Maintenance Tips for Your Glass Railings: Keep Them Looking Like New

Unity Metal glass railings are a popular choice for building owners and interior designers due to their sleek and modern appearance. They provide an unobstructed view, allow for more natural light, and enhance the overall aesthetic of a space. However, these elegant features require proper maintenance to keep them looking like new.

Neglecting proper care of your stainless steel and glass railings can lead to scratches, discoloration, damage, and destruction of the protective film that is applied to the stainless steel during manufacture. The railings can also become very dirty if not regularly cleaned, including the armrest and the balustrade. In order to keep your glass railings looking their best, it is important to implement a maintenance plan to keep them in top condition.

To help you get started, the team at Unity Metal has provided some great tips for maintaining glass railings, including regular cleaning, prevention of scratches, and protection from weather elements. By following these tips, you can ensure that your glass railings remain an attractive and functional feature of your property for years to come.

Common Maintenance Concerns for Glass Railings

Glass and stainless steel railings are a beautiful addition to any property, but they require proper maintenance to keep them looking like new. Take a look at some of the problems that can occur when the railings are not maintained on a regular basis:

Dirt and grime can easily accumulate on the glass, making it look dull. This build-up can also attract moisture and cause streaks, further detracting from the appearance of the glass and stainless steel components.
If the dust on the railings contains metal elements it can create an electrochemical reaction that works to destroy the protective film on the stainless steel and encourage the growth of rust. Another item that can cause similar reactions is the organic liquid from foods and drinks.
Sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide in the air turn into water when they become cold which results in the production of carbonic acid and sulfuric acid. These acids will cause rust if they are not removed from your railings during your regular cleaning sessions.
Scratches can occur from everyday use, such as leaning against the railing or wiping it with a rough cloth. Scratches can also occur from accidental contact with sharp objects or materials and so it is important to use soft cloths such as microfibers to clean the glass and stainless steel components.
Weather elements such as rain, wind, and sun can also cause discoloration and water stains to the glass if not properly cleaned. Plus, tempered glass is a great place for dust to settle if left uncleaned for too long.

These concerns can detract from the beauty of glass railings and impact their overall functionality. It is important to address these concerns in order to keep your Unity Metal glass railings looking like new.

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is an essential part of maintaining glass and stainless steel railings. Dirt and grime build-up can make them look dull and unsightly, but they can be easily removed with proper cleaning. It is important to use a cleaning solution specifically designed for glass and stainless steel to avoid damaging the surface. Take a look at some of our other tips below:

Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals that can scratch or discolor the glass. A simple solution of water and vinegar can be effective for removing dirt and grime.
Another option is a commercial glass cleaner designed specifically for use on glass railings. When cleaning, make sure to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface of the glass. It is also important to rinse the glass thoroughly with water after cleaning to prevent streaks.
You should never use wire brushes or steel balls to scrub at your railings as this will mark them permanently and make them look unsightly.
Invest in some alkali powder to help you decontaminate the railings when needed. Simply sprinkle it onto the parts with dirt build-up and wipe it until the dirt is removed before using a wet cloth to get rid of any residue. Remember to dry the areas thoroughly afterward.

Regular cleaning not only keeps your glass and stainless steel railings looking their best, but it also helps to increase their lifespan by preventing rust and damage from accumulated dirt and grime. Building owners and interior designers should make regular cleaning a part of their maintenance plan to keep their glass and stainless steel railings looking like new.

Prevention of Scratches

Scratches can be unsightly and detract from the appearance of glass railings. They can also weaken the glass and stainless steel and impact its overall functionality. There are several steps that the Unity Metal team advises that can be taken to prevent scratches on glass railings.

First, it is important to avoid leaning against the glass and stainless steel railings or wiping them with rough cloths or iron balls. This can cause accidental scratches that are impossible to remove as well as destroy the protective layers and encourage rust to form.

Second, it is important to be mindful of sharp objects or materials that may come into contact with the glass. This can include items such as keys, jewelry, or even pet claws. When handling these objects, it is important to be cautious and avoid direct contact with the glass railings.

Finally, it is important to keep the glass railings free of debris that can scratch the surface. This includes removing any small rocks or other materials that may have accumulated on the glass. By taking these steps, building owners and interior designers can prevent scratches on their glass railings and keep them looking like new.

Protection from Weather

When it comes to picking out your glass and stainless steel railings, you first need to consider where they will be located so that you can choose the right grade of stainless steel. To do this, you should consider the climate in which they will be installed and whether they will be installed inside or outside.

Once you know where you are going to locate them, you can then think about the best type of stainless steel for the job. The great thing about stainless steel is that it is highly rust resistant in a range of environments, but there are a number of different grades that you can select depending on the amount of corrosive materials that it will come into contact with:

The Unity Metal 304 stainless steel is great for dry and clean locations and offers excellent rust resistance but is not ideal for coastal locations.
The Unity Metal 316L or 2205/2507 is perfect for coastal areas or places where there is a greater need for high levels of corrosion resistance.

At Unity Metal, we believe that investing in the right grade stainless steel is essential for maintaining the appearance and functionality of your new railings so that they will remain a beautiful and functional feature of their property for years to come.

Arrange Your Glass Railings with Unity Metal

Glass railings are a beautiful and functional addition to any property, but they require proper maintenance to keep them looking like new. Regular cleaning, prevention of scratches, and protection from weather elements are essential for maintaining the appearance and functionality of glass railings.

By taking these steps, building owners and interior designers can keep their glass railings looking like new and enjoy their aesthetic and functional benefits. Maintaining glass railings is a critical part of preserving their beauty and functionality, and it is important to make it a priority in order to get the most out of this investment.

If you need any advice or information about maintaining or installing glass railings, the Unity Metal team is ready and willing to help – get in touch today!