I get the appeal of glass, but I keep wondering about long-term upkeep. Does anyone know if the hardware on glass fences (like the hinges and posts) holds up as well as aluminum over, say, ten years? My house is old, so I’m always thinking about how things age. I’m also curious if glass ever starts to look cloudy after a while, or is that just a myth?
I hear you on the upkeep worries. I looked at glass fencing when we redid our pool area, but the hardware maintenance kinda scared me off. My neighbor’s got glass panels and after a few years, the hinges started to look a bit rusty—he’s always out there wiping them down. The glass itself still looks pretty clear, though, so I don’t think that cloudy thing is a myth unless you totally ignore cleaning. Aluminum just seemed less fussy (and cheaper), so that’s what we went with. Not as fancy, but way less stress.
We had a similar debate when updating the fencing around our old place—ours is a 1920s bungalow, so I’m always thinking about what’ll age well. I actually liked the look of glass, but started worrying about all the metal bits getting pitted or corroded over time, especially since we’re close to the coast. I’ve seen a few historic homes with aluminum, and while it’s not as invisible as glass, it doesn’t fight the elements nearly as much. Plus, I’m not keen on being out there every weekend scrubbing hardware. Maybe glass works better in less humid spots?
I’ve worked with both glass and aluminum fencing around pools, and honestly, each has its quirks. Glass looks stunning—no question there. It really opens up the space, especially if you’ve got a view or a nice garden. But you’re right about the upkeep, especially near the coast. I had a client who went with glass panels, and within a year, the stainless steel hardware started showing little rust spots. They were diligent about cleaning, but salt air is relentless.
Aluminum’s not as “invisible,” but it’s way more forgiving. Powder-coated finishes hold up surprisingly well, and you can get some pretty sleek profiles now that don’t scream “chain link.” I’ve seen some older homes where the aluminum actually blends in nicely once the landscaping fills out. If you’re not into constant maintenance, aluminum’s probably the safer bet near the ocean. Glass just seems to demand more attention than most people expect—especially if you want it to stay looking pristine.
Here’s my two cents as someone who’d rather spend on pool floats than fence polish:
- Glass looks amazing, but my kids’ fingerprints are basically a permanent feature.
- Aluminum’s cheaper, but I swear I stub my toe on it every other week.
- Honestly, I just want something that won’t eat up my Saturday with cleaning or repairs... or my wallet with “surprise” maintenance.
- If you’re not obsessed with the view, maybe a solid wood fence with a decent sealant? Less see-through, but at least you can lean stuff on it without worrying about scratches.
