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Are Glass Stairs Just an Interior Design Fad?

Dec 22, 2023

Glass Stairs: Passing Trend or Here to Stay?

Over the years, installations of glass stairs have increased in both homes and commercial spaces, but it begs the question. Are glass stairs and glass staircases an interior design fad or something people can rely on to stick around? Is this a place where you can confidently invest in your new build or renovation, or are these glass stairs destined to look dated down the line? Let’s explore four key reasons glass stairs are likely to fall on the side of timeless.

4 Reasons Glass Stairs Aren’t Going Anywhere

Not sure if you want to invest in glass stairs or not? Here’s a breakdown of why this design choice is great for ROI and why you’re sure to love it—even decades down the line.

1. Bold but Elegant Design

Glass stairs with integrated LED lights at the Bass headquarters.

The primary reason homeowners and business owners don’t have to worry about glass staircases falling out of favor is their design appeal. Glass stairs simultaneously make a big statement and exude timeless elegance.

Why?

The lines on glass stairs are clean and precise.
The material is high quality…and looks it!
Architectural glass products provide an upscale aura.

Because glass staircases allow for the filtration of natural light throughout the space, they work particularly well with open-concept floor plans. With their spaciousness and brightness, people are consistently drawn to those open design concepts, and those same principles apply to glass stairs.

2. Durability and Stellar ROI

A picture of a glass staircase from below with a green glass chandelier next to it.

Are glass stairs the cheapest stair or flooring option around? No…but with one important caveat. High-quality, thoughtfully manufactured, properly engineered glass stairs are incredibly durable. You don’t have to worry about the cost, time, or hassle of frequent maintenance, repairs, or even total system replacement.

With other stair materials (interior or exterior), you have a lot to worry about:

Potential termite damage
Rot
Rust

Glass eliminates all these concerns. It is important, though, to remember that not all glass products are created equal.

With lower-quality glass options, you might save a few bucks in the beginning, but don’t forget to factor in the cost to maintain that product over its lifetime. If you have to replace chipped or broken treads or the antislip glass fails over time, anything you saved in the beginning can quickly disappear to those repair costs.

The right glass stairs from the right glass manufacturer will prove their worth right away in beauty and elegance. Then, over the years, they’ll prove their worth in return on investment.

3. Unique Design Appeal

Whether it’s a homeowner or someone looking to create a commercial space, there will always be people who prioritize customization in a build or renovation.

Having a unique look in your design concept, such as glass stairs, offers several benefits:

You stand out. You don’t have to worry about your home or business looking like every other home or business.

You overlay your personality on the build. Glass is not for every person, which makes it the ideal material for a truly custom build. Using glass in general conveys personality, and then you can overlay even more with shape, color, texture, thickness, and any other customization options.

You see a high return on your investment. When custom manufactured, glass is a high-quality building material, but it’s not as standard or expected as other stair materials. When you make those kinds of unique investments into a build, you often see a great return when it is time to sell.

4. Safe, Reliable Building Material

People walking safely on a glass staircase.

There’s a common misconception that glass as a building material is somehow fragile or prone to breaking. When properly engineered, manufactured, and installed, glass is every bit as safe as any other structural building material.

Because glass stairs are safe—on top of being durable, beautiful, and unique—they aren’t likely to be a design choice that will fall out of favor any time soon.