Balustrades are Raising the Bar in the Architectural World
A guide to a structural and decorative framework that's stepping up from offering mere function to providing homes with real flair
A balustrade is primarily designed for safety and support when ascending and descending stairs. However, these days balustrade design has stepped far beyond its original purpose, rising to become a standout architectural feature. Composed of timber, metal or glass, balustrades are designed as contemporary, traditional or modern forms that, as well as providing safety, add visual and physical balance to stairs. Here’s a guide to the many types of balustrade you might find in a home today.
What is a balustrade for?
The balustrade provides a support for users to grip when ascending or descending the stairs, reducing their chances of falling, helping them to maintain balance or giving them extra momentum. The balustrade also encloses a staircase so that users don’t tumble off the side, which is especially important for children and the elderly.
The balustrade provides a support for users to grip when ascending or descending the stairs, reducing their chances of falling, helping them to maintain balance or giving them extra momentum. The balustrade also encloses a staircase so that users don’t tumble off the side, which is especially important for children and the elderly.
What are typical balustrade materials?
Glass, metal, wood and plasterboard are four materials of choice when it comes to balustrades. The decision of which to use is strongly influenced by the desired style. In some cases, two materials can be combined, as in this balustrade that has glass panels and a metal handrail that appears to almost hover above the floating stairs.
Be inspired by this gallery of statement stairs
Glass, metal, wood and plasterboard are four materials of choice when it comes to balustrades. The decision of which to use is strongly influenced by the desired style. In some cases, two materials can be combined, as in this balustrade that has glass panels and a metal handrail that appears to almost hover above the floating stairs.
Be inspired by this gallery of statement stairs
Wood
A wooden balustrade is a classic option and can suit traditional and contemporary aesthetics as well as everything in between. The choice of timber, paint, and simple or ornate design will contribute to the overall look and feel.
Here, a dark wood balustrade has been designed in a very straightforward manner, with the balusters positioned very closely together. The aesthetic is solid and sturdy while still being modern and sophisticated.
A wooden balustrade is a classic option and can suit traditional and contemporary aesthetics as well as everything in between. The choice of timber, paint, and simple or ornate design will contribute to the overall look and feel.
Here, a dark wood balustrade has been designed in a very straightforward manner, with the balusters positioned very closely together. The aesthetic is solid and sturdy while still being modern and sophisticated.
Metal
The choice of metal, whether it be aluminium, wrought iron, steel, or other, can inject a staircase with contemporary or industrial appeal, and while metal may be a more expensive option than timber it is generally a more stable and lighter-looking choice too. This metal balustrade is traditional in style, but the contemporary and elegant look enhances the verticality of the stacked shelving underneath the stairs.
The choice of metal, whether it be aluminium, wrought iron, steel, or other, can inject a staircase with contemporary or industrial appeal, and while metal may be a more expensive option than timber it is generally a more stable and lighter-looking choice too. This metal balustrade is traditional in style, but the contemporary and elegant look enhances the verticality of the stacked shelving underneath the stairs.
Glass
Visually, the lightest option is glass, which offers full transparency and minimal obstruction. However, glass does show up smudges and marks and requires more maintenance than its metal and timber counterparts. This balustrade has a metal handrail affixed to the glass panels to provide extra support and space for a sturdier grip.
Is it the end of the glass balustrade?
Visually, the lightest option is glass, which offers full transparency and minimal obstruction. However, glass does show up smudges and marks and requires more maintenance than its metal and timber counterparts. This balustrade has a metal handrail affixed to the glass panels to provide extra support and space for a sturdier grip.
Is it the end of the glass balustrade?
Plasterboard
A plasterboard balustrade visually and physically encloses the staircase with a wall-like structure whether it be full height or half height, like the one pictured here. The top of the wall serves as a grip for support, in addition to the handrail on the other wall.
A plasterboard balustrade visually and physically encloses the staircase with a wall-like structure whether it be full height or half height, like the one pictured here. The top of the wall serves as a grip for support, in addition to the handrail on the other wall.
What are popular balustrade styles?
Hampered only by creativity, balustrades come in a variety of designs to suit aesthetics and budgets.
Hampered only by creativity, balustrades come in a variety of designs to suit aesthetics and budgets.
Panel and handrail
This balustrade combines glass panels with a blocky timber handrail and posts. The look is slimline and modern and suits the youthful feel of this house.
This balustrade combines glass panels with a blocky timber handrail and posts. The look is slimline and modern and suits the youthful feel of this house.
Timber and metal combine in this ‘coded’ balustrade. The space between the metal handrail and posts is filled with plywood panels that have been machined to feature the names of each family member in Morse code.
Post and handrail
The combination of vertical posts and handrail is the most traditional of balustrade styles. In wood, metal or a combination of the two, a handrail sits atop a series of upright posts. This sophisticated balustrade has a white wooden framework with wrought iron posts and a timber handrail.
The combination of vertical posts and handrail is the most traditional of balustrade styles. In wood, metal or a combination of the two, a handrail sits atop a series of upright posts. This sophisticated balustrade has a white wooden framework with wrought iron posts and a timber handrail.
This balustrade is still technically comprised of posts and a handrail, however there are less posts and they are spaced out to allow for metal rails in between. The rails follow the incline of the stairs, creating a light and contemporary look.
Columns and handrail
These balustrades also make use of the post and rail system, however, the posts are on one side of the staircase and ascend all the way to the ceiling, while the rail is on the other side of the staircase affixed to the wall. In this way, the rail on the wall provides the support and the posts enclose the staircase to prevent falls.
These balustrades also make use of the post and rail system, however, the posts are on one side of the staircase and ascend all the way to the ceiling, while the rail is on the other side of the staircase affixed to the wall. In this way, the rail on the wall provides the support and the posts enclose the staircase to prevent falls.
Full or half wall
In contrast to the glass that offers transparency, a full or half plasterboard wall encloses a staircase. When it is a half wall, the top of the plasterboard can be used to grip or steady oneself; it also provides for a stairwell that is still light and airy, and this can also be aided by additional space between the steps of the stairs, as seen here.
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What style balustrade does your staircase have? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
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In contrast to the glass that offers transparency, a full or half plasterboard wall encloses a staircase. When it is a half wall, the top of the plasterboard can be used to grip or steady oneself; it also provides for a stairwell that is still light and airy, and this can also be aided by additional space between the steps of the stairs, as seen here.
TELL US
What style balustrade does your staircase have? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse more stunning staircases
A balustrade, also known as a banister, is the structure at the side of a staircase or around an open and elevated level. A balustrade comprises a handrail and supporting structures traditionally known as balusters. Multiple balusters are called a balustrade, hence the name.