Resources
Why Choose Glass Deck Railing?
Since modern glass making was revolutionized in the 1950s, glass has been increasingly used for interior and exterior building applications due to its visibility and versatility. Glass railings are excellent examples of this, adding visibility and versatility to decks, balconies, stairways, pool enclosures, and more. Safety is a main purpose of railings and glass railings are an unobtrusive way to provide safety where you need it, whether inside or outside.
Step-by-Step Buying Guide
Measure the area(s) where you would like guard rails and/or stair rails. Sketch the layout of your project with the measurements or provide at least one photo of your project with the measurements detailed on the photo(s). For more detailed information see How to Submit Project Measurements and/or How to Measure for Stair Railing.
Glass Railing Installation Instructions
Wondering what the glass railing installation process entails? Visit this page for PDFs of our eGlass Railing system instructions.
Glass Railing Cost Comparison
While glass railing can be expensive up front, its longevity, durability, and low maintenance can make it less expensive than other railing types in the long run.
Wood railings are typically the least expensive per linear foot (about $20-$25 per LF), however, they require frequent upkeep, like painting, staining, and sanding. Even with regular maintenance, they will eventually fade, warp, splinter, rot, split, or get insect infested and need to be replaced, generally within 10-15 years. Vinyl railings are another lower cost option ($20-$40 per LF) and have the potential to last 30+ years depending on how well they are taken care of, but they tend to peel, split, or develop mildew on them within a few years.
Top Rail Comparison
All of our eGlass Railing™ systems were designed with safety in mind, but with three top rail options providing unique features and benefits, you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for function.
Our 800 Series Top Rail is our thinnest option, at just 2" wide, providing minimal view obstruction. When used as part of our eGlass Element™ post-to-post system, it can be configured to meet the needs of nearly any project layout. Add Post Cap Saddle Brackets to provide continuous support during elevation changes, like stairs and ramps, or to create a mix of post-to-post and continuous styles.
What Mounting Style is Best?
One of the most important decisions you will make concerning your glass railing project, is determining which mounting style will be best for your application. Here at eGlass Railing™, we offer three mounting styles for our glass railing systems: deck mount, fascia mount, and fascia mount without brackets. Each has advantages and disadvantages, depending on your particular project.
How to Submit Project Measurements
Select one or more of the following options to provide measurements and other project information to assist the estimators in producing an estimate. Photos of the project are very helpful in providing clarification and producing the most accurate estimate.
The estimates produced from these measurements are for initial linear foot quotes only. Upon purchase, customers will be asked to provide exact measurements following a final measurement form provided by eGlass Railing™.
How to Measure for Stair Railing
- Using the drawing below as a guide, measure the staircase.
- When measuring a stair run, do not include the nosing of the tread (the part that sticks out).
- If the staircase includes landing(s), each stair flight needs to be measured separately (as shown in the photo on the left).
- To calculate the staircase angle without an angle ruler, you can enter the rise and run into a calculator, such as the Rise and Run to Degrees Calculator.
How to Order Railing Glass
In-Stock Straight Panel Glass
eGlass Railing™ stocks straight panel glass in 18 widths, two heights (32.5” and 38.5”), and two thicknesses (1/4” and 3/8”) to fit any of our eGlass systems. These panels may also work with some Q-Railing systems*.
When you receive an estimate for an eGlass Railing™ system, it will list the glass panel sizes you need for your project. In addition, you will receive a CAD that will indicate where each panel size should fit into your railing system. Following the eGlass Railing™ installation instructions that come with your railing system, install the posts where indicated on the CAD drawing to ensure that the panels will fit correctly. This is especially important when installing a Vision system as there is less area for the clamps to securely hold the glass.
What is Gorge-Tested™?
A great aspect of living in the Pacific Northwest is being close enough to enjoy the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, an area separating Washington state from Oregon state and stretching 80 miles east of the Portland metropolitan area. Carved by the Columbia River, the Columbia River Gorge is a scenic paradise frequented by outdoor enthusiasts. It is especially popular for windsurfing and kiteboarding due to a wind tunnel effect that regularly results in sustained winds of 35 miles per hour and wind gusts that can reach 100+ miles per hour.
Transitioning from a temperate rainforest on the west end receiving an average of 100 inches of rain annually, to a dryer grassland area to the east that can see as few as 10 inches of rain each year, the Columbia River Gorge sees extreme weather, including ice storms in the winter and 100+ temperatures in the summer. These weather extremes make it an ideal environment to “gorge-test” the durability of our glass railings.
About Our Aluminum Coating
By using only the highest-quality architectural-grade powder coatings on the market, eGlass Railing™ is able to produce beautiful, durable products that stand the test of time. Certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the AAMA 2605 powder coating used by eGlass Railing™ is rigorously tested to meet or exceed performance standards, including humidity, salt-spray, and outdoor resistance.
What is Carefree Clean™ Glass?
One of the biggest concerns people have when considering glass railings is how difficult it will be to maintain the glass panels. No one wants to spend hours cleaning glass. Fortunately, here at eGlass Railing™, all of our glass panels are manufactured to be Carefree Clean™. During the manufacturing process, our glass is treated with an ultra-thin transparent coating that repels both water and oil, and protects against dirt, grime, etching, and staining.
This Carefree Clean™ coating permanently bonds to the glass and will keep your glass looking clean and clear for 10+ years. In addition, because no special cleaners are required to maintain the coating, you can keep your Carefree Clean™ glass beautifully transparent, with just a bit of liquid dish soap and water.
Glass Railing Building Codes
One of the most important things to consider when installing glass railings is the building code for your area. If you are planning to install your eGlass Railing™ system yourself, knowing the building code for your project will help you to avoid costly repairs in order to be in compliance. It can be a challenge trying to figure out what codes and standards to follow, as there are codes that address fire and electrical hazards (NFPA), codes that relate to work environments (OSHA), and codes that address accessibility for persons with disabilities (ADA), as well as model building codes (IRC and IBC) and local building codes.
Building codes are developed to protect public health and safety. They indicate the standards to which structures should be built in order to prevent illness or injury. While we have done everything we can to engineer our eGlass Railing™ products to meet model building codes, your local building codes may have different provisions to meet. Before you install your railing system, it is best to check with the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) because it is local code inspections you will need to pass.
Juliet Balcony Railing
Juliet balconies have long been popular in Europe and in cities where space is at a premium, like New York. In recent years, however, they have become more popular throughout North America. Traditional balconies often provide additional outdoor living space, making it seem that tiny Juliet balconies add little value to a home. This could not be further from the truth.
Juliet balconies come in a variety of styles, including some that create a shallow projection from the exterior of the building that may or may not be large enough to step out on. Many newer Juliet balconies involve a railing placed on the exterior of a building and have no projection at all. These railings are placed in front of sliding or inward-swinging double or single panel doors, which can be opened, letting light and air into a living space.
Cleaning Tips for Glass Railing
Let’s face it, most people would rather spend hours enjoying the outdoors, instead of maintaining the railing that provides safety to their outdoor spaces. While glass railings are not “no maintenance,” they can certainly be considered low maintenance railing systems.
Aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant, however eGlass Railing™ aluminum components have powder coating for an added layer of corrosion protection. In addition, the aluminum components have been designed with weep-holes to keep water from pooling anywhere on the system, further resisting corrosion. All eGlass Railing™ glass panels are coated with Carefree Clean™ coating, which repels water and oil and protects against scratching and staining. Every effort has been made to produce glass railing systems that take minimal time and energy to maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our railings have been engineered to meet current IRC and IBC, however, the local codes in your area may be different. Glass railings must comply with the International Building Code (IBC), requiring a minimum height of 36 inches for residential and 42 inches for commercial installations, and use tempered or laminated glass. Ensure the railing can withstand a 200-pound load, with posts spaced no more than 6 feet apart. We recommend that you check with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) first to make sure you will be in compliance with those codes before ordering. For more detailed information, check out Glass Railing Building Codes.