Railing News

Pros and Cons of Glass Railing Systems

Glass Railings | November 10, 2021

With so many options for deck railing systems, it can be difficult to determine which style is right for your home and your needs. While aluminum picket railing and cable railing are common choices for most homes, glass railing systems are becoming an increasingly popular choice. As leading providers of frameless and framed glass railing systems, the team at Vista Railing Systems understands the appeal of these products, but we also know that they are not for everyone. That is why our team has compiled a list of the pros and cons of glass railing systems to help you determine if they are the right choice for your needs.

Learn how to choose a glass deck railing system.

Pros

Some advantages of frameless and framed glass railing systems include:

Exceptional Visual Appeal

Glass railings offer a clean and contemporary look that can complement the design of nearly any home. This enhances curb appeal, makes a great impression on guests, and increases the value of your property.

Unobstructed Views

Though picket railing systems provide solid visibility, they cannot match the transparency of a glass railing system. If your deck or patio features a beautiful view, glass is an excellent way to ensure that view is preserved and unobstructed.

Different Options for Your Needs

Glass railing systems are available in framed and frameless options based on your needs and preferences. Both options are also available with a variety of different glass panel sizes based on the dimensions of your deck, allowing you to choose the perfect option for your space.

Easy Installation

Every glass railing solution from Vista Railing Systems is designed for easy installation. Posts with pre-attached brackets allow for quick installation and a professional finish, letting you spend less time working and more time enjoying your view.

Durability

Though most people think of glass as fragile and easy to crack, this is not the case for glass railing systems. Our glass railing systems are constructed from thick tempered glass, making it extremely unlikely to break or crack under everyday stressors and use.

Cons

Some potential drawbacks or disadvantages of glass railing systems include:

A Slightly Higher Price

Glass railing systems are a bit more expensive than aluminum picket railings and cable railing systems, resulting in a higher initial cost. It is worth noting that the exceptional durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and increased property value tends to offset this increased price.

Cable Railing is generally more expensive than glass. There would be some deck configurations where glass is more expensive, but those are somewhat rare.

Maintenance and Cleaning Requirements

Just like windows, glass railings need to be cleaned on the inside and outside to keep them looking their best. Depending on your typical weather conditions, glass railing systems may need to be cleaned often based on how spotless you want the panels to be.

To learn more about our glass railing systems and other railing products, get in touch with the team at Vista Railing Systems. We can be reached by call or text at 1-800-667-8247 and will work with you to determine the perfect solution for your needs.


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We are Washago Timber Mart and we've been a stocking dealer for nearly 15 years. Vista Railings are the absolute #1 best choice when it comes to Aluminum & Glass Railing Systems.

Chris Denne
Washago Timber Mart

James is wonderful! He continuously supports us and our Customers by ensuring that we receive our stock promptly and efficiently. He helps in rectifying issues that arise and at times he is known to personally drop off product either to our store or job sites to make sure we over deliver to our Customers! We appreciate you James and your team for all of your support!!

Rona Filsinger

The BEST railing in Canada… Customer Service is amazing. Thanks Team Vista the look of Vista railing is a beautiful sleek design it compliments any home and definitely increases the value of your home.

Brad Vermolen
Castle Niagara Building Centre

Top notch, sturdy and easy to install railing. Always a great experience dealing with James, Dwayne and Jim. From product knowledge, to solving any issues, they are always eager to help and on stand-by… Great working with them.

Mr Duncan

Vista has been a dream to work with, the program makes life so much easier and efficient to do quotes. Dwayne, Jim and the rest of the team I have dealt with are always willing to answer questions and go the extra mile to help fix any issues or getting pieces and parts to us promptly.

Matt Walker

We love working with the Vista Team! HF Smith Lumber in Cookstown, Ontario has been a proud stocking dealer since day one, carrying their four top colours. Vista’s quoting program is super easy to use and saves us a ton of time. The sales team is fantastic – always friendly, quick to help, and great to work with! We also love seeing the new products they continue to add. It’s exciting to expand our offerings and keep things fresh for our customers! Keep up the great work

Kim Ytsma
HF Smith Lumber

I purchase many different types of items in the building industry and have been at all levels from putting away lumber, customer service management and purchasing at wholesale level. The Vista railing company by far has been the best company to deal with in my entire 41 years in the industry. It’s just unbelievable the support and quality they produce from all levels — from manufacturing, pulling the product, design team and of course the sales support. Railing is a very difficult item for some yards to sell due to the complexity, but Vista makes it real easy with the least complicated quoting system, the Vista planner.
Thank you Team Vista for all you do for me and the industry!!

Randy Muentener