Glass Balustrades Or Wire Balustrades – Which Is Best For A Balcony?

When designing or building a balcony, one of the key questions to consider is whether to install a glass or a wire balustrade. There are a number of factors that should play a role in this decision. Safety is one of these – the last thing you want is your family or friends to be involved in a serious accident as a result of an unsafe balcony. Fluctuations in weather are also important for an external structure, as changing wind and light conditions can have an effect.

Glass Balustrades
A sleek and modern look for balconies that are sophisticated yet practical, glass balustrades offer a number of advantages and disadvantages to be aware of:

Pro – Glass panes provide an unobstructed view from your balcony into the space below. Whether it overlooks a beautiful garden or an open plan living area, making the most of the view is a must.

Con – Those who are scared of heights may not like feeling as if there is nothing between them and a considerable fall. Some people just need the visual assurance that they are protected.

Pro – Glass panes also function as a fantastic windbreaker when used externally, helping to protect anyone on the balcony from being subjected to the full force of the wind.

Con – Children and pets can wreak havoc with the appearance of glass balustrades, as they’re prone to leaving sticky fingerprints and other marks all over the surface. They must be cleaned regularly.

Pro –There are a variety of different glasses (such as toughened) to choose from, but you can rest assured that they’re all suitable for the application, incredibly tough and difficult to break.

Con – It can be costly to have glass panes repaired if they do manage to become broken or damaged. This is because the whole pane will have to be replaced, and they can be quite large.

Wire Balustrades
Providing a minimalist aesthetic for your balcony as well as being cost effective, wire balustrades have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages:

Pro – The gaps between the wires allow a pleasant breeze to pass through the balcony, which can make for quite a comfortable atmosphere when the weather is warm and you’re looking to cool down.

Con – If you plan to use the balcony at colder times of the year or during inclement weather, you might find that the weather becomes unbearable in the small space – there is literally nothing to stop it.

Pro – Wire has a very modern appearance that helps you to further implement the minimalist look around your home without the barrier appearing completely invisible.

Con – Those with children or pets might be concerned that they’re able to climb over wire balustrades and fit through the gaps, allowing them to fall over the edge. Steps can be taken to prevent this, but it’s still a concern.

Pro – The wires are usually made from stainless steel, which is resistant to rusting, corrosion and water staining. This makes them particularly suited to external applications.

Con – Most suppliers will not allow you to install the wires vertically for safety reasons; they will only allow you to install them horizontally. If you are going for a particular look, this could ruin it.

Whilst wire and glass balustrades both offer many excellent options for your consideration, in the end it all comes down to your own personal preferences and the look you’re going for. There isn’t really a right or wrong choice for your balcony, as there are always ways to overcome any potential disadvantages, so you are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to the balustrading. Do not hesitate to seek professional advice before reaching a final decision.