For a railing against a sloped ceiling, you need to measure the height of the exterior wall and also specify either the roof pitch or a clearance measurement along the floor. These measurements are used to customise the final section before the railing is ordered.
Otherwise, when a straight railing meets a sloping ceiling, a wedge-shaped opening forms between the railing and the sloping ceiling. Therefore, the roof’s slope and the planned balustrade height must be correct even when the angled end cap is being manufactured.
Accurate measurements are especially important when the infill material is glass. Toughened glass cannot be cut or reshaped after tempering, so errors in measurements or angles cannot always be corrected on-site.
Why does a gap form where a balustrade meets a sloped ceiling?
A straight railing and a sloping ceiling meet at different angles. If the last section ends straight, a wedge-shaped opening will form between the railing and the sloping ceiling. To close the opening, the infill in the last section must be adjusted to match the roof’s slope.
A gap is left open
The opening is small at the bottom but becomes larger as the roof rises. Since the railing serves as fall protection the top edge must also be included in the assessment of the structure as a whole.
The infill follows the roof
When the final section is fabricated to match the roof's slope, the glass or infill can follow the sloping ceiling and close the wedge-shaped opening.
What measurements do you need to take for a balustrade against a sloped ceiling?
You always need the exterior wall height, dimension A. Then, you specify either the roof pitch in degrees, dimension B, or a clearance dimension along the floor, dimension C.
For example, when a glass balustrade is to be adapted to a sloping ceiling, the measurements are used to determine the shape of the final section prior to manufacturing.
| Dimensions | What the metric shows | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| A Exterior wall height | The height of the wall where the railing meets the sloped ceiling. | Always needed. |
| B Roof pitch | The angle of the roof, expressed in degrees. | Use this if you already know the roof angle. |
| C Clearance | The distance from the wall to the point where the railing, at its planned height, fits under the sloped ceiling. | Use this if you don't know the roof's angle. |
Where is a railing needed on a sloping ceiling?
A railing against a sloped ceiling is needed above all in lofts, attic floors, and other open upper floors where the railing follows the edge of a floor structure and ends at a sloped ceiling.
Attic
In an attic, the roof pitch often starts low at the exterior wall. Therefore, a straight railing cannot always extend all the way across without leaving an opening toward the sloping ceiling.
Loft and exposed floor structure
When the railing runs along the edge of an open floor structure and the sloped ceiling slopes down towards the same exterior wall, the last section must be adjusted to match the slope of the ceiling.
A loft where younger children can spend time
If younger children are able to use the loft without constant supervision, the openings in the railing and the likelihood of children climbing over it must also be assessed. In that case, it is important to view the entire railing structure—including where it meets the sloped ceiling—as a cohesive safety solution.
How do you measure a balustrade for a sloped ceiling before placing an order?
First, determine the height of the railing, and then measure the height of the exterior wall (measurement A). Next, you’ll need either the roof pitch (measurement B) or the clearance along the floor (measurement C). Double-check all measurements before submitting your order.
Please check this before submitting the measurements
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Determine the height of the railing
Balustrade height must be determined first because it affects where the sloping ceiling meets the last section.
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Measure the exterior wall height – dimension A
Measure the height of the wall where the railing will meet the sloped ceiling. The height of the exterior wall is always required.
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Enter measurement B or measurement C
If you know the roof's pitch, enter the angle in degrees as measurement B. If the angle is unknown, measure the clearance along the floor instead as measurement C.
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Check the location of the last post
Make sure that the floor structure and the supporting material are suitable for fixing where the last post or end cap is to be installed.
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Please specify the dimensions when placing your order
Enter the sloping ceiling dimensions along with the other railing options in the calculation and ordering feature for the product you have selected.
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Double-check before you send
Be sure to double-check dimensions A and either B or C. If the angled section contains toughened glass, the shape must be correct from the start, since the glass cannot be cut to size after tempering.
A + B or C: You always need the exterior wall height and then either the roof pitch or the clearance measurement. This means you don’t need to know the roof pitch yourself if the clearance measurement has been measured correctly.
Not sure how to measure against your sloped ceiling?
Please send a photo showing the floor, exterior wall, and sloped ceiling, along with the measurements you’ve taken. Customer service can help you determine what information is needed before you order the railing.
Frequently asked questions about balustrades beneath sloping roofs
Here are brief answers to common questions about dimensions, roof pitch, glass, and ordering when a railing is to be installed against a sloped roof.
What measurements are needed for a balustrade against a sloped ceiling?
You always need the exterior wall height, dimension A. In addition, you need either the roof pitch in degrees, dimension B, or the clearance along the floor, dimension C.
Can toughened glass be cut on site?
No. Glass must be cut, drilled and shaped before it is toughened. An already-toughened glass panel therefore cannot be cut to size on site.
What is the clearance dimension for a sloped ceiling?
Clearance dimension C is the distance from the wall along the floor to the point where the railing, at its intended height, fits under the sloped ceiling. This dimension can be used when the roof pitch is unknown.
What happens if the measurements for the sloped ceiling are incorrect?
The custom-made trim may be the wrong shape and not fit the sloped roof. If the section contains toughened glass, the glass cannot be cut to size after tempering, which makes it especially important to check the dimensions before ordering.
Are handrails for sloped roofs available in different materials?
Yes. The railing is available in aluminium or stainless parts, with or without top rail , and in various heights. It is primarily the last section that needs to be adjusted to fit the sloped ceiling.
What should you keep in mind when installing balustrades on a loft where children spend time?
If younger children are able to use the loft without constant supervision, the openings in the railing and the ease with which children can climb over it must also be assessed. The section where the railing meets the sloped ceiling must then be considered part of the entire railing structure.
Do you need to know the roof pitch to order the balustrade?
No. If the roof pitch is unknown, you can instead enter the exterior wall height and the clearance dimension along the floor. These measurements provide the basis for calculating the geometry relative to the sloping ceiling.
