Your property is the most important investment of your life. However, it can also be a huge responsibility and a project that will necessitate both a consistent financial effort from your part and your utmost concentration in order to recoup your money and improve your family’s standard of living. Are you the new proud owner of a centrally-located flat, and you are looking at ways to 1) improve your dwelling’s aesthetics and 2) potentially increase its market value? In that case, one of the most cost-effective things you can do is look to replace some of the property’s hardware. And, for efficiency reasons, you could start with balustrades.
Investing in premium-looking balustrades in Sydney will bring both functional and aesthetic benefits that will enhance your dwelling’s market value and make it a nicer place to live in. But let’s start with the basics: A high-quality balustrade will, above all else, improve the structural resistance of your apartment and act as a safety barrier against unwanted accidents waiting to happen. The last thing you want is for your children or pets to potentially have an incident and fall from one of your terraces, balconies or stairs.
A premium balustrade will be manufactured from quality materials, designed to withstand even the most precarious of weather, will provide the safety your family requires and will also enhance the look of your dwelling, acting as an extension of your vision. Do you want, however, the best of the best? Are you looking to achieve a seamless look that will give the sensation of openness and modernise your property’s structure without you investing a fortune in extensive renovation work? If so, you couldn’t find a better solution than going for a glass balustrade.
How Are Glass Rails Different?
Well, just look at them. Glass-made rails are becoming increasingly popular on the Australian market, and for good reasons. Sleek, durable, but also surprisingly practical, high-quality glass-made balustrades in Sydney are easy to clean and provide unobstructed views to the nearby surroundings, which in NSW could be a huge benefit, as a good view often represents the difference between a property that’s worth million, or one that’s well below the market average.
The prices of Australian properties continue to rise, and for the most part, the popular properties, for market-interested buyers, are those apartments or houses that can blend in the traditional elements specific to Aussie dwellings with the modernism expected in the 21st century. People are looking for bigger, brighter houses, but on average, the size of Aussie homes has shrunk somewhat in the last couple of years, which is an issue for house owners, as a smaller house will fetch a reduced price.
Do you want to make your dwelling look bigger without investing a fortune into expensive permits and involved renovation work? Then, a simple but efficient solution would be to focus your attention on a premium-made glass balustrade. High-quality balustrades, when made of glass, are designed to comply with the AS 1288:2021 standard, represent a fantastic investment if you’re looking to future-proof your residential investment, and are one of the main selling factors of dwellings listed for sale in Sydney.
What Are the Financial Benefits of Glass Balustrade?
Let’s do some math. A glass railing, when manufactured by a reputable company and designed with a sleek look in mind, could increase your property’s total listing price by around 1%. That might not sound like a lot at first glance, but we need to consider the average price of a premium-quality glass balustrade and compare that with the median listing price of NSW properties. The median unit price in Sydney is just shy of million, while the installation of a glass rail will cost you between 0 and 0 per linear meter, depending on the installation complexity and the materials you decide to use.
Let’s say you decided to go for a more premium option and you are looking to replace the balustrade of a 5-meter balcony. That should cost you around ,500. However, let’s say you also want to replace your stairway handrails and maybe also the balustrade of a secondary balcony, this one a bit smaller. Maybe your total investment, in that case will be in the ballpark of ,000. That said, if these investments increase your property’s market value by 1%, your ,000 investment will lead to a ROI of 100%.
What Are Some Alternatives to Glass Rails?
Glass is a wonder material that combines modernity with durability and practicality. That said, the aesthetics of glass railing doesn’t always work for properties in a more rural setting or for dwellings that want to go for a more conventional, Australian-specific aesthetic. Do you live in a wooden house manufactured at the dawn of the 20th century? In that case, perhaps a better choice, in your case, will be to invest in timber rails, which combine the heritage and charm of old-style properties with the durability we expect from newly-designed constructions.
Are you, however, living in a modern dwelling, but you are weary about the durability of glass, or you are not comfortable paying extra for a premium material? If so, maybe a simple aluminium balustrade will be suitable for your needs. Do you want even more durability? In that case, stainless steel will be the way to go. From the decorative designs made possible by wrought iron to the simplicity made possible by wood and wire rails, the designs and materials available to the average Aussie in 2025 are more diverse than ever.
However, if one should choose one option for their dwelling, glass railings should be at the top of the list. Sure, they require professional installation and the initial costs will be higher than with other types of rails. But a glass balustrade could substantially improve the aesthetics of your property, and in the right circumstances, it could be the factor that will decide whether your newly purchased property transforms into an investment for the future of your children.