Most people associate glass staircases with stylish, modern office buildings, but if you want to make your house stylish and modern too, nothing is stopping you from installing one in your home.
The contemporary look is starting to take over from period features as being the most popular style of interior design. In fact, according to YPulse, more than a third (34 per cent) of 13-39-year-olds would say their home looks modern.
This means it is the style favoured most by Gen Z and Millennials, whether they simply have a minimalistic house, monochromatic colours, or neutral paint.
As well as “natural materials, neutral or earthy colours, and the elimination of unnecessary detailing”, contemporary interior design includes glass staircases, so if you’re planning to update your home with one this year, here are some styles to consider.
Embedded glass staircases
The majority of properties are built with wooden staircases, even new builds. However, by making a small change to take out the spindles and swapping them with a glass balustrade, you can completely change the space.
A glass panel is placed between the handrail and baserail for a sleek look. This means there is no need for brackets, giving a more streamlined appearance and letting more light flood the house.
As the glass panels are large, there is not as much wood breaking it up, making the place look much bigger and brighter.
Homeowners might even want to add lights underneath the baserail, as this looks great during the evening, adding a warmth to the glass and lighting up both the upstairs and downstairs hallways so they feel cosier and safer.
Bracket glass staircases
Another option is to fit a bracket glass staircase, in which the glass panels are smaller and held in place with brackets.
This looks good on both closed and cut string staircases, with inline bracketed glass being used for the former and stepped bracket glass used for the latter.
Closed string staircases with clamped glass creates a smooth design, enabling the wooden baserail and handrail to catch the eye too.
However, cut string staircases are also popular, as this places more of an emphasis on the glass, making it appear as though the bannister is floating mid-air.
Both give the staircase a light and airy feel, while the wide choice of brackets means homeowners can choose one that fits in with other fixtures around the house.
Glass spindles
If you’re renovating your staircase, you do not have to necessarily opt for large glass panels. Instead, you could create a more dramatic look by having glass spindles fitted.
Everyone is familiar with wooden spindles on a staircase, but it is far rarer to see glass ones, making your interior design stand out.
There is no need for brackets with a glass spindle staircase, as each one can be fitted into the wooden bannister.
At the same time, many homeowners love this look because it not only gives a contemporary feel to their house, but the edge of the glass spindles sparkle in the light, adding some glimmer to the hallway.
This makes the glass spindles shimmer much like crystal, making your home look far more luxurious and elegant than it did with its old wooden staircase.
Frameless glass staircase
For a truly modern look, consider getting a frameless glass staircase installed. A thick glass panel is used for the balustrade, ensuring it is strong enough to not require the wooden posts for support.
The absence of timber means light is allowed to flood the area even more, creating an extension between the downstairs and upstairs without the visual being broken by a wooden bannister.
However, it is not possible to fit a handrail with this style of staircase, so this is worth thinking about if you regularly have children or elderly people in your home, as they may need more support going up and down the stairs by having something to hold on to.
Black or grey glass
One of the main advantages of having a glass staircase is that it brightens up the hallway as it is transparent. However, some people prefer to have grey or black balustrades instead.
This helps to make the house feel more cutting edge, particularly when teamed with a bracketed bannister. A frameless staircase with dark-coloured glass also gives off a very contemporary feel.
What are the advantages of having a glass staircase?
Many people want to change their staircase because there is something at fault with their current wooden one; their timber might have broken or the spindles might be coming loose.
However, the biggest reason for swapping wooden bannisters for glass balustrades is because it instantly makes the house look more contemporary and stylish.
It can transform the space with just one change, helping to create a modern feel everywhere, including the hallways.
Another reason for going ahead with the renovation project is because having a glass staircase lets in so much more light. Therefore, your hallway will feel a lot brighter, as light from the downstairs and upstairs windows can travel freely in the space.
If your house is small or feels quite dark, having a glass staircase could completely transform how it feels, simply by making it brighter. This also gives the illusion of more space, so is an ideal choice for homeowners with restricted space in their hallways.
Glass staircases are also highly durable, with toughened, shatter-resistant glass being used. This means it is still a good option if you have young children in the house, as they are strong enough to stay intact.
They are also capable of lasting decades, particularly as they are easy to maintain. They are typically scratch-resistant, meaning they will stay looking good for years, and there is no need to take care of it like you should with wood. Simply cleaning it with a microfibre cloth and multi-purpose cleaning spray will keep it looking clean and shiny.
Of course, getting a glass staircase does not just have practical advantages, as it also adds a touch of luxury to a house. It elevates the house’s charm, making it appear elegant and sought after.
So whether you want to impress guests, love having a home you can be proud of or are thinking about selling it in a few years and want to make it more appealing, glass staircases are the way to go.
