See how others have designed their stair balustrades, glass balustrades for terraces and frameless balustrades for balconies. Find inspiration in modern, classic and discreet solutions, each with its own character.
Browse our frequently asked questions and answers, or contact one of our specialists, who are happy to help.
A wire balustrade consists of tensioned wires between posts, creating an open design that takes up little visual space. The wires are made from corrosion-resistant AISI 316 stainless steel and held taut using fixings and adjustable tensioners. The tension can be adjusted during installation and later if needed.
Wire balustrades suit decking, jetties and stairs where you want an open appearance. On staircases, the wires and fixings are adapted to the slope. Maintenance is straightforward: wipe the wires as needed and periodically check the wires, fixings and tensioners. Remember that horizontal wires may be easy for young children to climb.
The difference is how each type of steel resists corrosion and how the surface looks. Stainless steel gains its corrosion resistance from its alloy composition, while galvanised steel has a protective zinc coating. The right choice depends on the environment, appearance and upkeep required. Both can be used outdoors where appropriate.
Stainless steel has a metallic finish that can be brushed or polished, with good corrosion resistance. Galvanised steel has a grey, more industrial appearance. Its zinc coating provides protection, including some protection around minor scratches, but the coating must be maintained. Both materials need cleaning in exposed conditions, and neither is ideal for every setting.
Yes, stainless steel can develop rust-coloured spots and discolouration despite its name. Often, these are caused by airborne iron particles settling on the surface and corroding. Small brown marks do not necessarily mean that the stainless steel itself is corroding.
Salt deposits, accumulated dirt and cleaning with steel wool can also cause discolouration. Stainless steel has a protective surface layer that can reform when the surface is kept clean, so clean as needed and remove marks promptly. In coastal areas, AISI 316 or 316L stainless steel is often used. Stainless steel resists corrosion but is not completely immune to it.
Clean a stainless steel balustrade with lukewarm water, a mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water. Avoid steel wool, metal brushes and abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface or leave iron particles that cause discolouration. Cleaning frequency depends on the environment.
In sheltered locations, cleaning when the balustrade looks dirty is often sufficient, while installations near the sea or busy roads may need more frequent washing. Clean brushed steel in the direction of the grain and wipe down visible surfaces afterwards. Small brown spots are often caused by airborne iron particles from the surrounding environment rather than corrosion of the balustrade itself.
On a dock, the railing needs to withstand moisture, water splashes, and—on the coast—salt. Aluminium and acid-resistant stainless steel are common choices, with glass or wire as the infill, depending on how much windbreak and a view you want. The right material ensures that the railing stays attractive for a long time.
Powder-coated Aluminium is lightweight and durable, and stainless steel AISI 316 stainless steel gives a maritime look and resists salt. Wire preserves the view, while glass reduces wind and splashes. Screws and hardware must be able to withstand the same environment as the railing to prevent corrosion between different metals. For a floating dock, the dock’s movement and load must be taken into account during the planning phase.
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Your choice of fixing makes a big difference to the overall appearance. There are two different installation methods to choose from when you order a Tenso wire balustrade:
Tenso is a stainless steel wire balustrade that can be configured with your choice of top rail, fixings and dimensions to suit the setting and your preferences. Our configurator shows how each choice affects its appearance and price.
Vertical bars
Wire balustrade
Wire balustrade with glass
Horizontal bars, Top rail
Horizontal bars, Without top rail
2 Wires
3 Wires
4 Wires
5 Wires
6 Wires
7 Wires
8 Wires
Round stainless steel, 42 mm
Round Oak, 43 mm
Round Jatoba, 43 mmTenso It’s the obvious choice for anyone who wants an unobstructed view without having to clean the glass. It’s a stainless steel wire balustrade that creates an open feeling on your patio or timber decking, while requiring minimal maintenance. The system is delivered made to measure kit, ready to be installed on your patio.
Important: Because the wires run horizontally, the balustrade can be climbed. We therefore recommend Tenso only for installations close to ground level where a compliant fall-protection barrier is not required.
The railing is made of acid-resistant stainless steel stainless steel (AISI 316) to withstand salty air and harsh outdoor environments. The sleek design also serves as a room divider indoors and can be combined with top rail wooden or stainless steel panels.
Tenso Delivered as a complete kit, made to measure to your order. All parts are pre-drilled and ready for installation on timber decking, concrete, or other flat surfaces. Screws, fasteners, and installation templates are included in the delivery.
Here's how it works:
You select the fixing method directly in the configurator, based on where the rail will be installed:
All options have been tested to ensure they meet safety requirements in various environments and on different surfaces.
Below are clips from some of our installation videos. Once you've placed your order, you'll receive links to videos showing how to install the balustrade with the specific parts you've chosen.
Tenso is manufactured at our facility in Ängelholm. By handling both design and production in-house, we ensure that every railing is of high quality and comes with a declaration of performance that details its technical characteristics.
The manufacturing process is certified under EN 1090-1, which means that production is continuously monitored by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) to ensure traceability and quality through external oversight.
The railing is manufactured exclusively from acid-resistant stainless steel stainless steel (AISI 316) to ensure long-lasting durability in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Here you'll find technical specifications, dimensions, assembly instructions, and performance declarations for Tenso.
This information provides a clear picture of how the railing is constructed and helps you plan, compare, and install the right solution for your project.
Load-tested posts
The posts have been tested with top-mounted fixings on timber substrates and can withstand a load of 0.5–1.0 kN/m.
Round profiles, Ø 42 mm
Round posts made of stainless steel with a diameter of 42 mm. For indoor use: AISI 304 and for outdoor use: AISI 316.
stainless steel AISI 304/316 steel
If your is installed indoors, use the version available at, designated as. If, on the other hand, it is to be installed outdoors, use AISI 316 instead, which is steel. wire balustrade stainless posts AISI 304 acid-resistant stainless steel
Wire Ø 4 mm
Wires is made of stainless steel with a diameter of 4 mm and acid-resistant AISI 316.
Material thickness 2 mm
Stainless top rail
Round top rail in stainless steel (Ø 42 mm). AISI 304 for indoor use and AISI 316 for outdoor use. Fittings are included for any corners.
Timber top rail
Round top rail (Ø 43 mm) in untreated light oak or jatoba (a hardwood with properties and an appearance similar to teak).
Angles
If there are any corners on the railing, adjust the wooden crossbar yourself. This ensures a precise fit. For stainless top rail at angles greater than 90 degrees, corner brackets are included.
Symmetrical Sections
When you enter your measurements in our configurator, you always specify the edge dimensions at the location where you want the railing installed. Our configurator then makes the necessary adjustments. For your railing, we then adjust the section dimensions so that each section on either side is the same length. In other words, we customise the railing to fit your measurements—not the other way around.
Choice of balustrade height
In the configurator, choose a height from 800 to 1,100 mm, measured from the floor to the top of the balustrade. Check the appropriate height for your installation against the relevant local requirements, particularly where there is a fall risk.
Made to the millimetre
When you provide your measurements, please be as precise as possible—down to the millimetre. We’ll craft your railing to the millimetre so that it fits perfectly in the spot where you want to install it.
Top mounting
The base is secured to the floor with 4 screws.
Top rail with or without wall fixing
If the balustrade meets a wall, you can also choose to fix the top rail to the wall. This can make the structure slightly more stable.
Screw for timber fixing
If you choose to fix into timber, screws are included for this purpose. The screw is made of hardened steel and, for outdoor use, is also surface-treated with Corrseal—Corrosion Class C4. The screw features a milled groove along the shank and one at the tip. This results in a very low screw-in torque in harder wood and minimizes cracking.
Screw for concrete fixing
If you choose to fix into concrete, screws for this purpose are included. The screw is made of hardened steel and, for outdoor use, is also surface-treated with Corrseal—Corrosivity Class C4. Approved for use in cracked concrete, uncracked concrete, and hollow-core slabs.
Also suitable for solid brick, hollow brick, solid Mexi brick, and natural stone. For fixing in materials other than wood or concrete, we recommend contacting your local hardware store.
Complete kit
Our shipment includes everything you need for assembly. In addition to posts, hinges, and top rail, it also includes all screws, drill bits, and any special tools required. If you have a screwdriver, a wrench, a folding rule, and a spirit level, you really don’t need anything else.
Assembly Videos and Instructions
The videos show various steps to help you with your assembly. Our assembly tips and videos are customised for each order. In other words, these are not general descriptions but are tailored specifically to your order.
Stainless Steel Components
Since stainless steel, despite its name, is not corrosion-resistant, all stainless components must be maintained and cleaned 1–3 times a year. If the railing is installed in a coastal environment, cleaning and treatment may need to be performed more frequently. Clean the surfaces with lukewarm water and a mild detergent using a soft cloth.
Timber top rail
If the railing is to be installed outdoors, we recommend cleaning the top rail and then sanding it with fine-grit sandpaper. Treat top rail with a wood preservative such as wood oil or similar, depending on the prevailing conditions. For indoor installation, only cleaning and light sanding are required. Treatment with wood oil or similar can be done if desired. All oak contains tannic acid in varying amounts, depending on the wood’s moisture content. This is because tannic acid prevents the wood from rotting. When your oaktop rail or handrail is exposed to moisture for the first time in an outdoor environment, tannic acid is released, which can cause discoloration on the surface it rests on. Therefore, we recommend oiling the wood or, alternatively, applying oxalic acid during installation to reduce the release of tannic acid. Oxalic acid can also be used to clean up discoloration on the surface. Consult your paint supplier before using oxalic acid. To keep the wood looking its best, we also recommend oiling it once a year.
Measurement
Measure from the nosing of the top step to the nosing of the bottom step.
Optional balustrade height
The staircase balustrade is the same height as the rest of the balustrade.
Made to the millimetre
When you provide your stair measurements, please be as precise as possible—down to the millimetre. We’ll craft your railing to the millimetre to ensure it fits perfectly in the spot where you want to install it.
Our A+, A, B and C use classes provide guidance on where a particular balustrade configuration may be suitable. They draw on our product testing and take into account factors such as the chosen height, section width and components. These are our own product classifications, not UK building regulation categories. The installation must also meet the requirements that apply at its location.
Use class A+
Our A+ configuration is documented for a minimum horizontal line load of 1 kN/m. The suitability of a particular balustrade for a residential, commercial or public setting depends on the complete configuration and the requirements of the installation site. Where glass is included, the specified safety glazing should be assessed as part of the whole system.
Use class A
Our A configuration is documented for a minimum horizontal line load of 0.5 kN/m. Whether that configuration is suitable for a particular residential installation depends on the site and its applicable requirements. Where glass is included, the specified safety glazing forms part of the overall system.
Class B
Class B railings are suitable for use in environments where the height difference between the floor and the ground is 0.5–3 metres. Our Class B railings can withstand a minimum linear load of 0.5 kN/m, and when the railing includes glass, this acts as a “ safety glass ” that prevents injury in the event of an impact.
Class C
Class C railings are suitable for use at ground level. If the railing includes glass, it is a “ safety glass ” that prevents personal injury in the event of an impact. A balustrade can be classified as Class C if Balustradedesign, in collaboration with you as the customer, makes a modification to the railing that deviates from our standard design. A Class C classification indicates that this specific configuration has not been tested.
