Glass railings systems consist of posts, supports, top rails, and handrails that hold a glass infill in place. While these elements are standard, we at Viva Railings offer a variety of design choices that include different post profiles across our different systems, a selection of top rails and handrails, and a variety of mounting options.
But what makes a commercial glass railing system really standout as a design feature are the types of commercial railing glass available.
9 Types of Commercial Railing Glass for Your Project
Each of our commercial railing glass options can be used in your project to create a unique design that fulfills the client’s needs—whether they’re looking for superior strength, patterned glass, colored infill, or enhanced transparency.
Here are some of the options we offer:
1. Tempered Glass
Tempered glass consists of one sheet of glass that has been heated and cooled quickly, creating a center that is stronger than standard annealed glass. If tempered glass breaks, it breaks into small, pebble-like pieces that are less hazardous than the sharp shards that come from broken standard glass. Tempered glass for railings is often required in the building code and will offer superior strength and safety.
2. Laminated Glass
Laminate glass is fabricated with three layers — two layers of tempered or standard glass and a layer of clear plastic film in between. It is then treated to remove air bubbles or pockets and then heated multiple times and put under pressure to strengthen the product. If laminate glass is broken, many of the pieces will remain stuck to the plastic film, reducing the amount of loose glass that can be dangerous.
3. Monolithic Glass
Monolithic glass is made from a single, uniform piece of glass and doesn’t contain layers. There isn’t a difference between monolithic vs. tempered glass because tempered glass is a type of monolithic glass. It is actually available in three main types — acrylic, annealed, and tempered, with tempered being the appropriate glass for a commercial railing system.
Regular glass has an optical clarity of 88%, but monolithic glass is also available in a low iron glass option that has an optical clarity of 91.5%. This type of glass also reduces the green tint that comes with regular monolithic glass and is used in applications that require a higher level of visibility and transparency.
Choosing between monolithic glass vs. laminated glass will depend on the design and safety goals, and you can discuss the options with our skilled Design Assist team.
4. Patterned Glass
To achieve unique railing glass, patterned glass is digitally printed with custom designs or patterns. We offer fully customized patterned glass options that allow you to imprint your logo or image right into the glass. This can help further your company’s mission as well as achieve branding or design goals.
5. Patterned Ceramic Frit
Ceramic frit is a coating applied to the glass made from finely ground glass and color pigments. After the coating is applied, the glass is heat-treated through various processes to cure the coating. There are a variety of ceramic frit patterns that can create an aesthetic design on the railing’s glass infill.
6. Frosted Glass
Frosted glass is manufactured by applying frosted window fill to the glass infill panels. Frosted glass can be fully frosted or include patterns, logos, or images created with the film itself or with the negative space between the film. This type of glass can help control sun exposure as well as create privacy if needed.
7. Tinted Glass
By using metal oxides during the manufacturing process, glass can be tinted to a light gray color that reduces the impacts of sunlight and creates more visual separation between spaces. Our tinted glass infill options allow for visibility while controlling sunlight.
8. Bent
Our bent glass options allow you to create curved glass railing configurations. This type of infill is especially appropriate on walkways, around seating in stadiums, and on balconies to provide safety that goes where the design takes it.
9. Colored Interlayer
To create a truly unique commercial glass railing, consider our colored interlayer. For this style of glass infill, the interlayer of laminated glass is colored to create a colored glass railing. We offer a wide range of color choices that will enhance your design as well as help to control sunlight and even create additional privacy.
Consider Commercial Railing Glass for Your Project
Commercial glass railings are more than just a piece of glass.
And we offer a number of railing glass options that allow you to create the ideal design for your client. Beyond our glass offerings, we also provide a range of Glass Railing Systems with many post styles, handrails, mounting options, and top rails to choose from.
Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to see how our commercial glass railing products can meet the needs of your project.
