A balustrade is a name for that railing on a balcony, porch or terrace. It can be indoors or outdoors. The word comes from the French word balustre; from the Italian word balaustro and balaustra, wild pomegranate flower; from Latin balaustium from Greek balaustion; from its shape.

What's the difference between balustrade and railing?

is that railing is a fence or barrier consisting of one or more horizontal rails and vertical supports while balustrade is (architecture) a row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.

Is a balustrade the same as a banister?

A “balustrade” is a sequence of balusters that support a handrail. A “banister” (also spelled with two “n”s) is another name for a staircase baluster, but many architects and interior designers prefer to use the word “banister” to refer to a narrower, more modern support.

What is a railing called?

Handrail: what is a handrail? A handrail, also called a bannister, is what people hold onto for support when going up and down the staircase. The handrail is fixed to vertical posts (balusters) or a wall up one or both sides of the staircase.

Does a balustrade need a handrail?

In conclusion, balustrading needs to have a handrail when protecting a difference in height of more than 1000mm from the ground and one or two handrails when it is installed along a staircase.

Installing Stair Handrails and Balusters

Do I need a balustrade for my stairs?

A balustrade is required to any staircase, balcony, ramp, hallway, veranda, mezzanine or bridge were the potential to fall from the above mentioned area is 1000mm or greater to the surface below. The height of the balustrade on the pitch of the staircase must be not less than 865mm form the nosing line.

What is a balustrade and what is a handrail?

A balustrade is a railing (handrail) and the row of balusters (posts) that support it. ... A balustrade can also be known as railing, rail, banister, handrail and parapet. Balustrades are installed at the side/edge of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling.

What is a solid balustrade called?

Spindles—the vertical supports that sit between a handrail and base rail. Also known as a balustrade. Some staircases have glass panels, wooden panels or metal spindles instead of traditional timber spindles. ... solid, so metal spindles or glass brackets can be screwed directly onto them.

What is a balustrade wall?

balustrade, low screen formed by railings of stone, wood, metal, glass, or other materials and designed to prevent falls from roofs, balconies, terraces, stairways, and other elevated architectural elements. Fast Facts. Related Content. balustrade. Related Topics: wall.

What is balustrade in staircase?

The balustrade is the railing and baluster that prevents you from falling over the edge. It's also the collective name for the complete assembly of handrails, including spindles and newel posts. ... Handrail: This is the part of the staircase we use for support when going up and down the stairway.

What does a balustrade look like?

Found lining many staircases and terraces, a balustrade is a row of small columns topped by a rail. The term is derived from the form's constituent posts, called balusters, a name coined in 17th-century Italy for the bulbous item's resemblance to blossoming pomegranate flowers (balaustra in Italian).

Whats the difference between a spindle and a baluster?

A baluster and spindle is actually almost the same thing, but the word spindle is more commonly used because it is easier to remember and say. Balusters usually rest on a footing; this could be a step, floor or deck, whereas, spindles are supported by a horizontal rail at the bottom that is attached to the posts.

What are the railings on a porch called?

The entire railing system of your porch — called the balustrade — runs between the posts, and all the components need to work together so your porch is sound and secure.

What is balcony railing called?

Balustrade. A balustrade is a railing supported by a series of balusters. Balustrades are sometimes short and ornamental parapets (low, protective walls) found on balconies and terraces.

What type of building that features a balustrade?

The balustrade is a common classical method of crowning a building that has a flat/low-lying roof. ... (The classical block aesthetic is also known as "Beaux-Arts style", since it was developed principally by the French École des Beaux-Arts.)

What are the types of balustrade?

• Stainless Steel Balustrade. One of the most widely available balustrades in the market, stainless steel balustrade is also the perennial favourite in both residential and commercial properties. ...
• Wooden Balustrade. ...
• Glass Balustrade.

Who invented the balustrade?

Rudolf Wittkower withheld judgement as to the inventor of the baluster and credited Giuliano da Sangallo with using it consistently as early as the balustrade on the terrace and stairs at the Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano (c 1480), and used balustrades in his reconstructions of antique structures.

What is open balustrade?

Open rail systems come in lots of styles and sizes. In broad terms, the systems are either open tread (where balusters sit directly on the tread) or knee wall (where balusters sit on a little curb wall that covers the ends of the treads).

What are baluster legs?

Balusters are those vertical, vase-like posts or legs on railings that can be made of wood, iron, stone, or other materials. ... The word comes from the French word balustre; from the Italian word balaustro and balaustra, wild pomegranate flower; from Latin balaustium from Greek balaustion; from its shape.

Is it illegal not to have a handrail on stairs?

Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this. Handrails should be placed between 900mm and 1000mm above the highest point on the staircase steps.

Can you have stairs without a railing?

Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if the stairs are less than 1 metre wide. A handrail on both sides of the stairs will be required if the stair width is greater than this. You do not need a handrail on the first two bottom steps.

How many steps can you have without a railing?

(2) Stairways having less than four risers need not have handrails or stair railings.

What is a stair spindle?

Balusters are the narrow rods or spindles that provide vertical support for the stair railing. They also act as a protective guard that prevents children from falling through the gap between the treads and the handrail. ... Single Knuckle and Plain Straight Balusters from the Versatile Series.

Do balusters support the railing?

Balusters are more than just attractive aesthetic additions to railings. They serve several purposes within a railing's overall structure. First, balusters support the handrail. Balusters also close the gaps between posts, acting as safety features by eliminating excess space through which someone could fall.