Whether it is your exterior porch, balcony, or the interiors, having outdoor or indoor glass railing systems can give a bold style statement to the décor. It has been a ground-breaking concept in interior designing to use glass as a key component in railing systems. Glass is a material that provides both safety and beauty to a structure, and this type of railing systems are used for both residential and commercial areas. Its flexible appearance makes it the perfect choice for traditional as well as modern style settings.
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However, other than the glass railing designs, there is some variety in materials too when it comes to choosing glass panels.
Type of Glass for Glass Balcony Railing
There are two choices when it comes to safety glass: tempered or laminated. Since wired glass has lost its safety as safety glass, these two are the only qualified &#;safety glazing materials&#; there are. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons.
1. Wired Glass
Traditional wired glass was considered a safety glass for different applications. This particular material, embedded with a mesh of steel, may have been useful for applying in skylights and elevators decades ago. But in the recent update of the National Standard of Canada, applied by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), the status of safety glass has been withdrawn from the traditional wired glass. In fact, since , the International Building Code (IBC) has specified the use of laminated, tempered or heat-strengthened glass for glass railings.
2. Tempered Glass
More popularly known as &#;invisible railings&#;, these type of glass railings have clear panels that work as an invisible picture frame to the outside scenery. That means you can simply sit back and enjoy the outdoor view of your balcony without any obstruction. It&#;s an excellent choice for people with small kids and pets on the premises, since there little space between the railing panels.
Manufacturing
A tempered glass railing is made from a number of panels that have undergone a heating and cooling process inside a tempering furnace. In this method, the glass is pre-cut and edged prior to being put inside the furnace. Afterwards, it is heated at around °F and then cooled down rapidly. This type of cooling method is known as quenching, that leaves the glass hardened and at least 4 to 5 times stronger than it was before the tempering process.
Breaking
This also makes the glass panels more durable against breaking and shattering. If they do break, the shattered pieces are rather large chunks than sharp-edged, reducing the chances of injury from them.
Additional Info: With EVA or ethylene-vinyl acetate laminated glass, the cracking pattern resembles the structure of a spider web, which prevents the glass from breaking upon impact.
Structure
According to IBC, a tempered glass panel should be at least 6 mm or ¼&#; thick and should be able to handle load requirements. Overall, a standard tempered glass panel should have 5/16&#; powder coated or stainless rail posts, and consist of 10mm thick, shatterproof panels. The steel clamp post of the glass railing should be preferably corrosion-resistant, rubber-coated stainless steel.
3. Laminated Glass
Structure
Laminated glass, in contrast, is a &#;glass sandwich&#;, that has a vinyl interlayer placed between two or more piles of glass, like in the windshield of a car. The adhesion of various interlayers is the primary reason behind the edge stability of the material. This way, the glass stays together if it gets damaged. Therefore, it is considered by a safety glazing material too.
Types
Depending on the interlayers, laminated glass can be of three types:
- SGP or Sentry Guard Plus Interlayer
- PVB or Polyvinyl Butyral
- EVA or ethylene-vinyl acetate
Use
Laminated glass is best prescribed if you prefer glass panels that are frameless. Generally, PVB is more suitable for the indoor glass stair railings because it has a chance of decaying quicker than EVA, which is more preferable for outdoor railings. Also, EVA gives a clearer lamination than PVB.
Pros
Tempered Glass
- The glass panels and the aluminum rail posts are resistant to rust even if exposed to water for a long time.
- It can withstand extreme temperature fluctuation.
- Very little maintenance is required for tempered glass panels.
- Assembling and customizing them is very easy.
Laminated Glass
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- This type of glass is 99% efficient in blocking the harmful UV rays of the sun.
- It even has a sound reduction capability.
- This impact-resistant glass can be cut and polished even after the lamination process.
- With faster lead time, they can be installed very quickly.
Cons
Tempered Glass
- Tempered glass systems do not come cheap.
- The transparency that gives you a better view also compromises the privacy of your interiors.
- You need to maintain a daily cleaning routine to keep the panel free of fingerprints and smudges.
Laminated Glass
- Laminated glass is also an expensive alternative since the manufacturing process requires a lot of steps to add several layers of the material.
- There are not many manufacturers available for this material.
- Laminated glass tends to have blemishes around the edges over time, due to the lamination process, or its compatibility with the other elements of the building, which can reduce its visual appeal.
Simply stated, if you want a strong and break-resistant glass railing, then choose tempered glass over anything else. Whereas, if you want flexibility, UV-resistance, and sound blocking, then laminated glass is the perfect choice. When looking for outdoor or indoor glass railings in Toronto, decide your criteria to find a product that will give you satisfactory service for years to come.
TYPES OF GLASS BALCONY RAILINGS
Installing glass railing is a great way to add value and a sense of luxury to any space. Many people believe that installing quality glass deck railing on their balconies, decks, patios, and porches is the simplest way to accomplish this.
Glass decking panels are used to enhance a variety of structures, including homes and commercial properties. This is because homeowners see them as a sophisticated, low-maintenance option that blends in with any exterior style and doesn&#;t require a lot of repair or upkeep.
Glass deck railing systems come in a variety of styles. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. That being said, the types listed below are some of the best options for homeowners looking to add value and beauty to their homes while also lowering maintenance costs. These are some examples:
Frameless Glass Balcony Railing
If you have a beautiful view and want to keep it uninterrupted, frameless glass deck railing systems are the way to go. These systems have glass deck panels with no frame border. This allows you to enjoy stunning views that are not obstructed by visible support structures.
As a result, a frameless glass deck railing is the preferred option for any balcony, deck, or rooftop terrace. Even better, these systems can be tailored to your specific needs. This will allow you to make the most of your observations.
Framed Glass Balcony Railings
If you have a beautiful view and want to keep it uninterrupted, frameless glass deck railing systems are the way to go. These systems have glass deck panels with no frame border. This allows you to enjoy stunning views that are not obstructed by visible support structures.
As a result, a frameless glass deck railing is the preferred option for any balcony, deck, or rooftop terrace. Even better, these systems can be tailored to your specific needs. This will allow you to make the most of your observations.
Modern Glass Balcony Railings
Modern glass balcony railings are similar to any other type of glass paneling. The only difference is that these panels are typically treated to make maintenance and cleaning easier.
Tempered Glass Balcony Railing
Tempered glass is simply glass that has been hardened with heat. A special heating and cooling process transforms ordinary pre-cut glass into panels that are more difficult to break, scratch, or otherwise damage.
Tempered glass can be up to six times stronger than regular glass. In addition, if it does break, the glass panels will shatter into small pieces rather than large chunks. This safety feature reduces the risk of injury from shards of broken glass.
Clear panels on tempered glass railings allow you to enjoy any view without distractions. This is the best option if you want a beautiful deck railing that is also safe for children and small pets. Because tempered glass railings are designed with very small gaps between the panels, small heads and limbs are less likely to become stuck.
These glass panels are also a popular choice for making unframed glass railings for commercial buildings. Inox Star Hardware, which offers a wide range of options for frameless glass panels, is the best option for you here.
STRUCTURAL GLASS BALCONY RAILINGS
Full glass balcony railings are currently one of the most popular options. These balustrade systems are installed on top of or against the fascia of a balcony floor using base shoes, glass adapters, or floor glass clamps. The infill is always glass, and the glass edge can be covered with a U-profile or U-profile tube.
A round stainless steel or wooden handrail can also be added. Handrail brackets that go between two glass panels or through the glass are used to mount these. There are numerous advantages to using a glass balustrade as a balcony fence.
The structure is very strong and transparent, allowing for a beautiful view. Do you want more privacy? Make use of colored, patterned, or frosted glass.
BALCONY RAILINGS WITH BALUSTERS
If you choose to use balusters in a balcony railing, you can also achieve transparency.
Simply combine stainless steel or aluminum baluster posts from our Q-line, Square Line, or Duo Line series with glass infill. You can fit the infills with glass clamps or spider glass adapters. But you can also opt for a different kind of infill, such as bars, cables, or stainless steel web.
This creates a modern industrial look and the result is very strong and safe.
JULIET BALCONY RAILING
Fall protection is also required for full-length inward-opening windows on the upper floors. A Juliet balcony is the name given to this type of balustrade. Private homes must be at least 80 cm tall, while apartment buildings, schools, offices, and public buildings must be at least 110 cm tall.
Glass is also becoming increasingly popular for Juliet balconies. There are numerous mounting options and styles to choose from. Easy Glass View, for example, has aluminum profiles that can be mounted on the facade, doorway, or frame. These contribute to the balcony railing being virtually invisible. A similar effect can be achieved by attaching the glass infill of a Juliet balcony to the facade.
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