Had both at different houses. Glass looks killer, but man, the fingerprints and smudges drove me nuts—felt like I was always chasing streaks. Switched to powder-coated aluminum at the new place and honestly, it’s been way less hassle. Still, nothing beats that open view... depends what you value more, I guess.
Honestly, I hear this all the time—glass looks amazing but it’s a magnet for fingerprints, especially if you’ve got kids or pets running around. The maintenance can be a real chore unless you’re someone who enjoys cleaning (which, let’s face it, most of us don’t). Aluminum is definitely lower maintenance and holds up well, but you do lose that seamless view. Sometimes I suggest a mix—glass panels in key spots where the view matters most, aluminum elsewhere. It really comes down to how much upkeep you’re willing to tolerate versus how important that open look is for your space.
Sometimes I suggest a mix—glass panels in key spots where the view matters most, aluminum elsewhere.
I hear you on the fingerprints—my last flip had glass fencing and I swear I was wiping it down every other day. But honestly, that view is unbeatable. If you’re leaning toward less hassle, aluminum’s a solid bet, but like you said, it’s not as open. Mixing both is actually a smart move; did that on one project and buyers loved it. Just depends how much time you want to spend cleaning vs. enjoying the view.
Just depends how much time you want to spend cleaning vs. enjoying the view.
That’s the real trade-off, isn’t it? I’ve had buyers walk away from glass just because they didn’t want to deal with water spots. But for resale, those clear panels in the right spots really do make a difference. I’ve even seen folks put in frosted glass for privacy—kind of a compromise, but still more upkeep than aluminum. Personally, I lean toward mixing, but only if the budget allows.
Mixing materials is underrated, honestly. I get the appeal of a full glass fence—nothing beats that open look, especially if you’ve got a killer view or want to keep an eye on the kids. But yeah, those water spots are no joke. I’ve seen neighbors try every trick in the book to keep their panels spotless, and it’s just... constant.
Aluminum’s way less hassle, but it can feel a bit “closed off” if you’re after that resort vibe. I’ve noticed some folks do glass just along the main sightlines and then switch to aluminum where it matters less—like behind landscaping or up against a wall. That seems like a solid compromise if you don’t want to spend your weekends with a squeegee.
Frosted glass is interesting too, but I always wonder if it ends up looking dated faster than clear panels. Maybe that’s just me? Either way, budget definitely plays a role—glass isn’t cheap, especially when you factor in installation and upkeep over time.
