Renovating
Money-Saving Measures for Balustrades
When it comes to that balustrade you have your eye on, cutting costs needn't mean you have to compromise on style
Are you searching for that ‘look’ for your balustrade but not sure if you can meet budget? As an architect, I juggle the priorities of budget versus design on a daily basis, and it is often balustrades that are the first to be simplified. Remember that small savings can add up to big ones. This story investigates inspiring balustrades with tips that can help you achieve what you are looking for with a more economical option.
Straight off the shelf
It would be wonderful to design your own stainless steel fittings for your balustrade, but, of course, this would come at a cost.
The handrail on the Kew Residence is discrete, and my clients saved thousands of dollars by using this proprietary system rather than having something engineered. The parts used to fix the vertical louvres are also a proprietary system.
It would be wonderful to design your own stainless steel fittings for your balustrade, but, of course, this would come at a cost.
The handrail on the Kew Residence is discrete, and my clients saved thousands of dollars by using this proprietary system rather than having something engineered. The parts used to fix the vertical louvres are also a proprietary system.
A handrail with two uses
To comply with building regulations, you may need a handrail. There are fittings available that can act as both a handrail and top rail, which will add additional stability to a glass balustrade.
See more of the Larkin Residence
To comply with building regulations, you may need a handrail. There are fittings available that can act as both a handrail and top rail, which will add additional stability to a glass balustrade.
See more of the Larkin Residence
Scott Weston Architecture Design has employed a simple yet elegant balustrade on the stair design at Rozelle Cottage. The horizontal members tie the balusters together and act as a handrail, eliminating the need for another independent handrail. The main balusters and intermediate balusters could be made from a powder coat steel, in profiles that come ready made.
Our clients in the Northcote Residence required plenty of shelving for books, which created a terrific design challenge. By incorporating the shelving into the walls of the stairs, we were able to eliminate the need for a handrail. The stairs in this project are often sprawled with budding readers.
Keeping it natural
Stairs with solid stringers are generally more economical than floating or exposed treads. Monster Ideas Architects uses a solid stringer for the design of the stair in the Souvlis House in the same timber as the floors, balusters and handrail. The design is elegant yet traditional.
Stairs with solid stringers are generally more economical than floating or exposed treads. Monster Ideas Architects uses a solid stringer for the design of the stair in the Souvlis House in the same timber as the floors, balusters and handrail. The design is elegant yet traditional.
Standard sizes
Consider using standard-sized timber battens for balusters. The Glebe House is simplicity to perfection. This balustrade is broken up by protruding treads or boxes, however, the shadow of a more economical stair behind these battens could also be very appealing.
See more designs by Nobbs Radford Architects
Consider using standard-sized timber battens for balusters. The Glebe House is simplicity to perfection. This balustrade is broken up by protruding treads or boxes, however, the shadow of a more economical stair behind these battens could also be very appealing.
See more designs by Nobbs Radford Architects
Tried and tested
Architect Matt Elkan‘s design for the balustrade at the Ozone House in Sydney demonstrates that simple is sometimes best. Using solid horizontal members means maintenance on wires is eliminated and the solid rail on top ties the material palette together.
Architect Matt Elkan‘s design for the balustrade at the Ozone House in Sydney demonstrates that simple is sometimes best. Using solid horizontal members means maintenance on wires is eliminated and the solid rail on top ties the material palette together.
Eliminate the need for a balustrade
Consider other options outside the box including windows rather than balustrades. The Centennial Park House demonstrates that a wall of louvre windows will allow uninterrupted views and a contiguous facade without the need for a handrail or balustrade, as the distance between the louvres complies with building regulations.
Consider other options outside the box including windows rather than balustrades. The Centennial Park House demonstrates that a wall of louvre windows will allow uninterrupted views and a contiguous facade without the need for a handrail or balustrade, as the distance between the louvres complies with building regulations.
Plasterboard balustrades
Plasterboard is about as inexpensive as you will find, as long as your design is simple and doesn’t deal with bends and twists. The balustrade in the remodelled Spruson Street house is recessive to the beautifully crafted traditional handrail. Handrails can be made up in sections or in pre-moulded lengths.
FINAL TIP: If you can find a balustrade professional in your area, they will have a series of proprietary systems including panels and fittings straight from a catalogue. Then the challenge is customising these standard items to create your own inspiring balustrade.
YOUR SAY
Are you considering a feature balustrade for your next project? Tell us about it or show us your home’s balustrade by leaving a comment.
MORE
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
On the Way Up: Stairs That Elevate to a New Level
Weekend Project: A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Flights of Fancy: 15 Amazing Staircase Designs
Plasterboard is about as inexpensive as you will find, as long as your design is simple and doesn’t deal with bends and twists. The balustrade in the remodelled Spruson Street house is recessive to the beautifully crafted traditional handrail. Handrails can be made up in sections or in pre-moulded lengths.
FINAL TIP: If you can find a balustrade professional in your area, they will have a series of proprietary systems including panels and fittings straight from a catalogue. Then the challenge is customising these standard items to create your own inspiring balustrade.
YOUR SAY
Are you considering a feature balustrade for your next project? Tell us about it or show us your home’s balustrade by leaving a comment.
MORE
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
On the Way Up: Stairs That Elevate to a New Level
Weekend Project: A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Flights of Fancy: 15 Amazing Staircase Designs
Frameless glass balustrades add an element of ‘wow’ to a project, however, they come at a price. Apart from the cost of labour and glass, which often needs to be toughened and laminated to comply with building code, they also need to be engineered, adding the cost of a specialist consultant. By adding a thin rail to the top of a handrail, you may be able to eliminate this added cost. Watershed Design has a few different glass balustrade styles for its design for the Caringbah 01 Residence.