Balcony balustrades for houses, flats and Juliet balconies

The best balcony balustrade depends on the view, wind exposure, privacy, maintenance and the look you want. No single system suits every balcony. Clear glass preserves light and views, while opal or tinted glass may offer more privacy.

Aluminium is relatively easy to maintain and can be combined with glass or bars, while stainless steel offers a distinctive metallic finish. Vertical bars define the edge without blocking daylight. A tall or solid balustrade may catch more wind, affecting the posts and fixings.

The height of a balcony balustrade depends on local building regulations, how the balcony is used and the size of the drop. The higher up the balcony, the more important the balustrade’s height, construction and stability become. Check the requirements that apply where the balcony is located before deciding on a height.

Height is only one part of safety. Where young children are around, the balustrade must be hard to climb, and openings in the infill and beneath the balustrade must not be large enough for children to get through. The balustrade must also withstand someone leaning on it and be anchored to the load-bearing structure of the balcony. With a top rail, the finished height must match the balustrade’s design.

Horizontal wires and slats may be suitable for some balcony balustrades, but their design needs particular care where children may be present. Horizontal elements can create footholds and make climbing easier. The overall construction and applicable local safety requirements determine whether a design is suitable.

Horizontal slats should also be assessed for possible footholds, and gaps must be appropriate for the safety requirements of the location. Planters and furniture next to a balustrade can also make it easier to climb. Glass or vertical bars are often more appropriate where children are present. On a ground-level patio, horizontal lines may be a practical design choice.

The installation method depends on the balcony structure and whether the balustrade is fixed on top of the slab or to its side. The fixings and supporting structure must be assessed for the intended loads and installation conditions.

With top mounting, the posts or channel are fixed on top of the balcony slab; with side mounting, they are fixed to the front of the balcony, leaving more floor space free. On a concrete slab, the balustrade is anchored into the concrete, drilling through any tiles to the structure below. If the balcony has a waterproofing membrane, the penetrations need to be planned so that moisture cannot get in, and side mounting may then be more suitable.

It depends on whether the replacement changes the exterior of the building and on the local rules that apply. A balustrade with a different design, material or a clearly changed look may count as an alteration to the façade, while replacing it like for like is often treated as maintenance.

The type of building, whether the façade faces a street and whether the building has heritage value can all play a part. Check with your local authority before ordering. If you live in a block of flats or a managed building, you also need to contact the freeholder, landlord or managing agent, who often has requirements for model, colour and finish. Several balconies can have the same balustrade for a consistent façade.