I prefer 1. It suits your modern home and brings in a touch of warmth. 2 is not quite right in my opinion.

Thank you...i think i may just have to go with the glass

I actually like the look of the beams...but everyone's turning me off them...so glass it is!!

Which one hagan_38????

Nooooo i like the glass starting on each step, not going all th way down...and this one doesn't even have a railing..i like other one better :P

If you like the beams, go for them. It's your home, I presume? If so you should go for what you like.

Arghhhhhh hagan_38...do you know how confused I am right now???!!!!!!!! Beams, glass..beams..glass....I am sooo over it all!!! lol

Of those two options, Number 1.

But, if there was a third option which was similar to Number 2, but which utilised timber instead of prison-like bars, then I'd be sorely tempted to choose that option.

Go for number 1......it is way better than the first photo of glass you posted in another post....there is less glass to clean. also, your husband wants glass, your builder cousin wants glass, you don't want the rail on the wall so will solve that problem, and glass looks modern but is also timeless...won't date like some of the other options.

So...go for number 1...there, I've helped you!!

I've really enjoyed reading all your posts over the last few months and watching your house evolve...please post pics once it is complete - it is going to look fantastic:)

Aww thank you robandlyn :) You're too sweet :)

We are just waiting on our house warming invite (only joking). Both photos are great and I now think the balustrade on the glass helps this idea along if you go this way.

Yes!!!....you are all invited when i have one!!! :) Thanks again

https://goo.gl/images/jn9p9p

How about frosted glass, so it wont look dirty?

Were you satisfied with the tiling, did they do a good job?

They are no where near finished the inside yet...then there is all the outside to be done...But yes, they are the best tilers in Sydney ;) Love their work! Perfectionists :)

Glass looks much nicer and very modern. Get a wooden rail attached to the side of glass to make glass hold stronger. Very nice.

the majority of votes appear to be for the glass balustrade but it seems you're still not convinced so there must be a third option: perfect for you...you could always try for built in walls with storage under the stairs and wooden treads and risers with a simple wooden balustrade..done with gorgeous eg Tasmanian Oak in a simple uncluttered style would be simple, useful storage, uncluttered, easier to maintain, timeless and probably much cheaper than any of the new designs that seem to date so quickly

Thanks all, but i have decided on the glass with the matching 'Spotted Gum' railing to suit the upstairs hardwood timber floor ;)

well done!!

I would propose Option 1 with glass and hand rail.

1 is modern and is likely to hold it's age better than two which I find to be too modern and is likely to date very quickly.

2!!

I like #1 better - but as an aside, because I have recently discovered the delights (and occasional "moments") of grandchildren, are there going to be young children in your house regularly? I personally like the floating timber steps and the glass, but talking to my daughter about her new three story home, I realised that the walking-to 4-5year old stage (she currently has a 2 year old and another on the way) could be a serious ongoing issue for people with kids - so I reined in my criticism of her "boxed-in" stairs... Just a thought...

I prefer 1 because there are older people who cannot manage without a rail.

1 with the railing in the glass it's going to be

It all depends on what style home you have and whether you have small children, but I prefer option 2 as it looks very modern. Glass panels with rails have been around for years.

Ended up doing this look....as you can see, the steps are covered up to protect the timber, still not totally finished yet...

THANK YOU ALL :)

Ended up doing this -

I like the first one too with the glass. Contemporary modern. Nice.