24 Mar Design Tips to Consider When Buying a Balustrade

Whether you are redesigning an area of your home or building from scratch, balustrades are a consideration that must be factored in. Aside from meeting the necessary building regulations, balustrades can also be a standout feature and help add to the character of your home. We have some tips you should consider before purchasing a balustrade for your home, to ensure you will be happy with the end result.

The Space

Perhaps the most important consideration is where you will be adding the balustrades. Is it inside or outside? If it is outside, environmentally resilient materials are crucial. Think high grade stainless steel or aluminium products that are durable to varying weather conditions. If you live by the coast there are additional considerations, so check this article out. If you are opting for privacy outside and you don’t mind forfeiting a breeze, then you may prefer a more solid structure balustrade system.

Is it adjoining a narrow space like a small balcony or staircase? Working with a small space means that every inch is important. Wire and glass balustrades can to be space savers. These areas also tend to be places people put their hands frequently. Aaron Beattie, Director at HHH Architects tells us “We like to use timber in these areas as it feels nicer to touch than say metal”. The combination of vertical wire balustrades and a timber handrail is great for these high traffic areas, as you also avoid dirty hand prints that you can expect to see on glass.

Aesthetics

Think about what you want to achieve by adding a balustrade system to your home. Is it purely to satisfy the building requirements your home? Do you have safety concerns for your children or pets? Once you have addressed the requisite questions, it’s time to consider how the balustrades will flow with the rest of your space.

Glass balustrades are aesthetically pleasing as they let a lot of light into the area and are great for a contemporary design. Although bear in mind that glass can encourage heat into the area and can be difficult to keep clean, especially if you have children.

Stainless Steel Wire Balustrades allow for a lot of customising which is appealing for many households. If you have a colour scheme, often the handrails can be powder coated to meet your design and colour requirements. Wire balustrades also allow rooms to flow together, which means more ventilation and light through the home. And because they don’t obstruct views, they are a great option for balconies or upstairs areas of the home. Vertical wire tends to be the best option as horizontal wire balustrades present many safety and legal issues.

Australian hardwood handrails can be a great addition to any balustrade design. This organic material adds a lovely homely feel by carrying the native landscape through to your home. This is a great addition to a country style homes or can act as a feature to an otherwise modern home. This material is very on trend, and can add a lovely personality to an otherwise plain space.

to meet your design and colour requirements. Wire balustrades also allow rooms to flow together, which means more ventilation and light through the home. And because they don’t obstruct views, they are a great option for balconies or upstairs areas of the home. Vertical wire tends to be the best option as horizontal wire balustrades present many safety and legal issues.

Australian hardwood handrails can be a great addition to any balustrade design. This organic material adds a lovely homely feel by carrying the native landscape through to your home. This is a great addition to a country style homes or can act as a feature to an otherwise modern home. This material is very on trend, and can add a lovely personality to an otherwise plain space.

Long Term Maintenance

Something that often gets forgotten at the time of ordering is how easy the material will be to maintain long term. Does the surface need constant cleaning or rust protection? Are the wires self tensioning? Furthermore, If something goes wrong you want peace of mind that you are covered for replacement or repair within a decent amount of time after purchase. Check with the supplier what warranty they offer and if it covers the entire structure or only certain parts. Sentrel offer a generous seven year warranty on their products, which ensures peace of mind for customers in the event of any defects.
 

If you have any other questions, contact Sentrel and we can help. You can reach us at 1300 658 330, email us at jen@sentrel.com.au or complete our online enquiry form.