How do glass railings align with green building practices including LEED?

Did you know glass railing installation projects align with green building practices, and qualify for LEED points? It’s because they’re made from sustainable materials, contribute to energy efficiency, last for decades, and are easy to maintain with environmentally friendly solutions. Additionally, every part can be recycled.

Glass railings align with green building practices

• Made from recycled and sustainable materials
• Energy saving: Allow sunlight to contribute light and heat to indoor environments
• Long-lasting and durable materials
• Low maintenance, environmentally friendly
• Recyclable and can be made from recycled materials

Glass railings are made from glass, steel and/or aluminum, which are sustainable materials that can be recycled over and over again with no loss of functionality. These materials are very long-lasting and durable. Plus less waste is created from their manufacturing processes. 

LEED®, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the Canadian–and global- standard for green building. It uses a certification process and a point system to measure progress toward its goals. (Vancouver Convention Centre - West has double LEED platinum certification.)

Glass railing installation projects and LEED

• Material selection
• Energy efficiency
• Sustainable site development.

Glass railing installation projects gain points in the LEED system in three categories: material selection, energy efficiency and sustainable site development.

The materials used in glass rail, as mentioned above, are sustainable, durable, recyclable, and use recycled materials in their creation. 

Energy efficiency is gained through one of glass railing’s big benefits: it’s see-through! It allows fantastic, unobscured views but it also lets sunlight through.

Because it lets the sun in, it helps to light and heat our homes. So we don’t have to generate as much light or heat with electricity to feel comfortable. The same principle applies to overhead glass canopies and skylights. And in offices, this effect compounds beautifully with glass office dividers and glass office walls.

Even if you’re not interested in green building design at the moment, a new glass railing installation project or retrofit will bring you decades of enjoyment and energy savings. But it also gives you the option of moving in that direction at any point in the future. And considering that’s the direction the building sector is going, it will add value to your home.

Contact trusted glass railing companies in Vancouver to ask how to customise glass railing for your home and office.

Panorama glass has over 35 years of experience in the construction and glass industries providing the Metro Vancouver area with custom glass railing and glass solutions for both residential and commercial needs. Give us a call: 604-862-8955