The glass railings are a modern and functional solution when you want to keep the view and when you seek a clean design. For those of you who want to learn more, here are 15 things that are useful to know:
The frameless glass railings are maybe the most preferred option when it comes down to glass railing systems. They consist of aluminium profile / channel (base) and glass. They are used on terraces and balconies, also as glass fences and partitions, glass canopies, and interior railings. The aluminium profiles are the most flexible when it comes down to different types of installations as they offer floor / top, side, and underfloor mounts. If the customer wishes for it, handrails can be added on top of the glass which results in additional strength for the railing.
Another widely-spread option for systems for railings of glass is the one with point connectors or the so-called glass holders. What is specific for this type of glass railing is that it is used only for side grip (or the so-called side mount). Those types of systems are often used when we talk about railings for staircases or balconies. The glass holders that Baros Vision offers are made of stainless steel 304 or 316.
Another widely-spread option for systems for railings of glass is the one with point connectors or the so-called glass holders. What is specific for this type of glass railing is that it is used only for side grip (or the so-called side mount). Those types of systems are often used when we talk about railings for staircases or balconies. The glass holders that Baros Vision offers are made of stainless steel 304 or 316.
The third widely-used option is for glass balustrade system is again with point grip but uses posts. With this type of railing, the glass is being held by posts. They offer two types of mount – base, and side. The side mount is often used for staircases as this way the railing does not take part of the stairs, the base mount is widely used for terraces and glass canopies. The posts which we offer are hand-made and are from stainless steel.
The third widely-used option is for glass railing system is again with point grip but uses posts. With this type of railing, the glass is being held by posts. They offer two types of mount – base, and side. The side mount is often used for staircases as this way the railing does not take part of the stairs, the base mount is widely used for terraces and glass canopies. The posts which we offer are hand-made and are from stainless steel.
Something important that you have to take into consideration when planning the installation of glass railing is the local building codes for the safety of the railing. For example in some European countries, the requirements for the height of the glass of the railing is at least 105 cm high until the 7-th floor, and from the 8-th floor above it has to be at least 115 cm high (this is valid if the system is installed on floor level, the regulations are different if there is a board for example). There is also a requirement when it comes to the type of glass which is used for the railing, if we take again a 7-floor building, for example, the glass must be at least 8.8.2 tempered laminated. There are a lot of different scenarios depending on the characteristics of your project and the best thing you can do so you can be sure everything is as it should – is to ask the railing company about the local codes.
The safety and the strength of the glass railings are depending mainly on two things – the glass railing manufacturer and the installation. The materials used and the production process – both are important for the quality and strength of the glass system. But another key factor should not be overlooked – the installation of the system. You can buy the best system on the market but when the mounting process is not done right, the strength and safety of the railing will be compromised. If you are not completely sure you can do the installation yourself, we advise you to seek professional help. Most glass railing manufacturers offer or have contracts with partner companies that do the mounting of the systems.
Another important factor when you prepare for the glass railing project is the exact dimensions. When the measurements are not accurate you risk prolonging the realization time and to be subjected to additional costs. In most cases, if the customer is not sure about the accuracy, the company offering railings will send a team or person that will make the needed measurements. This will also give you the possibility to discuss if there are different options for mount if you did not do that in the preliminary conversation.
When we talk about the installation of glass railing systems, unsuitable bases for the mounting of the railing are bricks and aerated concrete slabs. This is because they are soft bases and do not offer a strong and reliable grip on the anchors and fasteners, which in turn leads to problems with the strength of the system. Bases such as concrete and cement are preferred. They provide the stability needed for the safe everyday usage of the glass railings.
As a long-term manufacturer of glass railings, we at Baros Vision use 2 main types of glass for our railing systems – laminated (triplex) and tempered-laminated (tempered triplex). The reason for the usage of these 2 types of glass is that with them we can guarantee the quality and safety of our railing systems. Using only tempered glass can be a good option in some cases, such as for a glass canopy, or for an interior railing where there will be no heavy load. On our specialized page, you can find more information about the different glass for railings.
Another advantage of using triplex is that it offers a wide range of modifications. This allows our customers to make unique and memorable combinations of railing glass. Since laminated glass (triplex) is formed by gluing 2 or more glass panels – there are many options for modifications such as combinations of colored and clear glass; 2 colored glass panels; transparent and transparent; satin finish; partial matte; digital printing, gradual satin and many more. For more information, you can visit our showroom where you will see a wide variety of glass modifications, or browse our page with modifications of the glass.
Like any type of railing, the glass one needs maintenance. But with glass railings, maintenance is minimal. It mainly consists of cleaning the glass panels, which is very easy compared to maintaining wooden or iron railings. Use a soft cloth, soap, or a little glass cleaner liquid mixed with water and that’s all you need to clean the panels when needed. It is important to mention that you should not use abrasive sponges or cloths when cleaning, as you may damage the glass surface.
The advantage of the glass railing is that it lets a large amount of light pass through. This is a perfect solution for those of you who do not want to restrict access of the light. If you use a glass railing system on a balcony or terrace, you will allow more natural light to enter your home. And with the use of interior railings with glass in the home or office, you will significantly reduce the need to use artificial light in the rooms where they are located.
Of course, there is always the option to block the outside light using high reflective glass, if that is what you are aiming for.
The composition of the laminated glass itself includes a thin adhesive layer of Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) between each of the glass panels. PVB layers provide good acoustic attenuation by stopping some of the sound waves. Frameless glass railings with solid glass panels mounted close together can be a possible solution for noise reduction, especially if your site is near busy intersections or places with heavy traffic.
One of the many applications of the glass railing is as a glass fence that blocks the wind. The biggest advantage of this application is that you keep the view of the beach, the pool, the mountain, the garden, and in general the environment by which you are surrounded. At the same time, you protect yourself from sand and any small debris that the wind carries. This is something you can’t achieve with ordinary lattice or mesh iron or wooden railings. Glass fences can block winds above 150 km / h, making them an ideal solution for sites in windy areas such as coasts or mountain areas.
Globally, construction companies are beginning to prioritize the use of environmentally friendly materials. Here comes the advantage of the glass, as it is an eco-friendly material, which automatically makes it a perfect choice for railing systems that must be environmentally friendly. The glass panels used in the railings are recyclable and chemically inert. Glass is completely safe for the environment, especially when it comes to long-term use.
Did you know that the newest particle accelerator in Lund, Sweden, uses glass railings because they fit perfectly into the project environment and are an environmentally friendly solution? You can read more about the Lund particle accelerator and where Baros Vision’s glass railing systems are mounted – in this article.
Glass railings are a great alternative to traditional iron, aluminum, and wooden railings when it comes to families with children and pets. Because the glass panels of the glass railings are installed close to each other, there are no dangerous gaps and spaces where children or pets can trap some of their limbs or, worse, pass through and fall.
If you have a small child and a railing other than a glass one, you’ve probably already had to go down the building to collect toys and objects thrown over the railing – something that is fun at first, but over time becomes a tedious activity.
The clean design, safety, and interior can play a huge role in the overall sales potential of your property. Glass railings are a modern upgrade that will surely appeal to today’s real estate buyers. Add style and luxury with the use of glass railings on terraces and balconies, staircases, swimming pools, and gardens. This will be an investment that will bring you more money in the long run!
Glass railings are one of the most popular options when choosing a new railing system. The choice of installation – floor, side, or underfloor and the wide range of modifications of the railing glass ensures that you can achieve a unique and stunning design for your project. Our advice is to work with established companies and professionals in the field to make sure that the final design will be as you imagined it.
Still not sure if glass railings are the right choice for you? Take a look at our page Why choose glass railing system?
We hope that the 15 things about glass railings you need to know were useful to you and helped you make the final decision. If you have questions about your project and want to get an expert opinion on how best to implement a glass railing system – you can contact us.
Are you interested to know which are the most frequently asked questions before customers purchase railing? Check out 8 commonly asked questions about glass railings.
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