When is fall protection needed and what should a balustrade provide? Explore height, child safety, glass, loads and fixings for decking, balconies, stairs and other locations.
See how others have designed their staircase balustrades, glass balustrades for patios and frameless balustrades for balconies. Find inspiration among modern, classic and discreet solutions – each with a personal touch.
Our online design tool helps you plan the appearance and cost.
Our balustrades are designed for self-installation and are supplied with installation instructions. Our team can offer advice to help you plan your project.
On a jetty, the balustrade needs to withstand moisture, water splashes and – on the coast – salt. Aluminium and marine-grade stainless steel are common choices, with glass or wire as infill depending on how much wind shelter and view you want. The right material keeps the balustrade looking good for a long time.
Powder-coated aluminium is light and durable, and AISI 316 stainless steel gives a maritime look and resists salt. Wire keeps the view, while glass reduces wind and spray. Screws and fittings must withstand the same environment as the balustrade, so that corrosion does not occur between different metals. On a floating jetty, the movement and loads of the jetty need to be considered in the planning.
A wire balustrade consists of tensioned wires between posts, creating an open design that takes up little visual space. The wires are made from corrosion-resistant AISI 316 stainless steel and held taut using fixings and adjustable tensioners. The tension can be adjusted during installation and later if needed.
Wire balustrades suit decking, jetties and stairs where you want an open appearance. On staircases, the wires and fixings are adapted to the slope. Maintenance is straightforward: wipe the wires as needed and periodically check the wires, fixings and tensioners. Remember that horizontal wires may be easy for young children to climb.
Yes, stainless steel can develop rust-coloured spots and discolouration despite its name. Often, these are caused by airborne iron particles settling on the surface and corroding. Small brown marks do not necessarily mean that the stainless steel itself is corroding.
Salt deposits, accumulated dirt and cleaning with steel wool can also cause discolouration. Stainless steel has a protective surface layer that can reform when the surface is kept clean, so clean as needed and remove marks promptly. In coastal areas, AISI 316 or 316L stainless steel is often used. Stainless steel resists corrosion but is not completely immune to it.
A balustrade can be installed on a variety of surfaces, but fixing must always be anchored to a stable, load-bearing structure – not just to the material visible on the surface. The correct fixing depends on the surface, balustrade system, and the structure’s design. On timber and composite decking, posts must be anchored to the load-bearing joists beneath the boards.
Concrete and solid stone may provide suitable fixing points if their condition and load capacity are confirmed. Brick and lightweight concrete need anchors designed for the specific substrate. Avoid loose paving slabs, weak joints and unsuitable edge distances.
A glass windbreak is stable when the glass, posts, hardware, and mounting are designed to withstand the wind loads at that location. It is the entire structure that determines stability, not just the thickness of the glass. Thicker glass will not solve the problem if the rest of the structure is too weak.
A tall windbreak on an open balcony or terrace is subjected to greater forces than a shorter windbreak in a sheltered location. The mounting must therefore be anchored to a load-bearing structure, since decking, pavers, and other surface layers are not always sufficient. If the windbreak moves or vibrates noticeably in strong winds, check the mountings, posts, and hardware.
A jetty or waterside deck can be one of the most exposed parts of a property. Wind, moisture and salt can affect materials that are not suited to the conditions. A well-designed balustrade can define the edge without blocking the view.
Tenso combines corrosion-resistant stainless steel posts with tensioned wires for an airy, nautical look. For an uninterrupted view, frameless Vista uses glass held in an aluminium base channel along the edge. Prime offers a more defined appearance with stainless steel posts.
For waterfront settings, corrosion-resistant stainless steel is a common choice. The molybdenum in suitable alloys improves resistance to chloride exposure compared with some other stainless steel grades, although regular cleaning is still needed. Explore stainless steel balustrades, including bar systems such as Flow and Breeze.
Glass preserves views while offering some shelter from wind. Depending on the product, we use toughened and laminated safety glass; the interlayer helps retain fragments if breakage occurs.
A timber jetty needs different fixings from concrete or stone. The design must account for the substrate, supporting structure and wind exposure beside the water. Orders are supplied with installation guidance for the chosen configuration. Plan any lighting near the jetty edge before installing the balustrade.
Rinse balustrade components with fresh water as needed to remove salt deposits and clean glass with a suitable glass cleaner. The manufacturing process is certified in accordance with EN 1090-1. RISE regularly monitors production with a focus on traceability, quality and manufacturing processes.
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