Glass balustrades vs. wire balustrades: which should you choose?

Whether you’re a home or business owner, adding improvements to your property can come with a lot of decision-making and stress, especially when it comes to balustrades. 

If you’re not too familiar with this modern safety feature, you may just narrow your choice down to what looks the best, but there’s more to them than just how they look. 

Luckily for you, you’ve come to the experts in balustrades. Most often, it comes down to two choices: ‘Should I opt for wire balustrades or glass?’

If you’re stuck on which is better, it ultimately comes down to maintenance, safety, and aesthetics. We will help you discover which option is best for your circumstance, running through the pros and cons of glass and wire balustrades. 

What are glass balustrades?

A popular choice for many customers, glass balustrades are designed from clear glass panels fitted between metal posts.

These are typically made from toughened or laminated safety glass panels, providing unwavering strength, durability, and longevity. Often, glass balustrades are favoured for their clean lines and uninterrupted views, with various styles available:

• Frameless glass – Panels are fixed directly into a base channel or floor channel without posts, offering completely unobstructed views.

• Semi-frameless – Panels are supported by spigots or minimal fixings, often with a top handrail for extra support.

• Framed glass – Traditional option where glass panels sit within a full frame, often made from stainless steel or aluminium posts.

At WPS Handrails, all of our glass balustrades are manufactured to meet BS 6180:2011 safety standards. 

What exactly does this mean? We only use the highest-quality materials, designed to withstand typical UK weather conditions and environments, making them a smart choice for both residential and commercial properties.   

The pros of glass balustrades

When it comes to glass balustrades, they offer numerous benefits, starting with our DIY installation kits. 

Skip the professional installation fees and install your balustrade system yourself with our ready-to-install kits, including 3D CAD drawings and thorough instructions. 

But, besides the benefits you access when choosing us, what are the typical pros of glass balustrades?

1. Unobstructed views: With their beautiful glass display, these balustrades provide a clear line of sight, ideal for balconies, patios, and rooftops. 

2. More light: With clear views comes increased natural lighting, perfect for those looking to eliminate shaded areas in their garden by replacing brick walls with glass balustrades. 

3. Great wind barrier: A well-installed glass balustrade can help block wind on balconies or patios and withstand harsh weather conditions. Regardless of the circumstances, glass balustrades can maintain their polished and clean appearance. 

4. Safe and secure: For homes with small children or pets, the glass panels serve as an effective barrier against falls, especially from heights. Even if cracked, the glass is designed to break in a way that reduces harm to residents. 

5. Smart and clean appearance: Glass gives a clean, polished look that suits both traditional and modern properties, pairing well with steel, aluminium, timber, or composite decking.

6. Adds property value: Installing a glass balustrade on your property can increase its value over time, making it more appealing to potential buyers. 

The cons of glass balustrades

However, glass balustrades aren’t for everyone. It depends on what you’re looking for, how dedicated you are to maintaining it, and the overall atmosphere you’re trying to create.

1. More upkeep: While glass is polished and clear, this means that fingerprints, marks, and scratches are more visible. To keep it clean, you’ll need to maintain it regularly. 

2. Higher initial cost: Since glass balustrades are more modern and are highly sought after, they tend to cost more upfront than wire or timber options.

3. Risk of scratches or chips: Although toughened glass is very strong, it can still be scratched or chipped if hit by sharp or heavy objects, especially in high-traffic areas.

What are wire balustrades?

Unlike their glass rivals, wire balustrades are the rustic, robust design in the balustrade family. 

Manufactured from marine-grade 316 stainless steel, wire balustrades, also known as cable balustrades, feature wire cables stretched horizontally or vertically between posts. Instead of solid glass panels, the wires have small gaps between each one for an open and airy feel.

Customers can choose between horizontal or vertical posts, depending on their preference. However, horizontal wires are more popular for homes, as they reduce the risk of young children falling through the gaps. 

At WPS Handrails, our wire balustrade systems are designed to comply with UK safety standards, including BS 6180. They also come with a choice between satin polished or mirror finish. 

The pros of wire balustrades

Wire balustrades are a smart and practical choice for both homeowners and business owners. 

Their simple design can elevate any space, allowing for increased light and airflow, which creates a more spacious feel, particularly when used for staircases and mezzanines. 

1. Unobtrusive appearance: Elegant and simple, wire balustrades provide a stylish and smooth appearance without overwhelming the space.

2. Low maintenance: Once installed, wire balustrades are relatively easy to maintain. With no streaks, glass marks, or paint chips, all they need is a simple wipe and polish. Plus, the stainless steel is rust-resistant and weather-tough, so your outdoor balustrades are safe from damage. 

3. Extra airflow: Unlike solid glass panels, wire balustrades allow air to pass through freely, improving ventilation. 

4. Cost-effective: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, wire balustrades are more affordable than glass balustrades. They require less structural support, and the fittings are usually simpler and faster to install. 

The cons of wire balustrades

So, are you wondering what the downsides could be to installing wire balustrades? While they’ll always remain a great, practical choice, they might not work for every customer's needs. 

1. Less safe for children: Although the gaps are small, wire balustrades can pose a greater safety risk to small children than glass panels. Children may try to stick their hands through the wires or attempt to climb up them. For this reason, child supervision is always necessary.

2. Regular tension checks: Although they’re easier to clean, the wire ropes require periodic checks to ensure the cables remain tight. Over time, wires can stretch slightly, especially due to temperature changes or frequent leaning on the structure.

3. Can sag if poorly installed: For those attempting DIY installation, worn balustrades require careful and precise assembly to ensure the ropes are tight enough and meet UK building regulations.

Quick Comparison

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Glass is an excellent option for balconies, raised decks, staircases, and terraces if you want something that looks neat, maximises light, and has robust safety features. 

However, wire balustrades are a better choice if affordability or low maintenance are your top priorities. Now that you’ve made your choice, browse our range of professional and residential balustrades for homes and offices, starting from as little as £95 per metre!

All of our products are manufactured in-house, meaning we oversee every aspect of the manufacturing process to ensure the utmost quality. We even offer a professional fitting service for those who aren’t confident with hands-on tasks.