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.
Aluminium balustrades are lightweight, durable outdoors and relatively low-maintenance, making them a practical option for decking and balconies. Powder-coated aluminium generally needs cleaning as required rather than regular repainting. Unlike ordinary steel, aluminium does not develop iron rust.
Aluminium balustrades can be powder-coated in a variety of colours and combined with glass, vertical bars or other infills. Their light weight makes the components easier to handle during installation. Glass helps preserve views and natural light. Aluminium can offer good value over time because of its lower maintenance needs, although the price depends on the model, infill, dimensions and optional extras.
The main differences are weight, appearance and finish. Aluminium is lightweight and can be powder-coated in a range of colours, while stainless steel is heavier and has a distinctive metallic appearance. Both can perform well outdoors when the material grade and balustrade design suit the location. Aluminium forms a protective oxide layer, with the coating providing additional surface protection.
For stainless steel, the grade must be chosen to suit the environment, particularly near the sea, and the surface cleaned as needed. The stability of a balustrade depends on the complete system, not just the post material. Choose aluminium if you want a particular colour, or stainless steel if you prefer the metal itself to be part of the design.
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.
Glass used in balustrades is designed to withstand normal seasonal changes, from summer heat to cold and frost. Glass panels may also flex slightly under wind loads without this necessarily indicating a fault. The effects depend on the glass type, panel size, fixings and edge finish. The glass is specified for outdoor use.
Rapid or substantial changes in temperature put more stress on glass than gradual changes – for example, when one part of a panel is warmed by the sun while the rest remains cold. Some movement in larger glass panels in windy conditions is normal and depends on their size, thickness and fixings. Frost alone should not cause a correctly specified glass balustrade to crack. The glass, fittings and fixings must all be suitable for the location.
The right top rail depends on the railing’s material, location, maintenance requirements, and the look you want to achieve. Common options include aluminium, stainless steel, and wood, and top rail can often be customised to match the rest of the railing. Aluminium is easy to maintain and works particularly well with aluminium and glass balustrades.
Stainless steel provides a distinct metallic appearance and works well with glass or wire. Timber adds warmth and contrasts with glass and metal, but needs more care outdoors. Matching the top rail and posts in material and finish creates a more consistent look.
Top rails are supplied in standard sections of up to approximately 2.4 metres. Longer runs are divided into equal lengths and joined so that the joints are evenly spaced. The available lengths depend on the material and balustrade system. Extra-long sections are available in some materials for a design with fewer joints.
Examples include aluminium up to approximately 4.4 metres and oak or jatoba around 3 metres at aluminium balustrades, and up to 4.4–5 metres at stainless steel or aluminium for post-free railings. The exact maximum lengths are shown in the configurator for the materials available in the selected system.
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Your choice of fixing makes a big difference to the overall look. There are three installation methods to choose from when ordering a Forma balustrade:
Forma is an aluminium glass balustrade that can be configured with your choice of colour, glass, fixings and top rail to suit your style and installation requirements.
See immediately in the configurator how your choices affect the appearance.
Glass, with top rail
Glass, without top railToughened glass is available for all glass types
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, ultra-clearLaminated glass, 8.76 mm, clear
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, opal
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, grey
Standard height
Full height
Elements – Drops
Elements – Hexagon
Elements – Dry dirt
Zinc, painted finish, 45x60 mm square
Zinc, painted finish, 45x60 mm, roundedStainless steel 40×50 mm, roundedStainless steel 45×60 mm, squareStainless steel 45×60 mm, roundedZinc, painted finish, 45x60 mm square with a lug
Square Aluminium, 50x50 mm
Profiled oak
Profiled Jatoba
Natural anodised (silver)
Grey with texture
Black (RAL 9005)
White (RAL 9010)
Any RAL colourForma is a timeless and sturdy aluminium balustrade with glass, designed for those who want a secure solution with minimal maintenance. The combination of powder-coated posts and laminated safety glass results in a railing that is stable and durable while maintaining an open and bright appearance.
The railing is made to measure to your specifications and delivered as a complete kit with everything needed for a well-designed and durable final result. The aluminium construction provides strength and a long service life—without the need for painting, rust protection, or recurring maintenance.
Forma is often used for balustrades on decks, balconies and staircases, where both function and appearance matter. For example, it is suitable as:
Forma is designed for straightforward self-installation, even if you have never fitted a balustrade before. It comes as a complete kit with the necessary components, including screws and fixings.
Installation follows a clear step-by-step process:
Below are examples of our installation videos. Once you’ve placed your order, you’ll receive a link to the video that shows exactly how to install your specific balustrade—with the details and fixings you’ve chosen.
Forma Manufactured at our facility in Ängelholm. Through in-house design and production, we ensure that every railing is of high quality and meets the safety requirements for load-bearing construction products made of aluminium and glass. Each order is customised according to your preferences and comes with a declaration of performance.
The manufacturing process is certified in accordance with EN 1090-1 and complies with applicable Eurocodes for load-bearing capacity and performance. Production is continuously monitored by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which is responsible for external verification of traceability, quality, and the manufacturing process.
In addition, we conduct our own tests to ensure that the materials, fixing, and glass maintain the proper quality over time. The surface treatment makes Forma resistant to corrosion and wear—designed for long-term use in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Here you'll find technical information about Forma – our glass balustrade with posts in powder-coated aluminium. We’ve compiled data on dimensions, mounting principles, and installation solutions to make your planning easier.
All files are available for download as PDFs and will help you prepare your order or complete a safe and proper installation.
Load-tested posts
The posts have been tested with fixing applied on top of and on the outside of a wooden substrate and can withstand a load of 0.5–1.0 kN/m.
Square 50×50 mm
Square posts and top rail made of aluminium, measuring 50×50 mm.
Surface coating: 20 µm
Our aluminium profiles are anodized. This is the same principle used on the mast of a sailboat, which is resistant to wind and weather.
Colour options
Posts are available in natural aluminium, white, black, textured grey and seven additional shades of grey as standard options.
Material thickness 2.5 mm
Square 50×50 mm
Square posts and top rail made of aluminium, measuring 50×50 mm.
Surface coating: 20 µm
Our aluminium profiles are anodized. This is the same principle used on the mast of a sailboat, which is resistant to wind and weather.
Timber top rail
top rail, with a contoured profile, 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, you should cut the wooden crossbar yourself. This ensures a precise fit. Both wood and aluminium can be cut with a standard miter saw. If you choose the aluminium top rail and the corner is 90 degrees, no cutting is required.
8.76 mm laminated glass
Two 4 mm glass sheets bonded with a plastic interlayer. If the glass breaks, the interlayer helps retain the fragments. Supplied with ground and polished edges.
8.76 mm toughened laminated glass
Same construction as our standard laminated glass, but with two toughened glass panels instead. We recommend this glass for environments where the railing may be exposed to repeated external stresses. Comes with ground and polished edges.
Glass options (colour)
When configuring your balustrade, choose clear glass or laminated glass with a grey-tinted or opal interlayer. The coloured or frosted film is positioned between the glass sheets.
Glass clamps in zinc or stainless steel
You can choose between glass clamps in zinc (which is painted the same colour as the railing) or glass clamps in acid-resistant stainless steel (AISI 316).
Square or rounded
When designing your balustrade, you can choose square or rounded glass clamps.
Color
Glass clamps s come in the same colour as the rest of the railing.
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.
Customisation for Sloped Ceilings
You can choose to customise your railing to accommodate a sloped ceiling at the beginning or end. We will then manufacture a glass panel with a cut-off corner according to your measurements.
Complete kits
Our shipment includes everything you need for assembly. In addition to posts, glass, and top rail, it also includes all screws, drill bits, and any special tools. If you have a screwdriver, a wrench, a folding rule, and a 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.
Top mounting
The base is secured to the floor with 4 screws.
Side fixing
The post is secured with two screws through the side, directly into the supporting surface.
Selectable Mounting Heights
If you choose side mounting, you also have the option to select the mounting height. You can have the post extend downward by 350 mm, 250 mm, 195 mm, or 145 mm. If possible, a greater depth is preferable. The mounting height may affect the number of sections per side.
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 tightening torque when driving the screw into 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.
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.
Aluminium Parts
Posts or other aluminium parts require minimal maintenance. If stains appear, a mild detergent, water, and a soft cloth are usually sufficient. Do not use products with abrasive properties, acids, or alkaline agents.
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.
Glass
Clean the glass with a window and mirror cleaner and a soft cloth. For stubborn marks, methylated spirits can be used. Then clean again with window and mirror cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners on glass.
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 may also be classified as Class C if Balustradedesign, in consultation with you as the customer, makes a modification to the railing that deviates from our standard. In this case, the Class C classification indicates that this specific configuration has not been tested.
