Is it just one piece of tempered glass? Is it the correct size for your opening?

We have to remove all of the floor base that the balusters are nailed into in order to install the new hardwood. As is, it would take two of the glass pieces to fill MOST of the space between each of the larger posts, and there would be approximately a 2" gap between glass sections. So no, it is not one large piece per section. The glass is tall enough to fit into a slot in the railing top and bottom. However we really don't want to reinstall a big base like that. So, we are looking for ideas to either sell all the current railing and do something new with the glass or modify what we have to accommodate the glass. We realize whatever we do we'll have to make sure it's done to code.

With stained glass? Or the glass acid-etched/sandblasted with designs of whatever period you wanted to evoke? If it's plain clear glass it will be screaming "modern!"
Casey

Ugh. That's what I am afraid of and DH is so excited about it. I did see one pic when searching glass staircases that had an iron railing with a scrolled end at the beginning of the railing and glass panels. It was very pretty. Because the long railing section is so prominent in the living room, I think he's trying to make it more invisible and not block the windows. I understand that cause it is an eyesore. I actually was thinking about the acid etching. Perhaps with a minimal design. That could tie in to what I'm considering for the window over our sink cause the house next door is literally 12 feet away and I've always got the shade closed. I was thinking something like this that I found here on site.

The other question is if the shape of the glass to be used on the stairs is correct for your stairs. The stairs at the church may have a different rise and run than the stairs at your house. If they can work on the stairs, how does the spacing work there?

from http://www.lyndalestairs.co.uk/portfolio/oak-split-landing-staircase-with-glass-balustrade/

Yes, the pitch of the stairs at church is slightly different. We figured we would have to take them to a glass shop to see if they can cut them for us. Not as easy since they're tempered.

On another note, I've been searching DIY leaded glass and came across some blogs using leaded strips and liquid solder which looks interesting. However, they frosted their glass so I'm not sure how good it would look with clear glass.

I like this.....but this is metal. Perhaps something could be done with the "X" design and glass.

That last picture is no where near code.

The glass you have cannot be modified if it is Tempered Glass, possibly if it is laminated glass it could be modified. It really has to be one or the other and most of the time Tempered is the glass used and it will explode in a million and one pcs if you attempt to do just about anything other than use it as is.

Trebuchet, I thought perhaps we could do the glass and do an "X" somehow in front of it or use the leaded strips and liquid solder to make an "X" or some design on the glass. But, as Millworkman mentioned, we realize it will shatter when cutting, and we were told it had to be heated up prior to doing so. DH was going to call a glass shop about it, but I imagine it's going to be expensive. In that case we won't do it, and have to get rid of ALOT of glass.

Not looking forward to sanding all the balusters. Thought of doing that and painting all the small balusters white and stain darker the hand rail and large posts.

If it is tempered you cannot reshape it, and I don't get what you mean by "heated up prior to doing so"? If it is laminated they score the glass then burn the interlayer with kerosene or the like. So realistically if the rise is different then your stairs your throwing good money after bad. in my opinion scrap the idea before you even begin.