Balustrading can improve the safety of your garden, patio handrail or staircase handrail.

Balustrade panels are very popular for both domestic space and commercial business properties. A properly custom designed balustrade fencing or stair handrails along with other safety measures will protect users from accidental falls over the edge of balconies or through staircases. The estimated cost per metre is below. Aluminium balustrade hand and base fencing Dimensions: Width: 57mm Height: 64mm Length:1200mm. $89.49 per section. The installation job of fencing is dependable on various factors that include material choice, load-bearing capacities, application type and access restraints among others. Before purchasing any fencing material the best solution is to measure and design a suitable building plan as per the requirements. There are various other stylish balustrade options like timber or glass balustrade.

What is a baluster?

Balusters are components of handrails that stand the main structure with a vertical top handrail and horizontal rails with slats between them to provide additional stability under load from human traffic or wind loads on balconies. Balustrades or handrail may be manufactured from timber, stone, iron or stainless steel. Balusters are often required by building codes of Australia and Australian Standards. Balustrades can have higher loads and reduce the opportunity of accidents, however, the balustrades are highly recommended to be properly designed and create a stylish look. Higher load-bearing balustrade panels require special custom brackets for installation. The material used for balustrades also needs to be taken into account as this will determine the most suitable type of support. Balustrade panels are usually made from aluminium and powder coated with corrosion-resistant finishes like paint colours. A variety of custom colours are manufactured for powder coating. Other styles of materials used for balustrades include stainless steel or hardwood planks attached by gluing or nailing at the joints depending on the desired level of aesthetics.

What is a balustrade balcony?

A balustrade balcony is a long, narrow balcony that goes round the perimeter of an upper floor or above a lower level. It uses balustrades to keep its shape and as a safety mechanism preventing people from falling off the deck. A traditional stylish design looks like a railing with parallel lines following the same pattern as stairwell from top to bottom on both sides of the deck. Balustrades usually have at least one horizontal handrail parallel to the ground for security purposes. Most open balconies will use only an outward-facing handrail without any vertical handrails. The purpose of this type of structure is mainly aesthetic than functional since it still provides the necessary protection. But it has an open instead of a closed structure which helps in landscaping.

How far apart should balustrade posts be?

As a rule of thumb, posts should be 1.5 metres to 2.1 metres apart depending on the type of balustrade panels used. There are also building standards of Australia that regulate this requirement which cover all balconies or decking which exceed a certain size. One other factor that affects how far apart posts need to be is the load-bearing capacity of the ground they are being constructed on. Not all surfaces can bear the same amount of weight so it's important for you to find out what you are doing the job with before setting out any post space.

What are some common errors made when installing aluminium balustrades?

The installation job of aluminium or glass balustrades is dependable on various range of factors that include material choice, load-bearing capacities, application type and access restraints among others. Before you purchase any aluminium or glass balustrading materials you need proper styles of building plan as per the requirements.

One of the most common errors during the job of installing glass or aluminium balustrade panels is not creating a comprehensive building plan set out by a builder. Another common error in aluminium balustrades or glass balustrades is using outdated or incorrect methods when installing the support brackets for the panel or exceeding a certain size. Other errors include not following safety and security codes and rules, and not observing the building code of Australia and Australian Standards.

How much does a balustrade cost?

The price for this type of fencing is based on various range of factors that include material choice (glass, aluminium, etc.), load-bearing capacities, application type and access restraints among others. The cost also varies depending on the type of decking, etc. Typically, glass or aluminium balustrades are more expensive than stainless steel yet less expensive compared to hardwood panels. You can expect to pay around $1 per mm for aluminium balustrade panels (cheaper than glass). The competitive price also varies depending on the suppliers in terms of supply, cost, quality and shipping costs.

How long does a balustrade take to install?

It depends on the size of the deck and job complexity. When doing the job with glass or aluminium balustrade panels you will need to consider not only how far apart your posts should be but also what type of support brackets you will need. Both factors affect installation job and fittings job time because they dictate how much material needs to be prepared and cut for each post which ultimately determines how fast you can proceed with the installation job. As a general job time estimate based on the common requirements, it would take at least 2-3 days to install an average-sized balcony using standard aluminium balustrade panels. There are various styles of options like frameless glass, glass panels or glass balustrade. Larger job projects (whether glass or aluminium), of course, would take more time to finish than a small job.

How many parts do aluminium balustrades come in?

Aluminium balustrade panels are mainly made up of 2 components: An outer metal piece called the face rails and inner metal pieces called the spandrels or braces. Both typically feature decorative patterns such as round or diamond-shaped holes or lines that complement them with their unique appearance. Overall, depending on the type of installation method used there is usually only one panel that is used per running metre.

What is a wire balustrade?

Wire has a number of advantages over other types of materials, including being lightweight which means they are easy to lift and assemble without the use of machinery. They are also very cost-effective, durable and simply stunning. Similar to aluminium, the wire also offers various qualities and a wide range of design options. This means you can install them in a way that fits your patio or house wall perfectly.

How much does wire cost?

Wire is one of the most affordable types of materials used to make balustrade fencing panel. However, prices are also affected by the quality of the product, meaning it's possible for prices to vary dramatically depending on which suppliers you get yours from. Prices typically range between $1-2 per mm. If you shop around, however, you could pay less to the suppliers than this average price. You may contact your local supplier for that.

Can I install an aluminium balustrade myself?

You should contact and hire the services of a professional installer to fit an aluminium or glass balustrade. Only experienced installers are equipped with all the knowledge, skills and equipment needed to correctly install aluminium balustrade or glass fencing panels. Hiring them not only ensures you get a great job but it also protects your own safety during the installation job.

Since incorrect installation job of balustrades or handrail pose serious risks for users especially in high-rise buildings or business project where they can fall off very easily, contact a professional to get the job done whether it's glass or aluminium. Fixing it into concrete is challenging as making a concrete base will demand more materials. You may use screws to fix it to concrete or create a fresh concrete base. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission have strict requirements regarding balustrades. Check to see if similar conditions apply to your area.