The type of railing you choose for your deck can be great at providing security, but it may also block an otherwise stunning view. So, are you ready to get rid of wooden or large composite decks and rails that stand out too much, blocking your scenic views? Then, glass railing panels is the best choice for you.

Typical glass balcony railing consists of a number of glass panels that are attached to a metal railing. The metal used here is usually aluminum or stainless steel, both of which are resistant to corrosion and rust. But you can also use wooden or composite posts for a unique design. Also, the glass panels themselves are strong enough to withstand exposure to the elements over a long period of time.

Glass deck railing is a strong and durable choice that is transparent enough to give you a pristine view. Unlike wooden decking material, they don’t need constant refinishing to boost their durability. They are also strong enough to withstand strong winds, as well as adverse weather conditions.

And even better? Glass railing is a great way of bringing in a bit of style and elegance into your home. With its slick lines and modern aesthetic, glass paneling just screams chic style. If you are thinking about snagging one for yourself, here is everything you need to know to choose the right glass railing panels.

There are many different types of glass railing panels, each made to fit a wide range of tastes and preferences. These include:

With frameless glass railings, there is very little between each glass panel to block your view. This means that each panel does not have any sort of border framing it, allowing you to create a system that doesn’t have any noticeable supports. If you want to enjoy a truly unobstructed view, this is the best choice for you.

Since frameless railings need thicker glass railing panels, these systems will obviously be more expensive than other options. But if you want to enjoy an uninterrupted view, the trade-off may be worth it.

On the other hand, framed railings use visible support posts between each glass railing panel. These posts are usually wooden, aluminum, or metal. This versatility allows you to come up with interesting and creative design ideas for your deck railing.

The best part of these railing systems is that they can be installed on any type of deck surface. Whether it is wood, composite, or even concrete, you can secure framed glass railings to it safely.

Tempered glass is different from ordinary glass in a number of ways. It has been taken through a process known as “quenching” that involves heating and cooling normal glass repeatedly. In the end, this produces glass that has been hardened, is six times stronger than normal glass, and difficult to break or damage in any way.

And even if it breaks, the glass panel doesn’t break off into large glass shards that can injure you. Instead, it shatters into small, smooth pieces. This reduces the chances of getting injured, making tempered glass the best choice for anyone who wants to ensure their safety. It is a particularly good option for anyone who has small kids or pets.

Modern glass panels for decks are the perfect choice if you are going for a more radical look. These glasses are usually tinted and stained to your specifications, allowing you to come up with unique designs that add a one-of-a-kind beauty to your deck.

Installing a high-quality glass paneling for decking is the easiest way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any outdoor space. This versatile decking material can be used to enhance your deck’s beauty while making the most of any view through many different design options.

The versatility of glass panels comes mainly from the fact that it is available in a wide range of sizes. For the best options, Invisirail gives you 10mm-thick glass panels in a number of different measurements. Some of the most common ones include:

•    Invisirail 38.5″ X 67.865″ Glass Railing Panel (10mm)
•    Invisirail 38.5″ X 32.342″ Glass Railing Panel (10mm)
•    Invisirail 38.5″ X 29.342″ Glass Railing Panel (10mm)
•    Invisirail 38.5″ X 23.342″ Glass Railing Panel (10mm)

It is important to note that whatever glass panel you choose should be safety tempered and shatter resistant. Apart from that, all the edges must be polished well enough to protect people from getting cut. With glass panels, safety must always come first.

Before building your new glass deck railing, it is also important to check in with your local building authority. This will help you identify any local restrictions that could affect your project in any way. For example, most building departments require you to use tinted glass panels that match the rest of the windows in your home in order to keep birds from hitting them accidentally.

Aside from the regulations, you should also do your research to find the best glass panels for your project. In general, one of the best glass railing systems on the market right now is from Invisirail.

These are the only deck railing glass panels that can span up to six feet. Even better? There are more than 19 typical glass panel sizes, ensuring that this railing system can accommodate any deck design.

Apart from that, its glass panels are more affordable than any other in the market and each comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you are looking for decking material that doesn’t degrade over time or need any maintenance, these glass panels are the right choice for you.

And with three different types of posts – the innovative Invisipost, wood posts, and traditional posts – you can get any design look that you want.

Before picking the right glass panels for your project, it may be a good idea to check what Invisirail has to offer. This is especially important if you have a unique design that may need custom-made glass panels to implement.

When installing your new glass panel railing system, these tips can help make your work easier every step of the way:

1. Start of by power washing your deck to remove any traces of grime, mildew, mold, and any stain and sealer that may have faded over time.

Then, use a bristled push broom to apply a new coat of stain and sealer to give your deck a fresh, new look.

2. Plan the exact location for each post. You can do this by planting posts at all 90-degree angle corners. If there are any angles less than 90 degrees, you can plant your posts to one side of those corners to avoid complex notch cuts.
3. Based on the measurements you get from the post positions, get your preferred glass panels from Invisirail.

Keep in mind that you have to deduct 3” from both sides of the opening to leave enough space for your hands during installation.

4. Since glass is very heavy, it is recommended that you shouldn’t put the rail posts more than five feet apart.
5. If you are using wooden posts, use a router to create a channel to slide the glass panel into in the top and bottom rails. Usually, this channel will be ½” deep and 3/8” thick in order to support the glass panel.

Of course, if you are using a pre-made glass railing kit from Invisirail, this will already be done. And if you are going for the frameless look, you don’t need to do this step.

But you must do some extra reinforcement to ensure the glass railing is stable. When it makes sense, you can do this by installing a brace or piece of blocking under rail spans that are particularly long. This move will give your glass railing extra support.

5. Setting up a glass railing into stairs is possible, but quite difficult to do. If you are going to do this, start off by sketching the required openings on a large piece of cardboard.

Using glass railing is a great choice that preserves views beautifully. It is also a tough, sturdy decking material that is very easy to clean and maintain for a long period of time. The only downside is that, because of market fluctuations, glass can be a bit more expensive than other decking material.

The cost of glass panels truly depends on the measurement specifications for each project. Simply put, if you need thicker glass for your new glass balcony railing, then you will pay more – and vice versa. Apart from that, the price of glass as a commodity tends to fluctuate in price from time to time.

That said, it is possible to estimate the average glass deck railing cost. For each linear foot, budget at least the average glass deck railing cost will rise to about $110 to $150 per linear foot.

For the best uninterrupted outdoor views, you can’t do much better than glass railing panels. Glass panels are strong, hard to break, and very durable over long period of time. It also helps that they are super easy to clean and maintain.

Because of all these benefits, start thinking about getting the best glass panels for your next home improvement project.