Stainless Steel Balustrade Components: What Do You Need?
- Posts and Bases
- Handrail and Supports
- Glass Clamps
- Wire
The number and type of stainless steel balustrade components that you require will vary in accordance with the style of balustrade system you have chosen. For instance, glass balustrades and wire balustrades will need different stainless steel fixtures and fittings. Below, we have produced a list of some of the key stainless steel balustrade components to help you get started.
Stainless Steel Balustrade Components
Posts and Bases
You might think that all balustrade posts and bases look the same, but you do in fact have a number of different options. From a practical perspective, you need to decide between pre-drilled and undrilled posts. The former can be easier to install but the latter provides you with more choice about where to install the additional fittings. We would particularly recommend choosing pre-drilled posts for a wire balustrade system as it is imperative that each of the numerous holes perfectly matches up with their counterpart.
Bases can also be purchased pre-drilled with varying numbers of holes. If you’d prefer to hide all the base fixings from sight, you can choose to lay a base cover over the top. This helps to create a more elegant and sophisticated overall look.
Stainless steel posts and bases are available in a number of different finishes. These include satin/brushed and mirrored polish. The most obvious difference between the two finishes is that satin produces a matt look whereas the mirrored option is more reflective. Typically, the industry recommends using a mirrored polish finish in coastal areas due to the high salt levels within the air. The smoother surface in comparison to the satin finish means that it is less susceptible to corrosion.
Whichever finish you choose, you can be confident that stainless steel will stand up to years of use and weather without rusting away. The finish of stainless steel does not impact its grade.
Handrail and Supports
One of the most important stainless steel balustrade components for safety, a handrail is easy to install and maintain, and is perfect for internal and external use. Stainless steel handrails can be divided into two categories: tubes and bars. Tubes are hollow inside whereas bars are a solid length of stainless steel.
In addition to the handrail itself, you may need to purchase stainless steel brackets or supports. These can be purchased in matching finishes to the handrail.
Glass Clamps
Glass clamps are crucial for ensuring that any bespoke glass panels remain firmly secured in place and don’t become a safety hazard. If anyone leans on the balustrade, you don’t want them to feel any wobble in the glass. To guard against this you need to ensure that you are buying the right clamp for the thickness of your glass panel. Fail to do so and the glass either won’t slide through the gap at all or will be too loose and not stay in place. There is some leeway however, as most glass clamps do now come up with adjustable screws.
At Glass & Stainless, our standard recommendation is to use 4 glass clamps for every square metre of glass.
As with posts, bases and handrails, glass clamps are available in several different finishes including satin/brushed, mirrored polish and raw. They are also available in a variety of shapes, with a choice between rounded or square edges.
Most glass clamps have a rubber interior to prevent scratching on the glass panel and stretch around it for a firmer hold.
Wire
In the UK, wire balustrade systems use wire that is a minimum of 3.2mm thick. Manufacturers will normally offer a made to measure service, allowing you to order wire to the exact length of each required section. Alternatively, you can purchase it in several metre long lengths to cut up yourself.
With wire balustrade systems, the main decision you’ll need to make is whether to use an inline or offset style. Inline wires run right through the centre of each balustrade post, through the aforementioned pre-drilled holes. In contrast, offset wires are affixed to the outside of each individual post.
If you have any questions about which stainless steel balustrade components you’ll need for your specification, please do get in touch with us today. We have experts on hand who can help.