Remodelling opinion needed: Outer glass fence

[Coronita]

So off topic question.

 

I need some remodeling advice. One of the things I wanted to do was to replace a backyard iron fence that separates our yard from the a valley. Our home overlooks the mountains and provides a decent view that we sort of like…and if you stick your head in a contorted angle such as to create a reason to go see a physical therapist, you can see part of the ocean on a clear day. 

I was toying with the idea replacing the iron fence with one of those glass fences with a 1 foot concrete stone base so that

1) It could provide a better an overall view

2) Block some of the wind noise that occasionally passes through the mountains and valleys.

 

Questions I have for landscaping/remodeling gurus

1) What are some of the issues with this type of fence? I'm asian and probably lack taste :).  I have heard from some  people that such a fence wouldn't be appealing. So I'm curious, if you're one of the people that would hate such a fence, could you explain what your beef would be with them?

3) Any issues with the glass fences? I'm told they look great when clean, but keeping them clean is a PITA. And that if you completely surround your backyard with it (I wouldn't) and your backyard is small, it can actually get kinda warm. Any concerns with discoloration in the glass over time?

4) Without going to the rigor of getting estimates, anyone off hand know approximately what a reasonable cost for something like this per linear foot? Yes, as sad as it is, I need to measure in terms of feet, not yards.

 

[temeculaguy]

Since nobody jumped on it with advice and I’ve never had one, here’s what you can do. Find a tract that has them and just talk to people outside on a Saturday. Where I live there are a couple of tracts in Redhawk where all the homes have them. They are primarily used for backyard where there is a view but a roadway in between the the view and the house, so you can still see but not hear. If you don’t need to block noise, powder coated iron is better, cheaper and has less maintenance. If you are ever in the area here, Peppercorn Drive is lined with them, some more are visable from Redhawk Parkway (Augusta and Eagle Point are the tract names) you can park and walk up to some of them and see how they have held up, they are about ten years old so it should give you an idea of how they hold up. Then drive on that street and talk to some of the residents. As long as you don’t start off talking to the kids in the street and offering them candy, you’ll find people will just talk to you.

“I’m asian and I probably lack taste” classic line, however most asians do have taste, just fight off the urge to get black laquer furniture and red carpet and you should be fine.

[NotCranky]

I wouldn’t want a glass fence. Unless its on an ocean cliff or something with a world class view, I would rather have the privacy.
In your shoes though you definitely want to find out if there will be any significant noise reduction.I think you said your house is new. If this is true you already have dual pain windows so the extra effect on sound buffering against wind, you get from the glass fence will be minimal. I don’t consider San Diego a very windy place. Other than the occasional Santa Ana and during rain storms like today it is very calm.
With all that in mind I might suggest a sleek looking fence made of horizontal cable strung through posts 10 or so feet on center. The spacing code for the wires is 4″. You could still start with a 1 foot decorative wall. Stone or fake stone that matches any on your house would look nice. You don’t need the heavy steel top rail that is usually on fencing systems like this in public places for a residential fence.I don’ think you will notice the wires any more than the glass panels and more bulky posts used to support them.This kind of fence will last a lifetime without cleaning or worrying about scratches or anything like that.

[NotCranky]

I wouldn’t want a glass fence. Unless its on an ocean cliff or something with a world class view, I would rather have the privacy.
In your shoes though you definitely want to find out if there will be any significant noise reduction.I think you said your house is new. If this is true you already have dual pain windows so the extra effect on sound buffering against wind, you get from the glass fence will be minimal. I don’t consider San Diego a very windy place. Other than the occasional Santa Ana and during rain storms like today it is very calm.
With all that in mind I might suggest a sleek looking fence made of horizontal cable strung through posts 10 or so feet on center. The spacing code for the wires is 4″. You could still start with a 1 foot decorative wall. Stone or fake stone that matches any on your house would look nice. You don’t need the heavy steel top rail that is usually on fencing systems like this in public places for a residential fence.I don’ think you will notice the wires any more than the glass panels and more bulky posts used to support them.This kind of fence will last a lifetime without cleaning or worrying about scratches or anything like that.

[NotCranky]

I wouldn’t want a glass fence. Unless its on an ocean cliff or something with a world class view, I would rather have the privacy.
In your shoes though you definitely want to find out if there will be any significant noise reduction.I think you said your house is new. If this is true you already have dual pain windows so the extra effect on sound buffering against wind, you get from the glass fence will be minimal. I don’t consider San Diego a very windy place. Other than the occasional Santa Ana and during rain storms like today it is very calm.
With all that in mind I might suggest a sleek looking fence made of horizontal cable strung through posts 10 or so feet on center. The spacing code for the wires is 4″. You could still start with a 1 foot decorative wall. Stone or fake stone that matches any on your house would look nice. You don’t need the heavy steel top rail that is usually on fencing systems like this in public places for a residential fence.I don’ think you will notice the wires any more than the glass panels and more bulky posts used to support them.This kind of fence will last a lifetime without cleaning or worrying about scratches or anything like that.

[NotCranky]

I wouldn’t want a glass fence. Unless its on an ocean cliff or something with a world class view, I would rather have the privacy.
In your shoes though you definitely want to find out if there will be any significant noise reduction.I think you said your house is new. If this is true you already have dual pain windows so the extra effect on sound buffering against wind, you get from the glass fence will be minimal. I don’t consider San Diego a very windy place. Other than the occasional Santa Ana and during rain storms like today it is very calm.
With all that in mind I might suggest a sleek looking fence made of horizontal cable strung through posts 10 or so feet on center. The spacing code for the wires is 4″. You could still start with a 1 foot decorative wall. Stone or fake stone that matches any on your house would look nice. You don’t need the heavy steel top rail that is usually on fencing systems like this in public places for a residential fence.I don’ think you will notice the wires any more than the glass panels and more bulky posts used to support them.This kind of fence will last a lifetime without cleaning or worrying about scratches or anything like that.

[NotCranky]

I wouldn’t want a glass fence. Unless its on an ocean cliff or something with a world class view, I would rather have the privacy.
In your shoes though you definitely want to find out if there will be any significant noise reduction.I think you said your house is new. If this is true you already have dual pain windows so the extra effect on sound buffering against wind, you get from the glass fence will be minimal. I don’t consider San Diego a very windy place. Other than the occasional Santa Ana and during rain storms like today it is very calm.
With all that in mind I might suggest a sleek looking fence made of horizontal cable strung through posts 10 or so feet on center. The spacing code for the wires is 4″. You could still start with a 1 foot decorative wall. Stone or fake stone that matches any on your house would look nice. You don’t need the heavy steel top rail that is usually on fencing systems like this in public places for a residential fence.I don’ think you will notice the wires any more than the glass panels and more bulky posts used to support them.This kind of fence will last a lifetime without cleaning or worrying about scratches or anything like that.

[temeculaguy]

Since nobody jumped on it with advice and I’ve never had one, here’s what you can do. Find a tract that has them and just talk to people outside on a Saturday. Where I live there are a couple of tracts in Redhawk where all the homes have them. They are primarily used for backyard where there is a view but a roadway in between the the view and the house, so you can still see but not hear. If you don’t need to block noise, powder coated iron is better, cheaper and has less maintenance. If you are ever in the area here, Peppercorn Drive is lined with them, some more are visable from Redhawk Parkway (Augusta and Eagle Point are the tract names) you can park and walk up to some of them and see how they have held up, they are about ten years old so it should give you an idea of how they hold up. Then drive on that street and talk to some of the residents. As long as you don’t start off talking to the kids in the street and offering them candy, you’ll find people will just talk to you.

“I’m asian and I probably lack taste” classic line, however most asians do have taste, just fight off the urge to get black laquer furniture and red carpet and you should be fine.

[temeculaguy]

Since nobody jumped on it with advice and I’ve never had one, here’s what you can do. Find a tract that has them and just talk to people outside on a Saturday. Where I live there are a couple of tracts in Redhawk where all the homes have them. They are primarily used for backyard where there is a view but a roadway in between the the view and the house, so you can still see but not hear. If you don’t need to block noise, powder coated iron is better, cheaper and has less maintenance. If you are ever in the area here, Peppercorn Drive is lined with them, some more are visable from Redhawk Parkway (Augusta and Eagle Point are the tract names) you can park and walk up to some of them and see how they have held up, they are about ten years old so it should give you an idea of how they hold up. Then drive on that street and talk to some of the residents. As long as you don’t start off talking to the kids in the street and offering them candy, you’ll find people will just talk to you.

“I’m asian and I probably lack taste” classic line, however most asians do have taste, just fight off the urge to get black laquer furniture and red carpet and you should be fine.

[temeculaguy]

Since nobody jumped on it with advice and I’ve never had one, here’s what you can do. Find a tract that has them and just talk to people outside on a Saturday. Where I live there are a couple of tracts in Redhawk where all the homes have them. They are primarily used for backyard where there is a view but a roadway in between the the view and the house, so you can still see but not hear. If you don’t need to block noise, powder coated iron is better, cheaper and has less maintenance. If you are ever in the area here, Peppercorn Drive is lined with them, some more are visable from Redhawk Parkway (Augusta and Eagle Point are the tract names) you can park and walk up to some of them and see how they have held up, they are about ten years old so it should give you an idea of how they hold up. Then drive on that street and talk to some of the residents. As long as you don’t start off talking to the kids in the street and offering them candy, you’ll find people will just talk to you.

“I’m asian and I probably lack taste” classic line, however most asians do have taste, just fight off the urge to get black laquer furniture and red carpet and you should be fine.

[temeculaguy]

Since nobody jumped on it with advice and I’ve never had one, here’s what you can do. Find a tract that has them and just talk to people outside on a Saturday. Where I live there are a couple of tracts in Redhawk where all the homes have them. They are primarily used for backyard where there is a view but a roadway in between the the view and the house, so you can still see but not hear. If you don’t need to block noise, powder coated iron is better, cheaper and has less maintenance. If you are ever in the area here, Peppercorn Drive is lined with them, some more are visable from Redhawk Parkway (Augusta and Eagle Point are the tract names) you can park and walk up to some of them and see how they have held up, they are about ten years old so it should give you an idea of how they hold up. Then drive on that street and talk to some of the residents. As long as you don’t start off talking to the kids in the street and offering them candy, you’ll find people will just talk to you.

“I’m asian and I probably lack taste” classic line, however most asians do have taste, just fight off the urge to get black laquer furniture and red carpet and you should be fine.

[sfexporter]

FLU,

Did you end up with a glass fence? If yes, what are the pluses and minuses? Who did you use for the remodel and what is the cost per linear ft?

I am thinking about replacing the iron fence as well to block off some road noise and keeping the nice view of the canyon.

Thanks in advance for the 411….

[sfexporter]

FLU,

Did you end up with a glass fence? If yes, what are the pluses and minuses? Who did you use for the remodel and what is the cost per linear ft?

I am thinking about replacing the iron fence as well to block off some road noise and keeping the nice view of the canyon.

Thanks in advance for the 411….

[sfexporter]

FLU,

Did you end up with a glass fence? If yes, what are the pluses and minuses? Who did you use for the remodel and what is the cost per linear ft?

I am thinking about replacing the iron fence as well to block off some road noise and keeping the nice view of the canyon.

Thanks in advance for the 411….

[sfexporter]

FLU,

Did you end up with a glass fence? If yes, what are the pluses and minuses? Who did you use for the remodel and what is the cost per linear ft?

I am thinking about replacing the iron fence as well to block off some road noise and keeping the nice view of the canyon.

Thanks in advance for the 411….

[sfexporter]

FLU,

Did you end up with a glass fence? If yes, what are the pluses and minuses? Who did you use for the remodel and what is the cost per linear ft?

I am thinking about replacing the iron fence as well to block off some road noise and keeping the nice view of the canyon.

Thanks in advance for the 411….

[Author]

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