What Is A Balustrade?

A balustrade is like a sturdy fence that you often see on stairs, around balconies, or enclosing patios. It’s made up of a series of short posts called balusters, which are topped by a long railing that you can hold onto or lean against. It helps to keep people safe by preventing falls from high places, and it also adds a nice touch of style to buildings and homes, making them look more polished and complete. Depending on what it’s made of — could be wood, metal, or even glass — a balustrade can give a simple or fancy look to suit any place.

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What’s the Difference Between a Balustrade and Baluster?

Feature	Balustrade	Baluster
Definition	A balustrade is a complete system or barrier consisting of a series of balusters, a railing on top, and sometimes a bottom rail.	A baluster is a single vertical post or leg that supports the railing within a balustrade.
Purpose	The primary purpose of a balustrade is to serve as a safety barrier and provide hand support on staircases, balconies, and decks.	The baluster serves to support the handrail and to make up part of the physical barrier that the balustrade forms.
Installation	The balustrade is installed as a collective structure with multiple components assembled together along the edge of a staircase or elevated area.	Balusters are individually placed and spaced between the top rail and the bottom rail (if present) or the floor surface.
Design Element	As a comprehensive unit, the balustrade is a key architectural element that adds aesthetic value and complements the design of a building or space.	Balusters can be decorative elements on their own, with various shapes and designs that contribute to the overall look of the balustrade.
Materials Used	Balustrades can be constructed using a variety of materials including wood, metal, glass, or stone, depending on the desired appearance and functionality.	Balusters are typically made from the same material as the balustrade but can sometimes feature a combination of materials for a unique look.
Structure	The balustrade is made up of several parts: balusters, handrail (and sometimes a bottom rail), and newel posts for structural integrity at the ends or turns.	Balusters are simply the vertical components and do not encompass the other necessary parts of a full balustrade structure.

What Does a Balustrade Do?

A balustrade is far more than just an ornamental feature; it offers several functional benefits that are key to any structure it accompanies:

Safety Barrier: The most crucial role of a balustrade is to act as a safety barrier to prevent people from falling off staircases, balconies, or elevated platforms.
Support: It provides a sturdy handgrip or support for individuals ascending or descending stairs, aiding in balance and stability.
Defines Spaces: Balustrades help in dividing and defining spaces within open-plan areas, without disrupting the visual flow of the space.

Design Element: They serve as an aesthetic element that contributes to the architectural style of a building or landscape. With numerous design options, they can complement the décor and enhance the property’s overall appeal.
Adds Value: A well-designed balustrade can increase the property value by enhancing its visual appeal and ensuring safety standards are met.
Boundary Setting: In gardens and outdoor spaces, balustrades can mark boundaries clearly, without the imposing feel of a solid wall.
Privacy: Depending on the design, they can offer a level of privacy to balconies and outdoor areas while still allowing light and air to flow through.

Framed and Frameless Glass Balustrade for Your Staircase

A glass balustrade has an uncanny ability to sing a different tune when it comes to your staircase. In fact, it has become quite suitable for both commercial and domestic establishments.

If you hanker after a polished, glossy, and modern glass balustrade design that would flesh out the beauty of your own home then you have come to right place. It can be a train wreck depending on the quality of equipment used or an element of exquisiteness and glamor. At, Art Metal Workshop, we make sure it is the latter as we provide our customers top-notch structural glass balustrade specially crafted for your staircase.

And on top of that, there are scores of choices that differ in colors and styles you can choose from. Whether you like, a framed external glass balustrade or the exact opposite which is the frameless one, Art Metal Workshop has got you everything covered to help complement the charm and extravagance of your building.

Unlike any other, our framed and frameless glass balustrades can also be utilized by people in their respective homes to help beautify and magnify your house. Because we value the inputs of our customers, Art Metal Workshop can also customize an internal glass balustrade that would satisfy your personal taste.

Framed glass balustrades designed by Artmetal workshop always include handrails which play a crucial role on the caliber of the structure, making it more sturdy and cost-effective while the frameless glass balustrades at Art Metal Workshop are extraordinarily apt and nifty for traditional or modern artistic choice.

Find a marvelous stairwell displaying a dazzling and flamboyant stainless steel glass balustrade by giving Art Metal Workshop a call. Also, you can find a wide range of safe ready-made products we offer on our website. Contact us to learn about current prices.

Glass Balustrade

Glass Balustrade for Staircase: Supportive Elements and Installation Hints

Exterior glass balustrade systems are usually installed on external or internal staircases, giving them the whole new transparent look. The usage of toughened glass staircase railings is becoming more and more popular, as people find more advantages in the material. Glass does not corrode and is highly resistant to any surprises of the weather of Toronto. It also does not need much maintenance, just cleaning dust from it every now and then. Due to its transparency, it is convenient to use in homes where space is limited or where the light should not be blocked.

With the popularity growth, glass balustrade systems are getting new designs to fit the needs of customers, according to our designers at Art Metal Workshop. Now you can get all kinds of metal or wooden frames for your glass panels. You can also order frameless balustrade with curved glass to deform the view or make it less transparent with the frosted-like finish.

Glass Balustrade for Staircase

Seamless glass balustrade for stairs suits most types of steps, regardless of whether they were installed before or after the railings. Both timber and concrete staircases will look fresh and modern with some high-tech-looking glass handrails. You can use different finishes of the panels to create your own design and make an ordinary staircase a real part of a modern interior or exterior of the house.

Contact us to learn about the current glass balustrade cost. Also, you can visit our website. Add a desired model to your cart and enter your contacts, and our sellers will reach you. You do not need to sign up to make a purchase on our website. Our managers will gladly help you with advice on upgrading your house style with a unique tempered glass railing item. You also learn about tempered glass quantities.

Glass Balustrade Details and Supportive Elements

To install the balustrade, you will need certain glass railing hardware, like fixings and brackets. There are different types of these elements that help you create the support for both framed and frameless glass panels. You can choose mirror-like or fully concealed fixing, depending on the design you choose. As for brackets, there also are multiple options: round, square, with mirror finish or without it, etc.

Supportive elements for the balustrade are the posts it is installed on and the glass panels that act as balusters. The posts are keeping the balustrade on the right level and act as the main supportive force. The panels are installed under the balustrade and act as the main protective and decorative elements of the construction.

Recommendations on the Installation

The main recommendation is to be as careful as possible when installing glass balustrade kit yourself. The level of security and aesthetic beauty of the product fully depends upon the quality of the installation. If you feel like you will not manage to install glass balustrade, make sure to contact us for help. Also, note, that glass elements you order must not be cut or modified in any way without professional supervision.

FAQs About Glass Balustrades

How long do glass balustrades last?

Glass balustrades typically last for several decades. The durability depends on factors such as the quality of glass and hardware, environmental conditions, and maintenance levels. Properly maintained, they can last for over 20 years.

Can glass balustrades break?

Glass balustrades can break if subjected to heavy impact or if they are not installed correctly. Using tempered or laminated glass reduces the risk as these types are stronger and, when they do break, they crumble into smaller, less harmful pieces.

What is the maximum gap between glass balustrades?

Regulations may vary, but commonly the gap should be no more than 100mm (about 4 inches) to prevent accidents or falls. Always check with local building codes and standards for specific requirements.

How do you clean glass balustrades?

To clean glass balustrades, start by wiping off dust and dirt with a soft cloth. Then, use a glass cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to clean the glass. Wipe with a squeegee or a clean, lint-free cloth for a streak-free finish. Avoid abrasive cleaners that can scratch the glass.

Does a glass balustrade need to be laminated?

Yes, a glass balustrade should be laminated or toughened for safety purposes. Laminated glass holds together when shattered, and toughened glass increases strength and reduces the likelihood of breakage.

What are the disadvantages of a glass balustrade?

Glass balustrades with disadvantages such as a higher cost, the need for regular cleaning to maintain clarity, the potential to break under significant impact, lack of privacy unless treated, and requiring specialized installation.