Wet Glaze vs. Dry Glaze: Which is Right for Your Railing Project?

When tackling a glass railing installation project, one pivotal decision you’ll face is deciding between wet glaze vs. dry glaze. In glass installation, “glazing” refers to the way in which the glass meets the surrounding material, and the choice between wet glazing or dry glazing hinges on the details of your job.

Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s ideal to understand exactly what you need and want from your railing project before settling on a final option.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know about wet glaze vs. dry glaze for your unique railing project.

What is wet glazing?

Wet glazing systems use pourable expansion cement to hold the glass in place. Occasionally, gunnable sealant is applied between the glass and the shoe to provide extra sealing and a “finished” appearance. Due to its durability and ease of plumbing the glass, this method is typically used for interior and exterior commercial projects.

There are both positives and negatives to using a wet glazing method.

Pros:

• Improves resistance to water penetration, which prevents premature deterioration and fogging, and reduces the need for maintenance over time
• Reduces glass movement (known as "walk")
• High load limits make it helpful for high-volume foot traffic areas
• Ability to plumb glass side to side makes aligning panels easy

Cons:

• Requires more manpower, experience, and time to install, and usually requires exterior access
• Dependent on weather conditions for installation — rain or humidity can compromise the integrity of the cement or grout or prevent it from curing
• Fixing errors or making adjustments is difficult and takes longer, especially if the cement has already dried
• Labor for wet glazing tends to be more expensive than labor for dry glazing
• Installing on slopes such as ramps or stairs typically require multiple pours
• May not be compatible with laminate glass products