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About This Project
Whether you’re trying to keep track of your kids or to simply enjoy a soothing view of nature, most deck rails impede your view as you recline on your deck. To solve this challenge, we designed a cedar and tinted glass railing that not only improves your view but is strong and safe as well. And it adds a distinctive touch to your home’s outdoor living area.This design can replace your current railing or fit nicely on a new deck. And you can customize it to fit any length between posts—you simply cut longer or shorter rails and plates, then order the appropriate glass size and number of spindles.
It features several classic rail components—4x4s, 2x4s and 2x2s—then adds the flair of routed 1x3s, 3/8-in. tinted safety glass and decorative post caps.
In this article, we’ll show you how to construct both the cedar spindle and the glass railing sections, as well as how to cut the posts and connect all the parts so they’re strong and safe.
This project involves basic carpentry skills. The only special tools you need are a router with a 3/8-in. corner round-over bit, and a 3/8-in. x 12-in. drill bit to bore through posts and rim joists. We also recommend an air-powered finish nailer. It will make your project go faster and help you nail close to the glass without cracking it.
Figure the cost at about $37 for each 5-ft. section of the cedar spindle railing. The same size section in cedar and 3/8-in. safety tempered, tinted glass will cost about $240. This glass is pricy! Glass retailers also sell 1/4-in. tinted, safety tempered glass at less than half the cost of 3/8-in., but call your local building inspector to see if it meets local codes. We recommend the 3/8-in. thickness because it can handle more abuse and span longer rail sections than 1/4-in. glass. Avoid clear glass; birds will bash into it because they can’t see it. Most glass companies offer a bronze (which we used) or a gray tint.
Start With Post Layout and Plan Each Section
First, decide which rail sections need glass to improve your view. Use it to highlight a feature such as a lake, grove of trees, children’s play area or garden. Or it could correspond to a sliding door on the house to extend your view through the railing.
Next, plan your post locations. Start with posts at all 90-degree deck corners and next to the house. For angles less than 90 degrees, place posts to one side of the angle to avoid complex notch cuts. Then add posts in-between, so no rail section is longer than 6 ft. between posts.
Now calculate all the materials you need and place your order for delivery. When you call a local glass retailer, make sure you request safety tempered, tinted glass with a height of 29 in., even though the actual space is 29-1/2 in. between the top and bottom rails. The length of the glass will be the distance between posts minus 3 in. (there’s a 1-1/2 in. gap between the post and the glass on each end). And don’t forget to obtain a building permit if needed in your area.
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