With hygienic glass that’s easy to wipe clean, glass balustrades are relatively low-maintenance. While glass should be cleaned regularly, wiping away marks when they appear and thoroughly cleaning and polishing once a week, it requires less long-term care than a wooden balustrade.
That said, if you opt for timber handrails, these will need regular upkeep with wood treatments such as stains and polishes in addition to standard cleaning. Stainless steel handrails should be wiped down regularly for sanitary reasons, but they’re highly resistant to corrosion and stains.
The downside of frameless glass balustrades is that people are more likely to touch the glass panels, meaning fingerprints and smudges will build up more quickly. However, wiping the panels down is fast and easy enough, so you can keep your glass balustrades in sparkling condition.