A balustrade is a kind of architectural decoration in the form of a railing that serves to prevent fall from a height.

Balustrades can be attached directly to walls or climb along them with help of small columns or posts called balusters. A balustrade may also stand freely as a whole unit structure. Ancient temples were adorned by monumental marble-and-stone parapets with statues. Today balustrades are widely used in private house building both outside and inside doorways, roofs, staircases, balcony railing etc. These balustrades create beautiful decoration and style, adding elegance to any interior ensemble without diminishing its integrity even when they do not play a practical purpose.

What does a balustrade do?

A balustrade or a rail is a horizontal construction that goes around the perimeter of an elevated place such as a balcony, terrace, stairway etc. This balustrade is used to keep people from falling off the staircase. Thanks to its design and style, and also the various shapes which adds both visual interest and safety feature in any interior space so it can be considered a key element in modern-style architecture. According to history, this balustrade was used from the renaissance period for architecture purposes.

They provide additional structural support for people climbing staircases, especially if the staircase is narrow or has several steps. These balustrades also help people move more smoothly along the stair passage because their hands don't have to hold onto something which makes moving easier without adding unnecessary pressure on certain parts of the body.

They make conditions in case of fire safer because they prevent people from falling off. This is especially important in various public buildings such as schools, hospitals and an important consideration when building your house.

What does a balustrade consist of?

There are different types of rails: glass, metals, wood and any other material that can be used to build them.

Balusters or spindles refer to small vertical pieces which go around railing. Their design depends on the whole building construction so for instance if you choose glass then it has to be designed accordingly with regard to its shape and size. Round shapes look better when combined with wooden guards while square ones fit better with iron bars for example. Decorative elements can also be added depending on the overall design.

What is a balustrade made of?

Balusters are most often built of wood, stone, concrete or other materials. Metals balusters are used when the element in question has to be fireproof. Wooden elements are most common. The balustrade material used depends on many factors e.g. location, function, colour etc. The height of a given baluster is determined by the space available. In most cases, the space between two consecutive row of balusters is about 300 millimeters. If a greater distance must be covered, it's recommended to use a pillar or additional metals for posts in order to keep things visually consistent and elegant at the same time. A standard ratio is one baluster for every 3 steps on stairs. The balustrade varies depending on use and type of stair but this proportion seems to be ideal in most cases considering ease of stair climbing or stair descent as well as aesthetic appearance.

What is the difference between a banister and a balustrade?

a banister is a handrail running along with the steps of a stairway. Decorative handrails are not always present but they don't carry any functional purpose, the rail is just there to make it easier for people to climb up and down safely by providing them with something to hold on to. A balustrade on the other hand, does both: it serves as a guard railing and provides support at the same time. Balustrades can be used inside rooms as well as outdoors where stairs or balcony is located. Balustrades originate from ancient times when architecture like temples were adorned by huge marble parapets decorated with stone-statues and other ornaments. Balustrades are built with a great deal of care and passion by numerous professionals whose skills allow them to create a wide range of beautiful decorative designs combining looks and functionality perfectly.

What materials are used for balustrades?

For balustrades, in most cases wooden elements are preferred but what about metals? They're very popular as well because they can be made either fireproof or frostproof depending on circumstances. Different types of glass balustrades contribute elegance, transparency and bright light in certain house interiors where it's often needed so badly. Your builder will be able to give you some great advice on which suits best.

What is a handrail?

A handrail can be made of metals or wood and it's often used as a railing to prevent people from falling down from certain heights. It's most often used on stairs but they can also be installed on balconies, fire escapes, terraces etc. They usually have row and columns of balusters attached to them which provide additional support for those who need it. Other guards are available as well: wall grills, window grills, posts and so on depending on the purpose they serve and the space where they're applied.

Are handrails and balustrades the same?

No, the balustrades and rail are not the same. A handrail is a railing that keeps people from falling down when they need to climb up or descend certain heights. A balustrade is a combination of both: it keeps people in and prevents them from falling off the edge at the same time by acting as a guard and providing support thanks to its design.

Many important building and architecture were decorated with marble parapets decorated with statues in ancient times. Some earliest examples of these ancient architectural features include assyrian palaces, sculptural murals, ancient bas-reliefs, etc. where balusters were used as architectural element.

Today we use different materials for designing balustrades but the idea behind them has remained unchanged over centuries: they contribute both visually and functionally to any interior ensemble making it modern, elegant and safe at the same time - whatever shape they have, whatever material is used for creating them what type of stairs or balcony. Queensland has a number of strict guidelines to follow when installing balustrades. Check to see if the same applies to your local area.

How long does it take to install a balustrade?

It depends on several features including the number of people involved, style of stairs etc. In most cases, installing a guard takes 1-3 days depending on the place and the style of stairs.

What are the common types of balustrades?

There are many different materials used for balustrades, each with its own unique design giving you countless options of balusters. Balconies and other outdoor areas can be decorated with glass parapets which contribute both to their visual attractiveness as well as safety because they make it easier for people to spot any dangers waiting for them down below. Fire escape stairs can also be fitted with similar constructions which comply with all local building regulations. This balustrade is popular from the renaissance period.

Are there different types of metal balustrade systems available?

There are different balustrade, but what type of balustrade is used depends on several factors including the place where it's installed, the number of people involved etc. Generally, low-cost guard solutions or extremely expensive ones are available depending on the circumstances. Working with iron balustrades is considerably more demanding than others because it's much harder to work with the material in comparison to wood or aluminium for example.

What are the benefits of metal over wooden parapets?

Here are some examples of the benefits of metal and wooden parapets.

Durability

Wood can easily deform especially when exposed to moisture, rain or snow; it's also flammable which isn't always a good thing when people are involved. High-quality metals don't really rust and they're usually suitable even in conditions where moisture may occur so they are perfect if you have a balcony especially near water or pools etc.

Safety

Iron rails are better because they're safer than other materials used for building posts, including wooden ones. It's also possible to design these materials in a way that deters people from climbing over them.

Cost

Iron is expensive because it's hard to produce and takes longer to do the job when compared with others. Iron is also much harder to work with it because of its weight, for example. On the other hand, aluminium is lighter which makes it easier for every worker involved in the installation process.

Do all balustrades need railings?

If balustrades are installed on balconies or terraces, their function is both aesthetic and functional at the same time so yes. The balustrade won't look very attractive without a railing attached. These balustrade are supported by row and small columns called balusters. However, if you need grillwork anyway then you can choose any style of railing you like without a guard such as a fence or a railing.