Many interior design trends point to modernising properties by incorporating glass, and adding glass bannister panels to your staircase will certainly improve it. Regardless of a particular home’s style of décor, glass stair panels can fit right in while freshening up the space. Glass stair panels allow more light to flow into the area, making the staircase feel brighter and much bigger.
At Abbott-Wade, we’ve manufactured and fitted many glass staircases over the years, including bespoke staircase renovations. It’s safe to say that we’re staircase experts, so we know that glass stair panels require special maintenance compared to other staircase materials. They are, however, much easier to clean than wooden spindles as they aren’t a dust trap! This said, it’s important to know how to clean and care for your glass staircases properly.
To that end, we’ve put together some all-important considerations to help you understand the best ways to maintain a glass staircase. From the best cleaning materials to tips on how to avoid damage, here are a few of the things you can do to keep your glass staircase clean and well cared for.
Clean indoor glass balustrades regularly and carefully
While you may only clean your windows every few months, it’s likely that you clean your glass furniture, such as mirrors, tables, and counters, far more frequently. While you’re cleaning your other glass furnishings, you should also give the glass balustrades on your staircase a good wipe down at least once a week.
Best thing to clean glass stairs
More often than not, glass cleaning sprays leave residue or streaks, so it’s best to avoid them. That doesn’t mean you should use general cleaning chemicals, though – these are often quite strong and can damage the glass, as can abrasive towels, sponges, or scrubbing tools.
For the best results and the least damage, you should wipe down the glass with a soft microfibre cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and a small amount of washing up liquid. You could add a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar if there’s a particularly stubborn or dried stain.
Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to rub the glass balustrades gently in circular motions. This will help to buff out any remaining spots, streaks, or smudgy fingerprints and bring the surface back to a reflective polish. Your glass balustrades should now be sparkling clean and look like new.
Add a protective finish to your glass bannister panels
Our toughened glass stair panels are already resistant to scuffs and scratches and come with a water-repellent and dirt-resistant coating. This doesn’t mean that you will never have to clean the glass, it just makes the job that much easier by preventing difficult stains from forming on the surface.
If you want extra protection for your glass stair panels, you could apply a transparent coating. This extra layer won’t be noticeable, but the effects of it certainly will. Should you decide to do this, we recommend getting it professionally done as soon as possible after we have installed your glass stair panels.
Where glass bannisters are fitted into wooden staircases, such as glass and oak stairs, you’ll have to look after the wooden elements as well. You should be sweeping or hoovering the steps and wiping down bannisters every few days. Consider applying a wood polish or wax treatment to the wooden parts of your bannisters, too.
Are glass bannisters safe for children and pets?
If you have young children or pets, the worst you’ll have to worry about with glass bannisters are sticky finger marks (and the occasional wet nose print!). The glass is so tough that a child, or even a large dog, would not be able to break it. So, as long as you’re willing to give your glass balustrades a regular wipe down with soapy water, then it’s fine to have glass bannisters with young children or pets.
If you currently have wooden spindles and a rather hairy pet, you’ve probably noticed that hair (and dust) can accumulate between the spindles. With glass balustrades, this won’t be a problem.
In fact, one of the biggest benefits of glass balustrades is that they are so child and pet friendly. Wooden spindles or metal railings on your staircase are designed with slats and gaps, which create a big risk for curious kids, who may be inclined to poke limbs through the gaps. Glass balustrades provide the maximum amount of light in your stairwell, but without the risk to your babies (and fur babies!).
Keep a look-out for damage to your glass bannisters
Prevention is better than cure, as they say – so to prevent damage, it’s important to follow the guidance on the cleaning, protection, and careful usage of your glass bannisters. Nevertheless, there’s still a small chance that an accident can occur and result in a chip, crack or scratch in your glass bannisters.
This is why it’s vital to do a visual check every few times you use the staircase, to make sure everything is as it should be. If you spot a stain, smudge, or liquid spillage, clean it up right away – some liquids can damage joints if they seep into the cracks.
If you do notice any issues, from scratches to loose-fitting panels, you should contact the manufacturer to come and inspect it. Even if it’s only a little chip, it must be fixed as soon as possible. You may be tempted to conduct a DIY repair to save money, but what if it goes wrong?
To avoid even costlier repairs to your glass bannisters down the line, you should always trust specialists like Abbott-Wade to carry out repairs or replacements. If you don’t have the qualifications and experience that a specialist does, it’s not worth the trouble that cutting corners can cause.
Use your stairs responsibly to protect your indoor glass balustrade
Toughened glass is very durable, but you shouldn’t be careless when using the staircase. It’s inevitable that any family will need to move things upstairs or downstairs at some point, but try to avoid carrying heavy or sharp objects on the stairs that could chip or scratch the glass.
Staircases are high-traffic areas in most homes, so it’s a good idea to enforce a ‘no shoes on the stairs’ rule for everyone in the home. Pointy heels or tiny stones trapped in sole treads can cause more damage than you might think, and shoes also spread dirt on the steps.
While it does take a lot to damage toughened glass bannisters beyond repair, replacements can be costly, so it’s not worth the risk. Teach everyone in the household to be careful on the stairs, including not running (in case they fall into the balustrades) and not swinging bags or laundry baskets.
In conclusion, if you look after your glass bannisters properly, they will last for many years to come.
Contact us today for a quote for glass bannisters in your home
Whether it’s an entirely new flight of stairs or a staircase refurbishment, a glass staircase can last for a very long time if you maintain it properly. Don’t let dust, grubby hands, or careless kids dull its shine – regular cleaning and maintenance should keep your glass staircase in good condition for many years.
Glass staircases make a beautiful addition to any home, but only if you look after them. If you’re interested in installing high-quality glass balustrades for your stairs, get in touch with the helpful team at Abbott-Wade by calling 01744 634442. You can also contact us by sending an email to info@abbottwade.co.uk.
