What kind of railings? Glass balustrades or metal or wooden?

[hastalavista]

Hello
I've got a big drop down from the patio to the lawn eg a metre and several small children. I want to put up railings or something and a gate to stop them falling down. Are my only options metal or wooden railings or glass balustrades? I'd prefer glass but they're really expensive. Any opinions? I need to be able to see thru the railings on to lawn to see what the kids are up to. If u have any nice pics of ur gardens pls can I see them. A few friends have had railings put on as put of their decking, but when I phone the decking people they say they only do the things as part of the whole garden decking thing. Thanks.

I’m a domestic cleaner….and personally wouldn’t go with glass especially with small children 😬 Unless you’ve got the time to clean it properly every day, or don’t mind it looking smeary and covered in little handprints. I’ve got one client who has glass balustrades along her entire landing, and they are always a swamp of little handprints, dog nose smears and dust.

But railings must also get dirty outside? Or is glass that much worse?

It’s way more visible on glass. Every little smear can be seen. Would drive me nuts 🙈

I’d be taking out shares in Windolene 😂

Metal would be nice. Stainless steel so you don't have any ongoing maintenance costs.

We’ve got a raised decking area, when it’s rebuilt I’m going for something like this.

Might be better with vertical bars if you have young kids climbing on them.

Don't get glass! It looks dirty really quickly and is hot to sit next to.

We had a metre wide planter built in front of our decking. (0.8 m drop) Out of railway sleepers. Would that be possible?

don't go with glass. apart from the dirt it's a pain if glass brakes and replacement is expensive and might not look the same as the other panels.wrought iron would be my preference, but wood can be very cost effective.

Hi
Ok thanks everyone. My toddler is a real climber and I want to see thru to the garden so I donr think planters would work right now. Thanks all

Hi. I’m curious, what balustrade did you go for in the end? Was it custom made or a kit?
I’m looking for something similar, but with vertical bars as it’s for a roof terrace. Although the architect specified a custom made product, my builder is now saying they can get an off the shelf product that’s just as good. Wondering what the difference in quality is.
Appreciate any advice you might have!

Hi went for glass balustrades. Look very nice. Havent cleaned them at all. Have withstood several kids. Went for laminated glass as very paranoid about safety but if they break I will change to strengthened glass in the future as much cheaper.

Did it via a local recommendation for a local one man band. First lot of glass he put up had imperfections in it from the factory but he replaced them. I guess it was custom made as he had to measure up. Got a stainless steel pole at the top but actually didnt need to due to strength of glass. I just wanted it to lean on.

I don't honestly know what the difference between custom made and off the shelf is. It's been up a year now and ok. Hope it lasts a good while. If it doesnt then I will post back here and let you know. Good luck

@hastalavista hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread but I'm in the same position with a drop off a patio. I've been quoted either £500 for wooden fence or £1000 for glass. I really can't make up my mind!! There's nothing I particularly want to see the other side of the drop, just a bit of stoned garden I haven't decided what to do with yet. Have you got any opinions with your experience?

Hello! We did glass a few years ago now. It looks great! Never clean it but it doesn't look particularly dirty. Went for laminated glass. How long it will last I don't know....wasn't cheap but I think it looks good! Glad we chose glass over other options. You can really see the garden. No birds have crashed into it and died or anything like that.

😆 I wouldn't have even thought about birds flying into to! Glad to hear that hasn't happened. Be more likely for the kids to go full pelt at it than any wildlife in my garden. Also, good to know that it's not another chore with cleaning it. I'm edging towards the glass option at the moment. Thanks for the info!

Good luck. Dont know about longevity though. But I do like it and it gives a lovely clear view of our massive trampoline garden.