A customer has requested an estimate from me to remove a 10 ft section of wood railing (post & baluster) & replace it with different posts & glass panels. I have seen metal & glass combo’s with a wood top railing but haven’t seen any wood & glass with no metal. I can design this but my question is, do I need any transition between the glass & the wood such as rubber inserts, or do I just groove the rails & set the glass in? Any other suggestions would also be helpful, as a cabinet maker/woodworker, I don’t do much with staircases & railings. As always, thanx…
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maybe deckorators.com ....
I've not done this myself, but there are some things that just make sense.
For example, the expansion factor for the glass will not be the same as for the wood, so the rubber inserts are a good idea.
Also, the groove that holds the bottom of the glass will also hold rain water, which will rot the wood (even if its treated).
And since the glass is the protective portion of the railing, it will need to be tempered. Which means that it will be HEAVY. So a groove in a 2 X 4 just won't cut the mustard.
Good luck.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
I did this once several years ago.
Seems to me I used 2x4s laid horizontally and cut other 2x stock to make stops on both sides with a sloped top on the stops to shed water. Think I also drilled holes through the horizontal 2x under where the glass would sit for drainage there as well.
Rubber blocks under the tempered glass, extra room on sides and top. One side of stops glued and nailed and the other side screwed in place once the glass was in.
Extra support block under the horizontal 2x down to the deck in the center of longer runs. Just used stops on the 4x4 posts for the end.
Made for a nice looking rail that kept the cool breezes of Lake Superior off the homeowner while still allowing them to keep the view.
Good luck,
Shoe
I did this one about a couple of weeks ago...HO did not like the short wall/gaurd over an attic stair...so I put in two panes/lites of 1/4 safty glass framed in a 2x4 wall with 1x stock as the frame. I just dado'd the center with a 5/16 rip 3/8 deep and set the glass in the frame in a fat bead of clear silicone. then trimmed it out with same type stock routed with a scoop. worked great went up quick and HO loves it.
down side....gotta have a nice and tight newl post....I cut and lagged to joist & Header but what ever works just don't want that sucker movin.
after thought I still worry about warranty issues and should I have set them on a thin foam/rubber pad? or used 3/8 or 1/2 inch glass not to mention HO has three boys two to live in said room...glass man swore it was enough. We will see.
best of luck let us know how it works.
tryin to post a pic....
thanx for the info, I would be interested in a pix...