If you follow home decorating trends, you probably know that glass railings and staircases are becoming quite popular. They offer a sleek aesthetic and work well in almost any type of décor. While it might be appealing, you are probably wondering if they are safe. The short answer is, yes. The tempered glass used in residential buildings is extremely safe and reliable.

There are different types of glass to choose from that can be used in railings, stairs, balconies, and even patios.

  • Framed – This is a clear panel held in place by a frame and metal posts. It offers the benefit of no pillars for the safety of children and pets.
  • Frameless – Like it sounds, there are no borders. It is held together with posts, base screens and clamp systems. They seem ethereal and are wonderful if you want to enjoy a scenic view.
  • Tempered – Sometimes called safety glass, it is about six times stronger than conventional glass. Using thermal and chemical treatments, this is scratch-proof and more difficult to break. If damage does occur, it is designed to shatter into small but blunt pieces to minimize injury.
  • Laminated – This is a combination of glass layers joined by polyvinyl butyral resin (PVB). This offers maximum safety. If damaged, the glass will crack into a spider-web-like pattern.

When approaching a decision, you may want to keep other things in mind:

  • Thickness – Commercial railings are generally thicker than residential but the minimum thickness is 6 millimetres or a quarter of an inch.
  • Safety – Using tempered glass, these railings are quite safe for home use.
  • Privacy – The glass can be produced in a color to provide a degree of privacy and security.
  • Cost – There are a number of price ranges depending on the final choices.
  • Installation and Maintenance – A professional team will easily install your glass handrails. Glass will not rot or deteriorate. They will never need repainting or refinishing. Using stainless steel for the clamps and cable posts means rust-free durability.

Whether you decided on framed or frameless, coloured or clear, a good glass company will have a number of options available to make a glass hand railing, staircase, or balcony work for your property and fit within your budget. The unobstructed view will give the internal room the appearance of being larger. Used outdoors, it will provide hours of enjoyment. Add some panels to your balcony or patio, and you won’t need to worry about the wind and make the area more accessible, even in cooler weather.

All of this together will make your home modern and interesting and will increase the property value when you decide to sell.