That’s honestly reassuring to hear—thought I was the only one who got sucked in by the “infinity” look and then realized it’s a full-time job. Still, there’s something about that first week with glass that feels magical. Maybe worth it if you love the process, but yeah... aluminum’s practicality is hard to beat.
That “infinity” vibe with glass is wild at first—totally get the appeal. But after a week of wiping off fingerprints and water spots, I started questioning my life choices. If you’re the type who enjoys the ritual of cleaning, maybe it’s worth it. For me, aluminum just makes more sense long-term. It’s not as flashy, but it’s sturdy, low-maintenance, and honestly, I stopped noticing the posts after a while. One thing I didn’t expect: glass panels can be a pain if you have dogs or kids—smudges everywhere. Aluminum’s not perfect, but it’s way less hassle.
That “infinity” vibe with glass is wild at first—totally get the appeal.
I hear you on the cleaning, but I’m not sure aluminum is always less hassle. We had an old aluminum fence at my parents’ place, and after a few years, it started showing rust spots—especially near the pool where the sprinklers hit it. Maybe newer ones are better coated now? Glass does need wiping, but at least it doesn’t corrode. I guess it depends how much you’re outside or if you live somewhere humid. For me, the “infinity” look is still tempting, even if it means more time with the squeegee.
Funny you mention the rust—my neighbor had the same issue with their aluminum fence, and they were pretty surprised since everyone says aluminum doesn’t rust. Turns out, it was the hardware and not the panels themselves, but still, it looked rough after a few seasons. I’ve got glass panels around my pool, and yeah, the fingerprints and water spots are a pain, but honestly, a quick wipe every week or two keeps it looking sharp. The view is worth it for me. I guess if you’re somewhere super humid or near saltwater, glass might actually be less hassle long-term. Aluminum’s probably come a long way, but I’d still be a little wary if you’re dealing with sprinklers or pool chemicals all the time.
Turns out, it was the hardware and not the panels themselves, but still, it looked rough after a few seasons.
That’s the sneaky part—aluminum panels are tough, but those little screws and brackets? Rust magnets. If you go aluminum, swap out the cheap hardware for stainless steel right away. For glass, yeah, water spots are annoying, but at least you don’t get that “rusty tears” look running down your fence. Just keep a microfiber cloth handy and you’re golden.
