Glass Repair Canada is a professional glass repair, replacement, and installation company in the GTA. We have over 20 years of experience crafting and installing custom glass railings. Our team is composed of qualified, skilled, and licensed technicians, as well as custom glass experts. We’re equipped and ready to take on any custom railing project you desire. We customize and install glass handrails, staircase banisters, patio railings and more. For first-rate custom designs, glass railing installations, and customer support, there’s no better company than Glass Repair Canada.

Types of Glass Railings Toronto

When you work with Glass Repair Canada, you can choose from a variety of railing systems for your custom glass railings. The three main options we offer our customers are standoff, dadoed, and clamped systems. These systems determine how your glass railing will be installed and influence the overall design of the railing. You also have the choice between framed and frameless glass railings. Take a closer look at each railing type below:

A standoff railing uses hardware called standoffs to secure glass panels of a railing in place. Standoffs are typically cylindrical or hexagonal and can be made of stainless-steel, brass, or aluminum. The standoffs attach the glass panels to the supporting structure through pre-drilled holes. These railings have a sleek and minimalistic appearance, with unobstructed views between the glass.

A dadoed railing has a top and a bottom rail with the glass in between. The frame may be made of metal, wood, fiberboard, or PVC. Dadoed glass railings have a very clean aesthetic as no clips or standoffs are used. Having a top and bottom rail provides increased structural support, which adds the overall durability of the railing.

Clamped systems use clips or clamps to secure glass panels to the railing posts and/or bottom rail. The posts can be made of wood or metal, depending on your desired aesthetic. This system doesn’t require holes to be drilled into the glass, which improves the strength of your railing. Clamped glass railings are perfect for modern, contemporary, and minimalistic designs.

Framed glass railings hold the glass panels together with a wooden or metal frame. These railings can be look modern or more traditional depending on your material, colour, and glass choices. Framed glass railings are strong and durability with little maintenance requirements, which makes them ideal for high-traffic areas such as staircases, indoor or outdoor balconies, decks, and pool enclosures.

Frameless glass railings have unobstructed views and a sleek appearance. They can use standoffs, clamps, or anchored posts for support. Frameless glass railings are easy to maintain and blend seamlessly with nearly every interior or exterior design and décor. You may consider frameless railings for balconies, terraces, and staircases.

commercial Attractive Glass Railings in Toronto
High-Quality pool area Glass Railings

Indoor Glass Railings Toronto

Indoor glass railings can boost the aesthetic appeal of any space, whether it’s your entryway, stairwell, or upstairs banister. As an example, a custom glass stair railing help turn your staircase into a beautiful focal point in your foyer.

You could also opt for a frameless glass balustrade along a mezzanine for a simple, yet elegant addition to your existing décor. We offer various customization options for railing posts, handrails, and more. Choose from different materials and finishes ranging from black metal posts to stainless steel handrails.

Outdoor Glass Railings Toronto

Enhance your deck, patio, or balcony with quality designed and built outdoor glass railings. Crafted from high-quality materials, we guarantee your railing will withstand all kinds of weather from rain and snow to wind and sunshine. You never have to worry because the glass we use is shatter proof, ensuring your safety at all times. Our custom glass railings will improve the functionality, durability, and visual appeal of any outdoor setting. Here are some areas where you may consider installing glass railings:

Glass balcony railings offer a clear view into your front yard or backyard as well as the landscape beyond. Enjoy your morning coffee or evening tea without any barriers blocking the sunrise or sunset.

Frame your concrete, stone, or tile patio with a glass railing personalized to your unique taste and design preferences. With a patio glass railing, you can separate your seating area from the rest of your yard and add a pop of interest to the décor.

A tinted glass deck railing, frosted glass railing, or clear glass railing can be a great addition to your front or back deck. Tinted glass can provide additional privacy while clear glass can offer you clear views of the surrounding landscape.

Emergency Glass Repair & Replacement

Damaged glass may be a danger, so it’s critical to have it fixed as soon as possible. We provide 24/7 emergency glass repair services serving the GTA area, including Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Scarborough, Thornhill, Pickering, Whitby, Ajax, Innisfil, Etobicoke, Woodbridge, Oshawa, and more. Our experienced and reliable glaziers will arrive within 2 hours and fix your problem quickly and effectively.

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glass railing with wooden frame and wooden staircase

Professional Glass Railing Toronto

At Glass Repair Canada, we prioritize a smooth start to finish customization and installation process. We’re a customer-first company that’s committed to delivering a stress-free experience. You can learn more about each stage of our process by exploring the following:

We come right to your doorstep to learn about your project goals and design ideas. We will also take measurements for your new railing to ensure a perfect fit.

Sit down with our custom glass experts to discuss your glass railing needs and wants. Choose the desired style, colours, materials, and finishes for your railing all at an affordable price.

Our qualified, insured, and licensed technicians are meticulous, efficient, and completely professional. They pay special attention to detail while building and installing your custom glass railings.

We inspect our work thoroughly to ensure the highest-quality results. We give all our customers a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Before we finish a job, our team cleans the area, makes necessary touch-ups, and removes all the waste from the site.

Custom Glass Railings Toronto

To give you a better idea of all the numerous customization possibilities available to you at Glass Repair Canada, here are a few of the glass options we offer:

  • Clear Glass: Clear glass panels blend seamlessly into any style from modern and contemporary to traditional and elegant. Pair it with a black frame, dark wood railing, stainless-steel hardware, and more.
  • Frosted Glass: Frosted glass is suitable for both interior and exterior railings. When used outdoors, frosted glass can provide extra privacy on a balcony, deck, or patio.
  • Smoked Grey: A smoked glass railing is slightly tinted, appearing grey or black. This sleek appearance works well with a standoff, clamped, framed, or frameless railing systems.

Glass Railing Installation Process

Glass railings require a certified and experienced professional for the installation. If the railing is improperly installed, there is a greater risk of the glass breaking, the frame cracking, or the structure destabilizing. Every installation process can vary slightly depending on the railing system and type of glass used. The following outlines the steps to installing a glass railing with posts:

  • Configure the post layout.
  • Install the railing’s mounting brackets.
  • Put in the bottom rails and handrails.
  • The glass panels go between the posts, bottom and hand rails.
  • Secure each post by inserting and tightening all the screws.
residential glass railing with wooden and steel frame

Glass Railing Installation – Meeting Ontario Building Code

To install a glass railing, Toronto residents must first be aware of the Ontario Building Code (OBC). The OBC has various rules and regulations for the structural design of residential glass railings. This includes thickness, height, and accessibility requirements. These guidelines ensure your glass railing is designed and installed safely. All technicians, contractors, architects, and engineers involved in the design, installation, or repair of glass railings must be knowledgeable of and adhere to the OBC regulations. Here are the Ontario Building Code requirements for glass railings:

  • Residential glass panels must be at least a half an inch thick.
  • Decks and balconies that have less than a 5 ft 11-inch drop need to have 36-inch railings. If the drop is over 5 ft 11 inches, the railings must be 42 inches.
  • Staircase railings are required to be 36 inches.
  • Glass railings in single-family homes have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches.
  • Pool enclosures with glass railings must be at least 48 inches high.

Benefits of Glass Railings

When deciding if a glass railing is right for you, it can be beneficial to first review the advantages and disadvantages. Here is a list of the benefits to glass railings:

  • Tempered glass railings are less vulnerable to breaking than regular glass.
  • Exterior glass railings are weather resistant, and unlike metal or wood, glass won’t rot or rust over time.
  • As opposed to wooden balusters or metal spindles, you don’t have to worry about children or pets getting stuck in or falling through gaps in the railing.
  • A privacy glass deck railing such as one with tinted, frosted, or decorative glass panels offers more privacy than other railings.

Disadvantages of Glass Railings

Here are some disadvantages you may consider before investing in exterior or interior glass railings:

  • Clear glass railings can require more frequent cleanings to remove smudges, fingerprints, and other dirt or debris.
  • Outdoor patio glass railings can become visibly dirty more quickly than wood or metal railings.
  • Clear glass railings offer less privacy as neighbours can easily see through them.
  • Glass panels around a deck, balcony, or patio can be a hazard for wildlife such as birds.

Key Considerations When Choosing Glass Railings Toronto

Choosing to customize and install glass railings is a big decision. There are three key factors to consider before making your final decision. You can find them outlined here:

  • Budget: Before beginning any type of renovation project, it’s recommended to set a realistic budget. This budget should account for the design, materials, finishes, and installations costs.
  • Design: Every glass railing comes with its own set of pros and cons. Where you’re installing your railing will also have an influence on your final design choices. For example, indoor vs. outdoor railings and staircase vs. mezzanine railings.
  • Local Building Code: It’s important to review and understand your local building codes to ensure the glass railings you want to install are safe, durable, and functional.

Contact us today for a fixed quote or to book an appointment! A member of our team will be more than happy to assist you.

Related article: Glass Railing Installation Cost

FAQs

Yes, glass railings are a great idea that is worth your consideration. There are many benefits to glass railings, including being durable, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, low-maintenance, and weather resistant.

The cost of customizing and install glass railings varies from one project to another. Glass Repair Canada values transparency and affordability. We guarantee our customers receive high-quality results without making compromises to their vision or budget.

Yes, glass railings and completely safe for both indoors and outside. Most glass railings are made of tempered or laminated glass panels which can withstand hard impacts and heavy loads.

Yes and no. Most glass railings need to have a top rail for safety purposes. However, there are a few exceptions. Explore when a top rail is and isn’t required below.

A top rail isn’t required if:

  • The glass balusters are laminated and have been thoroughly tested to remain intact after an impact or breakage.

A top rail is required when:

  • The top rail needs to be attached to a minimum of three glass balusters.

According to the Ontario Building Code, residential glass railing panels must be half an inch thick.

Yes, Glass Repair Canada installs and customizes tempered glass railings.

Tempered and laminated glass are the best types of glass for outdoor railings.

Yes, glass railings are safe to lean on if properly installed by a professional such as Glass Repair Canada. Tempered glass railing can withstand heavy weight and pressure without breaking, cracking, or shattering. However, it’s important to remember that there’s a risk of injury if you lean over any type of railing, including glass railings.

The Ontario Building Code states that interior glass railings in single-family homes need to be a minimum of 36 inches high. Glass railings used as pool enclosures must be at least 48 inches high. Porches and balconies with less than a 5 ft 11-inch drop require 36-inch-high railings and those with a drop over 5 ft 11 inches must be 42 inches.