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Glass Fence – A Modern Construction Trend
By Anna Walter
The evolution in glass-making procedures and ease of availability has led to many changes in the construction project. Glass is now considered the fundamental building element. It is replacing other materials rapidly. New trends involving glass as the main component keep on emerging every other day. One such trend is glass fencing.
Glass fencing is making waves in residential and commercial architecture. It’s a stand-out trend and it’s definitely here to stay.
In construction and renovation projects, more builders are now inclined towards using clear glass railings and pool fencing. That’s because glass fences provide a number of advantages over traditional metal, wood, and stucco railings. And these benefits go way beyond just the aesthetics. We will discuss the different types of glass fencing and mention some of the many reasons why this trend is becoming the new standard in home development.
Table of Contents
Where Can We Use Glass Fence?
Glass fencing is all the rage these days. All commercial and residential buildings grace their spaces with glass. We will discuss some common applications of glass fences here.
Glass Pool Fencing
Pool fencing comes under the building standards in some areas. So it’s mandatory to fence your pool. Glass pool fencing adds security to the space without affecting the aesthetics in any way. Glass fences, in fact, elevate the class and style of the space.
Backyard Fencing
If you have a scenic view in your backyard and want to enjoy it to the maximum, go for glass fencing. Glass fences give an uber-classy look and feel to the home while opening the space for you to enjoy the view. Backyard glass fencing also gives a luxurious look to the space.
Balcony Fencing
Glass is the best option for balcony fencing. It elevates the home exterior and gives the impression of a larger space. Glass balcony fencing is the preferred choice of designers and architects as it adds an opulent vibe to the home exterior.
Patio and Deck Fencing
Patio and decks are a part of contemporary homes. It provides an outdoor space for enjoying the evenings and leisure time. Wooden or vinyl fencing breaks and restricts the view whereas glass patio place fencing not only opens up the space but gives you a wider view of the surrounding. You can enjoy the outdoor space in a more effective manner and relish the beauty of the view.
Type of Glass Using for Glass Fencing
Different types of glass can be used for glass fencing. However, the safety value is specially taken into consideration while choosing glass for fencing. Impact resistance and strength are the main characteristics of a glass type that qualifies for fencing. So here are the most popular ones of the available options for clear fencing.
Plexiglass
Plexiglass or acrylic glass is a clear thermoplastic that is replacing glass in many of its applications. This versatile thermoplastic has a lot of advantages over regular glass. Therefore, it is considered as an eligible prospect for glass fencing.
Pros
- Strength – As acrylic glass is a type of plastic with a lot more flexibility than glass, it is almost thirty times stronger than conventional glass. There is little to no chance of its shattering.
- Lightweight – Acrylic glass is lighter than glass which makes it easy to use and handle.
- Durability – Plexiglass doesn’t fade or wither away. With proper maintenance, it will retain its wonderful appearance for years.
- UV Resistance – Plexiglass sheet is UV resistant which makes it ideal for outdoor applications.
- Light transmission – Plexiglass allows more light to pass through tan the ordinary glass
Cons
- Prone to Scratches – Acrylic glass is more vulnerable to scratches. So you have to properly maintain it to ensure its brilliance.
- Non-Heat Resistant – Plexiglass cannot function properly in high-temperature conditions.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass has two or more panes of glass fused together with an interlayer of adhesive resin in its construction. The multi-pane construction makes laminated glass highly impact resistant. It is potentially shatterproof.
Pros
- Strength – There is no comparison to the strength value of laminated glass. It is the strongest variant there is.
- Security – Due to its shatterproof nature, laminated glass offers the highest level of safety and security value.
- Durability – The strong construction ensures a very high level of durability and service life.
- UV Protection – Laminated glass blocks off the harmful rays of the sun allowing only the beneficial light to come through.
Cons
- Cost – Laminated glass is made through a comprehensive process, so it comes at a higher price than other types of glass.
- Complicated Installation – It requires professional skills to install laminated glass. So installation labor can come at a higher price.
- Difficulty of Access – It is hard to manufacture laminated glass which makes it difficult to find laminated glass fabricators.
Tempered Glass
Tempered or toughened glass is the ultimate choice for most of the applications in our daily lives. It is made by a process of heat-strengthening followed by quick cooling. Tempered glass offers the right amount of strength and safety value complemented with fair pricing.
Pros
- Strength – Tempered glass is around 4 to 5 times stronger than ordinary glass.
- Safe to Use – Tempered glass is impact-resistant. Even if it breaks in an unlikely situation, it shatters into small harmless pieces of glass.
- Easily Available – It is highly used in everyday applications. So tempered glass is easily available in the market.
- Cost – Due to ease of availability, you can get tempered glass at a reasonable price.
Cons
No Alterations – Once the glass is tempered, you cannot make any changes to it. Even if you try to make a small hole in the glass sheet, it will shatter into pieces.
Frameless Vs Framed Glass Fencing
If your backyard has a scenic view or you wish to enclose your swimming pool in an unobtrusive manner, a glass fence is an answer for you!
Glass fencing comes in a variety of styles. However, the major choice is to pick from framed or frameless glass fencing. Both of these types have their particular sets of benefits as well as disadvantages. The ultimate choice will depend on your personal preferences and constraints.
Here is a brief comparison between the two.
Reliability
Glass fences are made up of sturdy tempered glass to ensure durability. They are effective against weather changes and harsh winds.
Framed fences are held in place with sturdy stainless steel poles. These supporting poles are usually embedded very deep down into the ground to ensure maximum stability.
Frameless glass fences are installed by embedding the spigots of frameless fences directly into the ground. For extra stability and strength, the frameless fences can also be installed into the stainless steel spigots that are cemented down into the ground.
Aesthetic Value
Glass pool fencing provides a panoramic view of the surroundings. It not only allows the swimmers to enjoy the surroundings but also enhances security by allowing you to keep an eye on the people inside the pool.
- Vertical poles are used to separate framed glass fencing. Although the effect is subtle, the
difference between each post is quite evident. You can still enjoy a clear view, it’s just that there
would be some separating poles in the view. - There are no vertical supports to separate the glass panels, so frameless glass fencing is a clear
winner in the disregard. It provides you with a complete, continuous view that is both
convenient as well as secure.
Safety Value
Both framed and frameless fences are considered a safe choice due to their sturdiness. However, there is a slight change in the glass thickness of framed and frameless fences.
- Thinner glass panels are used in the framed type. However, they still fulfill all the safety
standards. - Frameless fences feature a relatively thicker panel of glass due to their all-glass construction.
Both glass panels are extremely resilient and safe to use. They are designed to shatter into clean,
harmless, even-sized pieces in the unlikely event of breaking. This reduces the risks of injuries.
Cost
Both framed and frameless fencing costs more than their traditional alternatives. However, the wide range of benefits overshadows the cost factor of glass fencing.
- Framed fences feature a thinner glass panel. Moreover, stainless steel poles are used for
support so they cost comparatively less than frameless fencing. - Due to the all-glass structure and spigot support, frameless fencing cost more.
Which one is a better option: Framed or Frameless Fence?
There is no straightforward answer to this question. It all boils down to your personal preferences and demands. If you want to achieve an uber-luxe look, frameless fencing is the way to go. But if you want to set apparent fencing, you can go for a framed type. Both of these choices are definitely going to increase your property value.
In closing!
All things considered, glass fencing is a practical trend. Investing in glass fences will surely upgrade your living standards as well as your view. So, go for glass fencing without any hint of doubt.
If you are looking for the best quality glass for fences, head over to Fab Glass and Mirror. We not only offer premium quality products but also provide high-end installation services. Browse through the options and grace your home with the elegance of glass fences.
