Most people who purchase waterfront properties do it for the view of the lake.
But what happens when your railings are impeding the view and lessening the enjoyment of your cottage?
This was the case with recent Muskokify clients who were dealing with dark, tinted glass railings, which had been installed with top and bottom rails that blocked their view of the lake.
Fed up with the well-past-their-expiration-date railings, the clients called Kevin Cardwell, owner of Muskokify, for help.
“The old railings were too busy and not at all aesthetically pleasing,” explains Kevin. “So, we recommended a frameless railing system that would open up the view.”
While Kevin makes it sound simple, the fact is the project required more than a standard replacement of the railing system. When his team went in to take out the old railings, they noticed the deck and the weight-bearing beams under the deck were rotting significantly.
“It wasn’t safe, and we definitely couldn’t be putting 150 feet of new railings in,” he says. “So, we had to fix that issue first and needed to replace the deck before adding the railings.”
Once the deck was rebuilt and safe, they installed frameless glass spigot railings. That created the vista the clients had always wanted.
The glass is made with half-inch tempered glass – the same used in hockey arenas – which is then mounted into marine-grade stainless steel spigots.
The spigots can be surface mounted, fascia mounted, or side mounted to suit the requirements of the customer. Kevin says they can also mix and match spigots for a different look and style.
“Obviously if we’re doing a deck or boathouse with a waterproof membrane, we’re going with the fascia mount so we’re not penetrating the membrane with screw holes,” he says. “The fascia mount definitely protects the integrity of a deck because it eliminates the chance of water penetration and future rot.”
For privacy with a glass railing, Kevin suggests getting select panes etched or sandblasted. Tinted glass is another option: it will soften the view a little, while providing privacy and adding a whole new accent to the décor at a contemporary cottage or boathouse.
“It’s about choice and getting what you want,” says Kevin. “With frameless glass railings, there are more options than ever before.”
TEXT CHRIS OCCHIUZZI | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
