The fixing method you choose can have a significant effect on the appearance of your balustrade. Several mounting options are available when ordering.
A suitable pool balustrade should provide a clear boundary, good visibility and components appropriate for a damp environment. Glass balustrades are popular because they preserve views across the pool area while offering some wind shelter, making the space more comfortable to use.
Posts, fittings and fixings around pools should be selected to suit moisture and exposure to pool chemicals. Appropriate grades of stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium may be suitable depending on the environment. Consider child safety, climbing risks, openings and gates when planning the layout. A balustrade never replaces supervision of children; check the relevant local pool safety requirements.
A DoP, or Declaration of Performance, describes the declared performance of a construction product with respect to the characteristics covered by the relevant product standard. It is prepared by the manufacturer and used in conjunction with other technical documentation to assess the product’s characteristics.
Technical information for our balustrade systems is available on the relevant product pages. Depending on the product, this includes Declarations of Performance, technical drawings, installation instructions and information about use classes. This documentation is important for project design, new builds and inspections. A Declaration of Performance does not automatically mean a product is suitable for every application.
Balustrade height depends on local building regulations, how the space is used and the potential fall height. The material alone does not determine the required height – the same principle applies to glass, aluminium, stainless steel and wrought-iron-style balustrades.
Check the requirements that apply where the balustrade will be installed and ensure it is designed for the level of fall risk.
A roof terrace or elevated balcony may need a higher balustrade than an area close to ground level, while an area used by children may have different requirements from an infrequently used landing. Where a top rail is fitted, the overall finished height, including the top rail, must match the height specified for the balustrade. Made-to-measure posts must not be shortened after delivery. Enter your required height in the configurator.
The required strength of a balustrade depends on where it will be used and the loads it may be subjected to. The complete system – posts, infill, fixings and supporting structure – must be able to withstand those loads. Strength cannot be determined from a single material alone, and there is no one weight limit that applies to every balustrade.
Requirements vary depending on the type of building and local regulations. They are generally more demanding in places where large numbers of people gather, such as shops and assembly venues, than in private homes.
Post spacing, balustrade height and fixings affect the loads a balustrade can withstand. The use class shown in the configurator indicates the loads documented for the selected configuration, and Declarations of Performance are available on the product pages.
A balustrade designed with children in mind should help reduce the risk of climbing, falling through openings or becoming trapped. The overall construction matters, not just the material used. Requirements for openings and features intended to discourage climbing depend on the applicable local regulations. Glass and vertical infill can be suitable options.
Avoid horizontal elements that could be used as footholds, and ensure gaps between bars, below the balustrade and near stair treads are designed to prevent children passing through or becoming trapped. Furniture and planters placed beside a balustrade may also make climbing easier. Glass balustrades and vertical infill can be suitable options, but no design is automatically child-safe.
Whether permission is needed depends on the location and nature of the work. An open balustrade may not require separate permission, but different considerations can apply if it forms part of a new or altered balcony or deck, is tall or solid, or changes a building’s exterior. Check the applicable local planning and building requirements before starting.
An open balustrade on an existing deck may therefore have different requirements from a solid privacy screen or a new balcony balustrade on a street-facing building. Areas subject to special planning restrictions or heritage considerations may also be affected.
Even where no permission is required, the balustrade must be properly designed and specified for its location, particularly where it provides protection against falls.
Yes, different materials and balustrade types can be combined in the same project, provided the components are technically compatible and the complete construction works as intended. Glass, aluminium, stainless steel and timber can be combined to achieve the desired function and appearance.
Glass and aluminium create a light, open appearance; glass and stainless steel combine clear views with visible metal details; and timber adds warmth to metal designs. You can also combine functions – for example, a taller glass section acting as a windbreak on the most exposed side of a deck, with a more open balustrade on the remaining sides. Materials, heights and fixings must work together.
Most balustrades require some maintenance. Cleaning and checking them as needed helps keep them in good condition. Wash away dirt, pollen and salt with water and a mild detergent, and inspect the fixings periodically. Glass, aluminium and stainless steel are generally relatively easy to care for, while timber needs suitable treatment to maintain its finish.
Repair damage to coatings or timber before it deteriorates further, and clean the balustrade after winter or exposure to coastal conditions. Outdoor balustrades are designed to withstand normal weather, but after severe weather or unusual loads it is sensible to check that all components remain secure.
At our factory in Ängelholm, we manufacture made-to-measure balustrades for decking, balconies, stairs, Juliet balconies, pool areas and patios. Rather than adapting your project to standard-sized modules, enter the required length and height in our online balustrade designer to see an exact price. Each order is supplied as a complete kit, including glass or other infill, posts, fixings and installation instructions.
To compare materials before making your choice, explore our full range of balustrades.
Decking balustrades are our best-selling category. Choose a glass balustrade to preserve views of the garden, vertical slats for a classic look or horizontal slats for a more contemporary style. The balustrade can follow the shape of your deck around corners and across different levels, including alongside steps leading down to the garden.
Start by measuring the length of the deck edge, the required balustrade height from the decking surface and the angles of any corners.
A stair balustrade should provide protection and support while following the slope of the staircase. For outdoor applications, we often use corrosion-resistant stainless steel, while aluminium, stainless steel or timber details can provide different finishes and a warmer handhold indoors. The Linea Step system is designed to follow the angle of the stairs, and handrails in oak, stainless steel or aluminium can be found under handrails and top rails.
Balconies often have a significant potential fall height and are used every day. We manufacture balcony balustrades with vertical bars, glass or wire. For glazed doors without a projecting balcony, see our Juliet balconies. Our glass version uses 12.76 mm toughened laminated safety glass.
We also supply balustrades for roof terraces and flat roofs, where fall height and wind exposure influence the structural requirements, as well as for retaining walls where there are changes in garden levels.
Around pools and indoors – at lofts, landings and open-plan upper floors – you can choose materials to suit the setting and style.
Combine glass, aluminium, stainless steel or wire with a handrail that suits the architecture of your home. The use classes A+, A, B and C shown in our configurator are our own guidance for choosing a suitable construction. Our manufacturing process is certified to EN 1090-1. Production is regularly monitored by RISE, with a focus on traceability, quality and manufacturing processes.
Price depends on the material, dimensions, glass type and accessories. Our 3D configurator shows the price as you choose options such as glass or aluminium, height and handrails. Fixings must always be suitable for the substrate and supporting structure.
Your basket will be emptied if you change country.
