Glass trends that blend sophistication and structural integrity
By Mike Mendoza
Glass is more than just a material—it's a statement of modern elegance and innovation. Commonly used to enhance the decorative appeal of a project, it also holds a structural integrity that makes it a smart choice for building design and construction, due to its versatility, durability, and contributions to sustainable building practices.
"Glass has the ability to open up spaces, maximize natural light, and create modern, minimalist looks that are in high demand,” says Chris Altringer, Director of Engineering for Minneapolis-based Sightline Commercial Solutions, a leading fabricator of architectural railing and portable-platform solutions. “Beyond its visual appeal, advancements in glass technology—from energy-efficient coatings to impact resistance and soundproofing—bring significant value to projects and allow designers and builders to push boundaries and rethink what’s possible in modern construction."
With decades of experience, Altringer’s team has collaborated with customers nationwide to design, engineer, fabricate, and install glass-railing systems for a variety of needs. The following are six trends shaping the future of glass in architectural applications:
1. Frameless
As its name implies, frameless glass railing delivers the visual appeal of glass without the need for vertical posts. Ideal for balconies, staircases, and other elevated areas where maintaining visual continuity is desired, the minimalist design optimizes views while also performing a key safety function.
“Our frameless glass system can be customized with various glass types, thicknesses, and interlayers, and integrated into an aluminum base shoe to create cohesive designs that are as aesthetically pleasing to look at as they are functional,” says Altringer.
At the PGA Tour Global Home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Altringer’s team engineered more than 2,500 linear feet of frameless glass railing featured in the Grand Atrium and across the exterior balconies. The glass panels and sleek, streamlined hardware help bring the facility’s indoor-outdoor design concept to life by enhancing the openness and modernity of the space and allowing natural light to saturate all levels, inspiring collaboration and innovation.
2. Curved
Curved glass is rapidly becoming a hallmark of modern architecture because it merges the artistic expression of fluid, uninterrupted lines with practical functionality. As designers lean into this trend, it offers a captivating way to transform ordinary structures into eye-catching features that maintain the fundamental safety requirements needed for any project.
“Curved glass delivers a sleek, more sophisticated finish and ever-changing dimensions that make it as much a piece of art as it is a key structural component,” says Jon Chase, Sightline’s Chief Engineering Officer.
The artistic nature of curved-glass railing is on full display in Gulfport, Miss., where more than 2,000 feet of it, including frameless glass railing, was installed for a multimodal Tram Bridge. For this high-traffic installation, the system was custom-engineered with a triple pane of double-laminated glass, ensuring the railing can withstand the strong wind loads characteristic of the nearby Gulf of Mexico. To further reduce maintenance concerns, the glass was treated with Neat+, a specialty coating that renders the glass a conductive surface capable of repelling dust particles, minimizing the frequency of required cleanings.
3. Integrated LED
LED railing enhances the ambiance and safety of any environment by adding elegance and guiding navigation. With multiple mounting options and color choices, these components can be discreetly integrated into top caps and handrails, ensuring that any lighting remains subtle without exposing the underlying mechanics.
“Our LED system stands out because we offer it as a turnkey solution where the railing and lighting are installed simultaneously in-house, eliminating the need for multiple suppliers,” Altringer says.
Whether in illuminating stadiums or academic campuses, the integration of LED railing plays a key role in creating visually striking, well-lit environments and facilitating safety. Staircases leading to and from the upper and lower bowl seating levels at Hayward Field are adorned with these specialty railings to guide fans to their seats. Similarly, LED lighting accentuates much of the interior handrail applications at both Amazon University and Sacred Heart University to showcase ornate stairways and overlooks.
4. Etching and Frosting
Etching and frosting are two techniques commonly used to add visually striking designs, decorative elements, and branding to glass installations. Etching involves the use of abrasive materials or chemicals to design intricate patterns, logos, and text to be permanently embedded into the glass, whereas frosted or patterned interlayers create a variety of visuals to add privacy, highlight specific colors, or even add custom logos. Curved and etched glass rail can be found at Fiserv Forum, where the home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks features opaque glass panels that enhance its aesthetic appeal and functionality by offering privacy to select areas while allowing natural light to flow throughout the space.
“Dressing up glass with designs and colors created by either of these techniques goes a long way in bringing individuality to any project,” says Chase.
5. Daylighting
There’s no denying that daylighting—the harvesting and distribution of natural light—continues to emerge as a key design element for commercial buildings. As an increasing number of businesses recognize the many health, energy, and environmental benefits daylighting offers, designers and engineers are looking for new ways to let the light in.
Windows and skylights remain the first and most obvious daylighting choices for commercial buildings, but other architectural elements can enhance the impact and contribute considerable benefits. One such option is glass railing. When used on stairways, overlooks, and walkways, glass railing can play a key role in facilitating light infiltration. As part of an overall integrated design, or a retrofit, it can go a long way toward opening a space and enhancing the ambiance and safety of environments ranging from healthcare and educational settings to sports complexes and office spaces.
“The David A. Tepper Quadrangle at Carnegie Mellon University is a great example of a building intentionally designed to harness the power of daylighting,” says Tony Barnes, who works with Chase and Altringer as Director of Structural Engineering. “Open from floor to ceiling, the design of the space was intentionally created to offer an environment for collaboration and interconnection. Its modern configuration, enhanced throughout by frameless glass railing and topped off by a glass roof, emphasizes open space with an abundance of natural light for improving the well-being of the students and faculty while decreasing stress levels.”
6. Low-Iron
Low-iron glass is becoming a popular choice for feature spaces where clarity and transparency are paramount. By reducing the iron content that gives standard glass a green tint, low-iron glass offers a crisper, more color-neutral appearance. This makes it ideal for applications where architectural elements, such as the grand lobby staircase and railings at nexAir’s headquarters, are meant to stand out or enhance the overall aesthetic. The ability to integrate low-iron glass into designs helps architects and designers achieve the clean, contemporary look that’s increasingly in demand for high-profile projects.
From design to delivery, a knowledgeable systems fabricator with in-house engineering capabilities can prove to be an invaluable resource by fostering greater communication, assuring code compliance, and overseeing quality control. Particularly when glass railings are being considered, architects and glaziers should enlist the help and expertise of a qualified manufacturer at the beginning of design planning to best understand what’s possible and what’s required for an optimal outcome. With a good supply partner, glaziers can confidently take advantage of the increased demand for glass in today’s commercial arena to grow their business and bottom line.
Mike Mendoza is Director of Business Development at Sightline Commercial Solutions. He can be reached at mmendoza@sightlinecommercial.com.