Wooden Glass Railings

A Complete Guide On Wooden Glass Railings

Wooden glass railings are an ideal design choice for anyone who values aesthetic appeal and safety. When looking into interior design, you will eventually run into wooden glass railings. Everyone seems to love them for one reason or the other. But before you take the leap and have one installed, it would be beneficial to learn as much as you can about them. For starters, they are expensive. And I mean expensive. They are a long-term investment, and you will see that they are the most practical option. They are incredibly safe, aesthetically appealing, and durable. So you can count on them for a long time.

Pros of Wooden Glass Railings

Designed for Safety

Before it’s turned into a railing, the glass is either laminated or tempered. The difference lies in how it responds to breakage. When laminated, the glass is layered with the material in the middle. It means in the event of breakage, only one side will shatter, and others will be safe. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is engineered to break into tiny cubes when damaged. It prevents large and sharp shards that could do a lot of damage. If you have small children in the house, this is very important to consider.

Durable and Easily Maintained

When compared to other types of railing, glass is very convenient. In addition to being safe, it doesn’t pose the same risks as different types of railing. Since a wooden glass railing has a relatively small amount of wood involved (compared to an entirely wooden railing), termites’ threat is decreased. And the glass is designed to avoid extensive water smudges. So the immediate concerns of both materials are not an issue. And because of that, these railings will easily last you for several years. So no maintenance work or repairs will be necessary unless something drastic happens, which is pretty rare because both materials are very sturdy. The glass, in particular, would hold out very well.

Opens up Space in a Room

Since glass is transparent and the wood is not intrusive, this kind of railing can make small rooms feel bigger. It’s a fascinating effect that makes your space feel open and comfortable. Not to mention more light can come through into your play, further helping the room feel cozy. The design of a wooden glass railing is typically according to the minimalist style. Unlike steel or wood (which can be quite clunky and large), these railings will not require as much space for installation.

Cons of Wooden Glass Railings

Expensive

For most people, the biggest hurdle is the price point. Due to the specialized nature of the materials, the process is relatively expensive. So even if your desired railing is very short, you will still end up paying a decent amount of money to get it done. And of course, apart from the material itself you will need to hire a well-trained installation company. They are an additional expense, and it’s essential to research who you hire. It brings me to my next point.

Finding a Proper Installation Company is Tricky

The greatest asset provided by this choice of railing is its offer of maximum safety. However, to fully take advantage of this asset, you need to do a lot of research to determine a good hire. Anyone who offers cheap service will do a poor job, more often than not, adding further expenses and concerns. You will need to thoroughly look into reviews and company experience, which can be tricky at times.

Must be Cleaned Often

It isn’t a huge cause for concern, but it can be a bit tedious and inconvenient at times. Glass does stain over time; it’s inevitable. For proper maintenance, you will need to clean the railing once or twice a week regularly. And while this can be a bit of an annoyance, there isn’t any other maintenance required. So it’s still reasonably doable.

Wooden Glass Railings and Installation

When you have determined your initial preferences, you will need to decide on an installation style. This decision is mostly an aesthetic choice, and there are no practical differences between them. Your options are as follows:
1. Clamped
2. Dadoed
Sometimes these are referred to as Grooved and Ungrooved.
A Clamped wooden glass railing will require steel clips to hold it in place. These clips will be apparent, so keep that in mind if you dislike their appearance. These clips are placed above and below the glass to apply pressure on it to stay in place.
On the other hand, Dadoed functions similarly to a frame. The glass easily fits into the gaps in the middle, and the wood borders it.

Choosing the Right Finish for Your Wooden Glass Railing

If you haven’t previously done woodworking, it can be quite overwhelming to weigh your options and determine which finish would be ideal for your space.
For a bright and soft look, you should explore lighter wood. But if you’re looking for something more substantial, then your best bet is dark hardwoods.
Even among these options, you will need to keep in mind that softwood and hardwood finishes have their traits to keep in mind, such as softwood being relatively affordable and easily damaged. Meanwhile, hardwood is much more reliable, but it’s also a great deal more expensive.
The most expensive light finishes usually make use of White Oak though there are times where Ash is used instead due to their similar prices. For an affordable option, most people opt for Hemlock.
Dark hardwood is usually a little more expensive than Hemlock, but it’s not a massive gap between their prices. However, if you want to go for something more luxurious, a Walnut finish looks especially lovely on a wooden glass railing.

Conclusion

Granted that the initial investment is demanding, you will see it pay off long term. Make sure to thoroughly research everything and compare the rates of different installers for the best value. There’s nothing quite as elegant as a wooden glass railing, so if it fits within your budget, you should opt for it. Just remember to measure the length of the staircase beforehand!