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Glass Railings with black aluminum frames and posts

Glass vs. Picket Railings: Choosing The Best Option For Your Home

Your home is an expression of your personality, preferences, and sense of style. So it only makes sense that you’d want to customize your home and outdoor space exactly the way you want it. At Century Railings, we offer both glass railings and picket railings, so you can enjoy your view in a way that’s both stylish and secure.

When choosing the best option for your home, the process can feel overwhelming — especially since both feature their own unique set of advantages and considerations.

This blog post covers the primary factors you should consider when deciding between glass railings vs picket railings for your home. We’ll cover everything from aesthetics and cost, to installation and maintenance. Let’s get into it!

glass railings with mounting posts in a beautiful property in Summerland, BC

Glass vs. Picket: Aesthetic Appeal

Looks matter — especially when it comes to curating the desired aesthetic for your outdoor space. While both our Glass and Picket railing options come with their own unique appeal, there are a few key factors that may inspire your decision making.

Glass Railings:

Known for their sleek appearance, Glass Railings are the “go-to” when looking to achieve a more modern, contemporary, and minimalistic design. They’re also a beautiful way to add elegance to your property, while allowing for maximum views.

At Century Railings, we offer both framed and frameless glass railing systems. Framed glass railings are the more common choice, and feature clear glass panels held in place by a frame. Because the frames are made with aluminum, they boast both a beautiful finish and a highly durable structure. 

Frameless glass railings are an excellent choice if you’re looking to maximize visibility of your property without obstruction. This style features clear glass panels with no bordering, making them the ideal compliment for balconies, pools, rooftops and beyond. Our scenic and classic glass railings offer a safe and code-compliant solution for both residential and commercial spaces.

New home with White & Black Picket Railing on the deck and outdoor staircase

Picket Railings:

If you love a timeless and classic look with a bit more privacy, picket railings are sure to deliver. This style is known for creating a traditional, rustic type aesthetic. Homes that feature a country, farm-house, or vintage appeal would likely benefit from this kind of railing.

Versatility also adds to the aesthetic appeal of this railing. With many colours and sizes to choose from, you have the freedom to customize to achieve the look you really want.

If you live in an area with very strong winds, consider that picket railings can resonate in high winds and give off an audible humming noise. In these areas, glass railings can serve the dual purpose of preventing noise and acting as a wind wall for your patio.

Installation & Maintenance: a DIY Dream

There’s few things worse than the stress of a home reno. Your home should be your safe space — not grounds for a construction nightmare. That’s why we’ve designed both our glass and picket railings for quick and easy installations. Both options come as a DIY kit, making installation simple, fast, and painless for both contractors and homeowners.

Maintenance wise, both glass and picket options are incredibly easy to care for. While picket fences can accumulate dirt, leaves, any anything else the wind might blow your way, you can easily clean picket railings with a quick hose down. A glass railing system may require more frequent cleaning with mild soap & water to remove pollen, smudging or handprints.

Overall, the upkeep is quite minimal for both picket and glass railings. With some regular weekly attention, your railings are sure to last a long time.

Pros & Cons: How to Choose The Right Railing For You

Ultimately, deciding which railing is best for you comes down to personal preference. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind that can help you discern between a glass or picket option.

Picket railings could be considered the more practical choice, as it tends to be more cost-effective while providing a strong sense of security. Glass railings on the other hand, tend to be slightly more costly, and could be cause for privacy concerns.

With glass railings, the design makes it more difficult for intruders to enter, whereas picket railings could come with a risk of climbing. And let’s not forget the unmatched views that come with glass railings, whereas picket railings may limit the visual openness of a space.

Picket stair and glass deck railing combo with Century's versatile aluminum railing posts
A combination of a glass deck railing with a picket stair railing.

Get the Best of Both Worlds: Combine Glass & Picket Railings

Our versatile deck railing posts let you combine glass railing and picket railing sections so you can get the best of both worlds. Some property owners use a glass railing on their balcony with pickets running down the stairs.

In Summary

At the end of the day, the choice you make between glass and picket railings is your own. The best and most informed decisions should always come from a personal place, and a deep knowing of where you place your value. When choosing which Century Railing option is best for you, you’ll want to consider your personal aesthetic preferences, cost, maintenance, and features that match your lifestyle.

Like the old saying goes: “home is where the heart is”. And there’s nothing quite like coming home where you can kick up your feet, relax, and find comfort in your own personal sanctuary. If you need help getting started on your home project, click here to find a Century Aluminum Homes dealer near you.

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