What Is – A Balustrade? Background
Balustrades are a common feature of properties all around us, we see them, encounter them and some of us have them in our homes, without knowing it.
We have them on staircases, terraces, balconies, roof tops and other places where there tends to be an edge with a drop. They are a row of columns with a rail on top. 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).
What Is A Balustrade? The Background, by Precision Timber Handrails
The function of a balustrade can be to stop people from falling off an edge or staircase, to act as a barrier to property or a cordon. It is a means of self protection and controlling access.
Balustrade Background Images – Traditional
A baluster, the column part, is now also known as a spindle, picket or banister. Now along with a top rail, they have developed and have more component parts. The total effect when it comes together is the balustrade and when completed it makes up the staircase rail system to complete the staircase barrier. This handrail system is often ornate and a feature piece of a staircase, balcony or other walk-way.
Balustrades also now have glass or ornate metal work instead of balusters, spindles or banisters (depending upon how you know them).
Balustrade Background Images – Modern & Ironwork
At Precision Timber Handrails we have designed many balustrades for our clients, wooden or mixed materials for installation on stone or timber staircases. We have modern, traditional, ornate or clean simplicity all in our design portfolio and installations, which you can see by clicking here.
Our handrails are made at our factory in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, where our staircase wood-turning business can run your entire project. From precise measurement on site using state of the art measuring equipment to designing it up on our top of the range 3D CAD software. Using sustainable wood sources we are FSC registered and will always advise on ethical environmental sourcing without compromising on the quality or look of the work.
If you have a project forthcoming, either your own property or you may be sourcing work for a client, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please use the contact link below or call us today and we will be glad to hear from you.
So, if you would like to see more examples of balustrades, and other handrail elements and design features, like these shown on our Instagram account, then contact us today.
If you are an architect, interior designer, project manager or building restorer, please contact us to see how we can help you with your project, or bookmark us for when you do need an estimate.
To look at our range of balusters that we have designed, manufactured and installed, visit our balustrade [page here]
All some images on this page and video are from other providers and are examples to show the the designs from traditional to modern – social media posts are from our own installations.