FAQ

At Grouse Railing, we specialize in custom aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and glass railings for residential and commercial properties across Greater Vancouver. Whether you’re looking for a sleek modern design, something more traditional, or a fully custom solution, we’ve got you covered. Our railing options include:

• Aluminum Railings – Lightweight, durable, and low maintenance.
• Glass Railings – Frameless or framed options for unobstructed views and modern aesthetics.
• Steel Railings – Strong and versatile, ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Stainless Steel Railings – Corrosion-resistant with a clean, polished look.
• Custom Designs – Built to match your exact vision, project specs, and code requirements.

If you’re unsure what’s best for your space, we’ll guide you through the options during a free consultation.

At Grouse Railing, we offer a wide range of top rail profiles to suit both aesthetic and structural needs, depending on your project and railing style. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:

For Glass Railing Systems (with posts):

• 2″ x 1″ Rectangle
• 3″ x 1.5″ Rectangle
• 2″ x 2.5″ Rectangle
• 2″ Round

These profiles are ideal for both residential and commercial glass railing installations, providing a clean and modern finish with excellent grip and strength.

For Picket Railing Systems:

• Same top rail sizes as glass:
  • 2″ x 1″, 3″ x 1.5″, 2″ x 2.5″, and 2″ Round
    These offer consistency in design and versatility for different styles of picket fencing or railings.

For Frameless Glass Systems:

• 1″ x 1″ Square (Stainless Steel)
• 1.5″ x 1.5″ Square (Stainless Steel)
• 1.5″ Round (Stainless Steel)

These sleek stainless steel top rails add a subtle, elegant touch to your frameless glass railing while maintaining code compliance and enhancing durability.

We offer several post mounting options to accommodate different surfaces, structural needs, and design preferences. Here’s a quick overview:

 Surface Mount (Top Mount)

• Mounted on top of concrete, wood, or steel using base plates and anchors
• Clean finish with optional cover plates
• Ideal for decks, balconies, and stairs

 Side Mount (Fascia Mount)

• Attached to the vertical face of a deck, balcony, or stair structure
• Great for maximizing usable surface space
• Modern, floating aesthetic

 Core Drill (Concrete Set)

• Posts inserted into core-drilled holes in concrete and secured with grout or epoxy
• Sleek, base-plate-free look
• Popular in commercial or high-end residential applications

 Embedded Mount

• Posts embedded directly into concrete during construction
• Seamless appearance with maximum strength
• Best suited for new builds or major renovations

A picket railing system is a classic and durable railing style made up of vertical bars—called pickets—spaced evenly between horizontal rails and posts. It’s a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties due to its strength, low maintenance, and timeless design.

At Grouse Railing, our picket systems are:

• Custom-fabricated in aluminum or steel
• Powder-coated in a variety of colors for long-lasting protection
• Code-compliant, ensuring safe spacing and sturdy construction
• Available in a range of (5/8″ X 5/8″ , 3/4″ X 3/4″ , 1 1/2″ x 5/8″ , or 1″ x 1″ and 2″ x 1″) to match your project’s aesthetic

Our 9 traditional colours are carefully selected to match the majority of design palettes and make your selection process easy.

Please note: Colours may not be an exact representation. To see true colours, please see actual material samples under proper lighting conditions. Should you require a colour outside of these options, we offer custom colour options – but please be aware any custom colour jobs will incur added cost and time to powder coat correctly.

The key differences between 6mm, 10mm, and 12mm glass lie in their thickness and applications, which directly affect the strength, aesthetic, and compliance with building codes.

6mm Glass (Frame Glass)

• Thickness: 6 millimeters (0.24 inches)
• Application: Primarily used for framed glass systems, such as glass railings with metal frames and fencing.
• Advantages:
  • Lightweight and easy to install
  • Provides a sleek, modern look, especially in residential projects
  • Often used in areas with lighter traffic or where minimal structural requirements are needed

10mm Glass (Shower Glass & Office Partitions)

• Thickness: 10 millimeters (0.39 inches)
• Application: Commonly used for shower enclosures and some office partitions.
• Advantages:
  • Stronger than 6mm, offering increased durability and safety
  • Meets the minimum building code requirements in places like BC for certain installations (e.g., shower enclosures)
  • Offers a more premium look while still being relatively lightweight

12mm Glass (Frameless Glass)

• Thickness: 12 millimeters (0.47 inches)
• Application: Typically used for frameless glass railing systems and high-traffic commercial areas.
• Advantages:
  • Provides the highest strength and stability, making it ideal for frameless glass railings and areas that require additional structural integrity
  • Required for frameless installations to ensure both safety and durability
  • Meets BC Building Code minimum requirements for frameless glass systems and commercial applications

Which Option Should You Choose?

• 6mm Glass: Ideal for framed systems, residential railings, and low-traffic areas.
• 10mm Glass: Perfect for shower enclosures, office partitions, and projects that require added strength but not a full frameless system.
• 12mm Glass: The go-to choice for frameless glass railings, commercial spaces, and projects where maximum durability and code compliance are necessary.

Topless glass railing systems remove the top rail to avoid any obstacles in your line of sight. They are the best on the market for a sleek, luxurious appeal. Traditional glass railings are framed in on the top and bottom to provide extra stability and allows us to install a thinner sheet of glass.

Aluminum is the absolute perfect material to construct railings. It is superior to wood in the sense that it will not twist or warp with exposure to moisture or sunlight, and it requires far less upkeep. It is also superior to other metals because it will not absorb any moisture, and therefore won’t rust or crack. Aluminum is a lightweight and versatile material, which means it is easy to transition from different types of railing systems within the same job – so you could easily utilize a glass system on your deck, and transition seamlessly into a picket system down the stairs.

Sure! If you have a sketch or are capable of making one – it will only add to the specificity of your quote. Feel free to just round to the nearest foot. Here’s a sample of a simple sketch that would be perfect to include: