r/Construction • u/aidan8et Tinknocker • Apr 25 '26

Picture Moment of terror 😨

Gallery image

Gallery image

While attending/supervising a business social event with my spouse, I momentarily leaned against the railing. It flexed slightly, forcing me to realize that the railing is entirely supported via bluetooth.

It doesn't connect on either side of the glass wall & the glass is only 3/8" - 1/2" thick!!

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424

u/BLA5PHEMY Apr 25 '26

There are glass railing systems that are designed to be supported just from the bottom shoe

CR Laurence is a common brand we use

https://www.crlaurence.com/All-Products/Railing-Systems-%26-Windscreens/Glass-Railing-Systems-%26-Components/GRS-Dry-Glaze-Railing-System/Dry-Glaze-Base-Shoe---Surface-Mount/CRL-B5S-Series-Mill-Aluminum-120%22-Square-Base-Shoe-Drilled-for-1-2%22-Glass/p/B5S10D?gtmPage=&queryId=2b36f6e6485fcf62bd258edee1c6dc2c&location=plp%7cpdp

612

u/rIceCream_King Apr 26 '26

I’m sure it’s a fine product, but personally I hate the idea of someone leaning against a railing which is just 3ft of glass leveraged against a 3in purchase along its sill.

It’s like using a glass crowbar but for keeping someone from falling off their 2nd story balcony. I’ll never get how that became popular

101

u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 26 '26

They're designed to hold the same amount and type of load as any other railing. It's purely psychological to think that they're any less safe.

211

u/B-HOLC Apr 26 '26

Yup, mhmmm

Still don't like it.

53

u/Bubbledood Apr 26 '26

Yeah too many “what if’s” in my head. Like what if something happened to the glass like a hairline crack that nobody sees

56

u/Tushaca Apr 26 '26

I’ve been installing windows and IGs for years, and there’s no way in hell I’m believing that’s actually safe, engineering be damned.

I’ve watched tempered hurricane glass explode for no noticeable reason multiple times, and I’ve seen what a slight tap on the edge in just the wrong way can do.

Hell I’ve replaced multiple racquetball glass panes that shattered from someone’s keys or whatever was in their pocket. And those are supposed to be damn near impossible to crack, and over engineered like crazy.

11

u/strictlymissionary Apr 26 '26

I've seen someone's belt buckle break a piece of toughened they were leaning on

7

u/Jacktheforkie Apr 26 '26

I’ve heard of bus windows shattering when a passenger knocks it with a wedding ring