You may have chosen to build your home at a certain location mainly because of a spectacular view from the upstairs deck. You don't want any obstructions if you're trying to take advantage of that view on a nice summer's evening. This is why you should choose a structural glass balustrade.
Why This Type of Fence?
The beauty of a structural glass balustrade is that it doesn't need to come with any of the usual obstructions associated with a fence made from posts and railings. You don't need to worry about it being flimsy, though, as the overall design is inherently strong, as well.
The Glass Provides Strength
The difference between this version and a normal glass is that the glass itself is used not just as an infill panel, but as the component that provides the actual strength of the fixture. The glass panels themselves are thick and strong so that they can resist various loads or the tendency to bend from natural forces.
Laminated Glass Options
If you want as little obstruction as possible when you sit down to admire your view, you may choose to have a structural glass balustrade without a top handrail. In many cases this handrail section is used in order to "tie" the individual glass panels together, in order to make the structure more solid and sturdy. However, you can select a product without a top handrail so long as you use laminated glass.
This means that should a heavy or sharp object come into contact with the glass one side of it can break, but the other must still be capable of withstanding the load. In other words, the glass will not shatter, but will retain its shape.
Avoiding the Green Tint
Some people worry that the sturdier the glass and the thicker it is, the more difficult it may be to clearly see through it. In these cases there can often be a pronounced green "tint" evident in the glass, the thicker it gets. This is due to the iron content in the glass itself.
Once again, if you really want an unobstructed view then you should specify the use of "low iron" glass panels, which have a far less pronounced tint. These low iron panels only have about 10% of the iron content of regular panels, but allow for the transmission of 91% of light, compared to 83% otherwise. However, these panels do tend to be more expensive.
Learn more about your options by consulting local suppliers and contractors such as Perth Wrought Iron.
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