Staircase Balustrades: Glass or Steel?
Balustrades are often taken for granted; yet, they make it safer for people to use staircases. Glass and steel are among the various materials from which staircase balustrades are made. This article provides a few reasons why you may want to choose either of the two materials for your balustrading or to choose to combine the two materials on your staircase balustrades.
Glass
The main reason why glass is such a popular material for staircase balustrades is the fact that glass ages very slowly. Therefore, a staircase balustrade made of glass will look like it is new for a long time to come.
Of course, this is so long as the glass is well maintained. Traditionally, glass balustrades were not a common fixture in residential buildings. The average homeowner in today's society is however more stylish and more sophisticated than ever. For this reason, the classy and elegant nature of glass balustrading continues to appeal to more and more homeowners.
Steel
On the other hand, the main reason why stainless steel is a preferred material for the construction of staircase balustrades is the fact that it has a long lifespan. Unlike other traditional materials that were used for balustrading (e.g. wood) stainless steel balustrades can reasonably be expected to last for years on end without the need to be repaired or replaced as frequently.
This is because stainless steel is a sturdy material that has great impact resistance and great resistance to moisture, which are the main threats to the longevity of balustrading materials.
The Perfect Combination
The incorporation of stainless steel fixtures (such as handrails) on glass staircase balustrades is a trend that has gained immense popularity in recent years. While stainless steel balusters might have enviable durability, the individual balusters on a staircase seldom make for great aesthetics.
The combination of glass and stainless steel on staircase balustrades presents a viable solution to this problem. The glass portion of the balusters provides the aesthetic appeal while the steel elements on the balustrade serve to break the monotony of the continuous glass panels by providing a contrasting look.
Also, it is somewhat impractical to have staircase handrails made of glass when the balustrades are also made of glass. The combination of stainless steel and glass on staircase balustrades serves to improve the functionality of the balustrades while at the same time enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
So, will it be glass or steel or will it be glass and steel for your staircase balustrading? For more information about balustrades, contact the staff at a company like Tarosa Stairs Pty Ltd near you.