Railings & Details · Minneapolis, MN
Aluminum and glass railing in Minneapolis
Wood rails need staining every few years, and you're tired of looking at your yard through a row of chipped, peeling balusters every single summer.
We install powder-coated aluminum rail systems and tempered glass panels that keep the view clear and end the paint and stain cycle.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Written scope before work starts
$96 to $289 per linear foot, based on 2026 Twin Cities jobs.
Aluminum and glass railing pairs powder-coated aluminum posts and rails with either aluminum balusters or tempered glass panels held in channels or clamps. Posts bolt to solid blocking, the guard stands at least 36 inches tall, and openings stay under 4 inches. In Minneapolis, aluminum and glass railing typically costs $96 to $289 per linear foot, with plain aluminum balusters at the lower end and frameless glass near the top.
Why aluminum and glass rails suit a low-upkeep deck
Powder-coated aluminum doesn't rot, split or need stain, and it won't rust the way painted steel does. That makes it a strong pick if you want the railing to look close to new for many years after we finish. Systems from Westbury, Fortress and Key-Link come in black, bronze, white and a few other colors, with balusters, picket panels or glass infill that all fit the same posts. You can mix infill types on one deck without the parts looking mismatched.
Glass panels give you the most open view of any railing type. On a deck facing a lake, the river or a long backyard, nothing sits between your eyes and the scenery except clear tempered glass. The panels also block wind, which helps on tall decks and rooftop spaces during cool spring and fall evenings. The trade-off is cleaning: glass shows rain spots, pollen and dog nose prints, so plan on a wipe-down a few times each season.
Revo Deck Systems installs aluminum rail on new decks we build and on existing decks with sound framing. Aluminum posts are lighter than wood but still need solid blocking and structural mounting brackets to stay stiff. We check what sits under each post location, add blocking where it's missing and repair soft rim sections first. After that prep, the system goes together fairly quickly, with glass panels set last so they stay clean and unscratched during the rest of the work.
Aluminum and glass railing styles to compare
Aluminum baluster panels
Prebuilt sections with round or square balusters are the most common choice and the lowest cost in this category. Thin pickets block much less of the view than wood and come in several colors to match trim or windows.
Framed glass panels
Tempered glass sits inside an aluminum frame with a top and bottom rail. The frame protects the glass edges, carries snow load on the top rail and gives a clean, finished line around the deck.
Frameless or post-clamp glass
Glass held by clamps on aluminum posts, with or without a top rail, gives the most open look possible. It costs more, and the posts and mounting must be exact so every panel sits level.
Mixed aluminum and glass runs
Plenty of decks use glass on the view side and balusters along the sides and stairs. Mixing keeps the view clear where it matters and holds the cost down where glass adds little.
What an aluminum or glass railing install looks like
- 01Call
Measure and pick finishes
We measure each run, note stairs and gates and bring color samples and glass options. You see linear-foot pricing for balusters, glass and mixed layouts side by side.
- 02Visit
Order the system to size
Aluminum panels and glass are often cut to order, so exact measurements matter here. We confirm post spacing and stair angles before placing the order with the supplier.
- 03Scope
Prepare the framing
While materials are on the way, the old rail comes off, blocking goes in under each post and any soft rim or joist ends found at the visit get repaired.
- 04Prep
Mount posts and rails
Posts go on with structural brackets and coated or stainless fasteners, then top and bottom rails are fitted. Height is checked at 36 inches minimum along every run.
- 05Build
Install panels or glass
Baluster panels or glass go in last, with gaskets or clamps set to the maker's instructions. Stair handrails are mounted at 34 to 38 inches above the nosing.
- 06Check
Final check and care tips
Every post gets a push test, gates get checked and the glass gets cleaned. You also get care tips for powder coat and glass, including which cleaners and ice melts to avoid.
What aluminum and glass railing typically costs
Aluminum and glass railing typically costs $96 to $289 per linear foot installed in the Minneapolis area. Plain aluminum baluster panels fall near the low end. Framed glass sits in the middle, and frameless or post-clamp glass reaches the top of the range. Stairs, gates and framing repairs all change the total, so the real number comes after we see your deck and measure each run.
What changes the price
- Infill type: aluminum balusters, framed glass panels or frameless clamp glass
- Powder-coat color, since standard black and white usually cost less than specialty finishes
- Corners and stair sections that need custom-angled parts and extra posts
- Blocking and rim repair needed so each post mounts to solid framing
- Self-closing gates with latches for pools, pets or young children
- Deck height, since tall decks need staging to set posts and glass safely
When aluminum or glass railing is the right upgrade
Tired of staining wood rails
If spring weekends keep going to scraping and restaining balusters, aluminum ends that routine. The powder-coat finish needs only an occasional wash with mild soap and water.
A view you want unbroken
Glass panels leave the view to a lake, creek or garden almost untouched. Even slim aluminum balusters block far less than a wood rail with thick posts and wide caps.
Wind on a tall deck
High decks on walkout lots catch steady wind through spring and fall. Glass infill cuts that breeze while keeping the deck feeling open and bright.
New boards, old railing
A newer composite deck still wearing a weathered wood railing looks unfinished. Aluminum rail in black or bronze to suit the boards completes the look and needs similar upkeep.
Wobbly posts on the current rail
If your existing rail posts move when you push them, the rail is due for replacement. Aluminum goes on with new blocking and brackets so the new rail starts out stiff.
Pool, pet or child safety
Glass panels leave no gaps for small hands, paws or toys to slip through. Aluminum gates with self-closing hinges and latches can close off stairs or a pool area.
Aluminum and glass railings on Minnesota decks and homes
Powder-coated aluminum handles Twin Cities weather better than most rail materials. It doesn't absorb water, so the freeze-thaw cycles of March, April and November can't split it the way they split wood caps. Rock salt is the main enemy, since it can pit the finish where it piles up, so we suggest a plastic shovel and calcium magnesium acetate near the rail. Glass panels shed snow well, though heavy drifts packed against the panels should be cleared rather than left sitting for weeks.
This type of rail suits the outer-suburb homes where tall second-story decks overlook big yards and ponds, like the 1980s to 2000s walkouts in Eden Prairie, Woodbury, Lakeville and Plymouth. Glass also fits lake homes on Lake Minnetonka and the upper balconies on city duplexes and triplexes. On a 1920s bungalow or Tudor revival in Southwest Minneapolis, a black aluminum baluster rail with a simple top cap can look right in places where full glass might feel too modern for the house.
Where we do aluminum & glass railing around Minneapolis
Aluminum & Glass Railing jobs take our carpenters to these cities and neighborhoods most weeks, and to the rest of the metro too.
- Minneapolis 55414
- Saint Paul 55102
- Bloomington 55420
- Brooklyn Park 55443
- Plymouth 55447
- Woodbury 55125
- Maple Grove 55369
- Lakeville 55044
- Blaine 55434
- Eagan 55122
- Burnsville 55337
- Eden Prairie 55344
- Coon Rapids 55433
- Apple Valley 55124
- Edina 55424
- Minnetonka 55305
- St. Louis Park 55416
- Shakopee 55379
- Maplewood 55109
- Cottage Grove 55016
- Richfield 55423
- Roseville 55113
- Inver Grove Heights 55076
- Andover 55304
- Savage 55378
- Fridley 55432
- Chanhassen 55317
- Prior Lake 55372
Questions about aluminum & glass railing
Is glass deck railing hard to keep clean?
Glass shows water spots, pollen and fingerprints, so expect to clean it a few times each season, more often near trees or a lake. A soft cloth with glass cleaner, or water with a splash of vinegar, works well. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh solvents near the gaskets. Many homeowners put glass only on the view side to keep cleaning time down.
Will an aluminum deck railing fade or chip in Minnesota winters?
Quality powder coat holds up well to cold, snow and summer sun, and it never needs repainting in the usual sense. The main risks are hard shovel strikes and rock salt left piled against the posts. Use a plastic shovel near the rail and a gentler ice melt. Small chips can be touched up with the maker's color-matched paint, which we can order for you.
Can tempered glass deck railing panels break?
Tempered glass is much stronger than ordinary window glass, and if it does break, it crumbles into small pieces rather than sharp shards. Breaks are uncommon and usually come from a hard edge hit, such as a dropped tool or a thrown object. Framed panels protect the edges, which lowers that risk. Replacement panels can be ordered to the same size.
Can aluminum railing go on my existing wood deck?
Yes, if the framing is sound. Aluminum posts mount with structural brackets to blocking between the joists, so we check the rim and joist ends at each post location first. Treated wood framing pairs fine with aluminum when the hardware is rated for treated lumber. If the boards are worn, it is worth talking about new decking at the same time.
How long does an aluminum and glass railing install take?
Most installs take a few working days once materials arrive, though custom glass and stair parts can take several weeks to come in. Prep work like removing the old rail and adding blocking often happens while we wait. Tall decks, long glass runs and framing repairs add time. We lay out a schedule at the site visit so you know when to expect us.
Talk to us about aluminum & glass railing
Call any hour about aluminum & glass railing, tell us what you are seeing, and we will set a time to look and write up a scope.