Thank you for this useful information!!! We are ready to install new railing on our lakefront property!

I do. I have installed glass railings and they require very little maintenance. But it all depends on what quality of glass railings you use. If you want high quality glass railings and need to enquire more then check out http://www.cplrailings.ca/faq/

In the debate between
glass and cable railing there are a couple of blatant differences.

• Cleaning- glass will require cleaning often. Cable railing requires very little maintenance. However, we do recommend cleaning your cable railing to ensure a long life.
• Air flow- glass will create a wind block. Cable railing will keep the air flowing free. Each of these can be positive or a negative depending on what you are interested in.

The similarity between the two is the unobstructed view.

• Glass offers a clear view when it is clean. When
  it is not, you will not see much beyond the glass. Cable railing in 1/8" diameter almost disappears. We offer Invisiware fittings that hide inside the post when your application allows.

We may be biased towards Ultra-tec cable railing systems, however, I
believe these points are true.

Don’t worry about the cleaning, ron1118. Go for glass railings. And why shouldn’t you when they’re elegant and provide the luxurious look you need? By the way, they’re easy to maintain if you purchase of good quality set from the right railings provider.

You can get a free quote here: https://goo.gl/Lwm26k

I was just told by a reputable stair and rail designer and manufacturer in GA that cable railing on the exterior deck of a mountain house is a bad idea because of the fluctuation of cable strength and tautness with weather changes. Do you agree with this?

There can be tightening and slackening of cables with weather changes. It's called thermal expansion/contraction. Yes, you may re-tension once or twice after season changes, but after a couple of adjustments, you'll be done adjusting. Ultra-tec fittings are very easy to adjust by the way. If it were a big deal, cable railing wouldn't be so popular!

Dan Nourse, Mgr Sales/Cust Svc at Ultra-tec

Linda - We have found that preventing cable slacking really comes down to the quality of the materials used for the posts and top rail, which provides a structural frame to sustain the tension loads required to keep the clean lines. Also, having the capability for a subsequent tension will ensure you can always tighten them if needed. We have a few product lines that we recommend in harsh weather environments to meet these needs. Feel free to reach out to us directly, as we would be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions you may have on cable railing materials. Best Regards!

Hi

If any interest to build a new glass balcony railing system with a glass floor. You can feel free to consult: Shenzhen Dragon Glass.

We are a professional glass manufacturer since 1994, we can help.