glass panels on rail

[tsbrewers]

Hey all, I have been asked to do a wood rail with glass panels. I have never done it, and was hoping I could get a few tips, systems to use, etc.

I haven't seen the job yet, just got a call that they want me to come take a look, and are thinking about using glass. I did tell them I have never done one, but I would be interested in discussing it with them.

My guess from the phone call is that it has a small rake rail, and a smaller flat rail at the second floor.

Thanks,

Brew

[tjbnwi1]

This one I made up. After making everything, I had my glass supplier order the glass panels.

Take a look here if you want pre-made parts;

http://www.crlaurence.com/apps/conte.../index_us.html

Tom

[tsbrewers]

Thanks. Looks like you pretty much just used square posts/top rail, and used some stop to hold the glass in?

Brew

[tjbnwi1]

I made the posts, they are a box with a torsion rod in them for securing to the floor. The glass panels went into routed grooves in the posts, top and bottom plates.

Tom

[tsbrewers]

Thanks, that makes sense.

Brew

[Baldwin]

Etched glass panels between brass-clad moldings. Black laminate trim, oak stair and handrail and ridiculous white carpet. (I rather hate the whole thing.)

There are many ways to install glass from free-floating panels suspended on clips to picture-framed installations such as this one. There are also quite a few commercially available systems to choose from which are fully engineered and ready to install.

I believe the glass is usually 1/2" safety-tempered panels. Glass can also be formed into radius or helical bends for curved stairs. NOTE: Glass should never be "tweaked" or pushed into position (not even a tinny-tiny bit).

[e hilton]

Looks like a bordello.

And tell us what happens if you try to tweak the glass into position just a tiny tiny bit ...

[Bob scott]

Jim,

1980 just called.
It wants it's stair back. LOL.....

[Baldwin]

Good guess Bob, 1980 is probably when I did this job. Did you happen to notice those lovely upholstered walls?

A bent glass panel which almost fit perfectly was pushed slightly into position to fit the frame. Next day a very tiny crack is barely visible along the edge. Two days later the crack is an 18 inch bolt of lighting and spreading. The panel is ruined. (That was an expensive lesson)

A FEW RULES:
Glass panels must never be pushed or coaxed into position.

Glass panels must never be set in a rigid framework without flexible adhesives/glazing and clearance.

A 1/2" plate of tempered glass will develop stress cracks just as easily and quickly as an 1/8" window pane.

Contractor cost estimates for working with glass should include replacement of panels during and after the construction phase and a minimum one year guarantee. (Working with glass is not for the feint-of-heart.)

[tsbrewers]

Thanks, my sister in law is an estimater at a large commercial glass place. They are typically pretty clueless when it comes to residential though, but I will run it by her.

1/2" seems way overkill to me, but I guess a kid riding a big wheel in to a panel would be bad.

Brew

[DWBuilder]

Here's a railing we fabricated using steel posts, glass clips and 1/2" tempered glass. You would have to be careful using wood posts as there is only one fastener holding each clip to the post.

The clips are from Wagner Companies, ~$25 each,

http://www.shopwagnerb2c.com/SYSTEMS...CLIPS/GR320F.4

The clips come with a removable dowel that would normally pass through a hole in the glass to support the weight vertically. Our customer didn't want glass with holes in it, so we fabbed a support stop below each lower clip. The clips come with rubber pads for both 3/8" and 1/2" glass, so we used the spare 3/8" pads on the support stop.


Smoked Glass.jpgClear Balcony.jpgClear Glass.jpgGate.jpg

[AndyGump]

I have been involved in designing a few deck rails with glass panels around here. Unless the glass panel in question has engineering or an ESR# to back it up, cities around here will insist on 1/4" min. tempered glass for the infill, not more than 48" wide and supported 100% on all four sides of the in-fill.

Andy.

[Taylor23]

The use of glass on railing deck looks very beautiful and attractive. As it increase the light in house or shop where it is being used.But there is need of some care while using glass in this way.