need doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style. Glass railings provide both function and flair in any space they are in. Keep reading to see how.

What Are Glass Railings?

Glass railings replace traditional vertical wooden or metal balusters with glass panels. While they may still have wood or metal in the design, glass railings create seamless and unobstructed views of the surrounding space. Staircases are transformed by this sleek and modern design while decks and balconies become visual extensions of the landscape and views they offer.

Types of Glass Railings

Glass railings can be divided into two categories:

These almost seamless railings are made completely out of glass. They create a window or floating effect. Only the intersection of glass pieces can be seen from up close.

This type of railing consists of glass panels held in place by frames often made of metal or aluminum. Handrails made of metal or wood can also be added.

Types of Glass Used in Glass Railings

Both types of glass railings are usually made from one of the following types of safety glass to provide strength and resistance to blows.

This safety glass is created by controlled heating and rapid cooling of the glass during fabrication. The result is a stronger glass that, should it break, will shatter into small, pebble-like chunks rather than into sharp, pointy shards. Tempered glass is a cost-effective choice that is suitable for most residential glass railings.

An even stronger safety glass, laminated glass consists of two or more panes of tempered glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer. This creates a shatter-resistant material that holds together even when broken. Laminated glass is well designed for high-traffic areas, such as commercial buildings, and outside. In addition to impact resistance, it also offers UV protection.

More Glass Railing Options

Glass railings can be further customized to meet your unique design needs and aesthetics. In addition to frames and handrails, your choice of safety glass can also be crafted in a variety of ways, including

Find Glass Railings in Thornhill & Other Areas Around the GTA

If you want to enhance your Thornhill or GTA area property with the protection and beauty a glass railing provides, call Verrage Glass and Mirror Inc. With over 35 years of experience helping the people of Woodbridge, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Vaughan, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and the surrounding areas of the GTA with their glass needs, we have the knowledge, service, and products to keep your commercial and residential properties beautiful and functional. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you add the safety.