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.
Browse our frequently asked questions and answers, or contact one of our specialists, who are happy to help.
The main differences are appearance, sightlines and how easy the balustrade is to climb. Horizontal bars create long, contemporary lines, whereas vertical bars give a more traditional pattern without the same step-like arrangement. Horizontal bars can provide footholds and may be easier to climb.
Where young children may be present and the balustrade protects against falls, vertical bars are often the more suitable choice. On a ground-level patio, where the balustrade mainly defines the space, horizontal bars can be an attractive design option. Both aluminium and stainless steel balustrades are available with bar infill.
For outdoor stainless steel balustrades, marine-grade stainless steel, AISI 316L, is often a better choice, particularly near the coast and in other exposed environments. Its molybdenum content improves resistance to salt and chlorides. AISI 304 can be suitable indoors and in sheltered outdoor settings.
Stainless steel is not completely maintenance-free. Even a balustrade made from 316L can develop deposits or surface staining if salt, dirt and metal particles are left on it for long periods, so clean it as needed. Surface finish also matters: a smooth, well-finished surface is easier to keep clean. Choose the steel grade for the location and environment, not just its appearance.
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.
Clean a stainless steel balustrade with lukewarm water, a mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water. Avoid steel wool, metal brushes and abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface or leave iron particles that cause discolouration. Cleaning frequency depends on the environment.
In sheltered locations, cleaning when the balustrade looks dirty is often sufficient, while installations near the sea or busy roads may need more frequent washing. Clean brushed steel in the direction of the grain and wipe down visible surfaces afterwards. Small brown spots are often caused by airborne iron particles from the surrounding environment rather than corrosion of the balustrade itself.
Yes, stainless steel balustrades are often used in public spaces, but the complete system must be designed for the loads and conditions of its intended location. Being made of stainless steel does not automatically make a balustrade suitable for every setting. Typical applications include stairwells, entrances, offices, shops, restaurants and access balconies.
Where large numbers of people gather, loading requirements may be higher than in a home. Posts, fixings, infill and the supporting structure therefore need to be designed as a complete system. For outdoor installations, choose a steel grade suited to the environment. For larger projects, establish the requirements before ordering.
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Flow is a stainless steel balustrade that can be customised with your choice of height, number of bars, fixing type and top rail – depending on where and how you want to use it.
Vertical bars
Wire balustrade
Wire balustrade with glass
Horizontal bars, with top rail
Horizontal bars, without top rail
Round stainless steel, 42 mm
Round Oak, 43 mm
Round Jatoba, 43 mmFlow is a balustrade in marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316L) with horizontal round bars – designed for anyone who wants a discreet yet functional boundary. The horizontal bars give an open, airy look while clearly marking the edges of patios, paths or timber decking.
The structure is made entirely of stainless steel and designed for long-term use in tough environments – all year round.
Flow is primarily used at ground level, where sightlines are important but you still need to define boundaries. Examples include:
Precisely because Flow has horizontal bars, it is best suited to areas without a fall risk. Where there are changes in level or children are around, we recommend other balustrades that are harder to climb.
Installing Flow is easy – even if you have no previous experience. The system comes complete with all parts cut, pre-drilled and ready to assemble. No welding or specialist equipment is needed.
Here's how to do it:
You choose the fixing for Flow directly in our design tool. Specify which surface you will be installing on – for example:
The appropriate screws and accessories are supplied according to your selected configuration and installation surface. Posts are top-mounted and pre-drilled for straightforward installation.
Once you have placed your order, you get access to our installation videos showing exactly what to do – step by step, based on your choices.
Flow is manufactured at our production facility in Ängelholm. Through in-house design and manufacturing, we have full control over quality, strength and the safety requirements that apply to balustrades in exposed environments. Every order is tailored to your choices and supplied with a declaration of performance.
Our production is certified in accordance with EN 1090-1 and complies with the applicable Eurocodes for load-bearing aluminium construction products and components made of stainless steel. It is continuously audited by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which is responsible for external verification of traceability and processes.
In addition, we carry out our own load and impact tests to ensure that every balustrade performs as it should – wherever it is installed. Flow is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, in both private and public settings.
Here you’ll find technical information about Flow – our marine-grade stainless steel balustrade with horizontal bars. We have gathered data on dimensions, fixings and installation principles to make planning and comparison easier.
All files are available for download as PDFs and will help you prepare your order or complete a safe and proper installation.
Load-tested posts
The posts have been tested with top-mounted fixings on timber substrates and can withstand a load of 0.5–1.0 kN/m.
Round profiles, Ø 42 mm
Round posts made of stainless steel with a diameter of 42 mm. For indoor use: AISI 304 and for outdoor use: AISI 316.
Stainless steel AISI 304 or 316
If your stainless steel balustrade is installed indoors, the posts are made of a stainless grade designated AISI 304. If it is to be installed outdoors, AISI 316 – marine-grade (acid-resistant) stainless steel – is used instead.
Material thickness 2 mm
Round profiles, Ø 12 mm
Round, horizontal bars in marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316) with a diameter of 12 mm. Wall thickness 1.5 mm.
Round profiles, Ø 12 mm
Round, vertical bars in marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316) with a diameter of 12 mm.
Stainless top rail
Round top rail in stainless steel (Ø 42 mm). AISI 304 for indoor use and AISI 316 for outdoor use. Fittings are included for any corners.
Timber top rail
Round top rail (Ø 43 mm) in untreated light oak or jatoba (a hardwood with properties and an appearance similar to teak).
Angles
If the balustrade has corners, you mitre the timber top rail yourself. This ensures an exact fit. For a stainless steel top rail at angles greater than 90 degrees, corner fittings are included.
Symmetrical Sections
When you enter your measurements in our configurator, you always specify the edge dimensions at the location where you want the balustrade installed. Our configurator then makes the necessary adjustments. For your balustrade, we then adjust the section dimensions so that each section on either side is the same length. In other words, we customise the balustrade to fit your measurements – not the other way around.
Choice of balustrade height
In the configurator, choose a height from 800 to 1,100 mm, measured from the floor to the top of the balustrade. Check the appropriate height for your installation against the relevant local requirements, particularly where there is a fall risk.
Made to the millimetre
When you provide your measurements, please be as precise as possible – down to the millimetre. We’ll craft your balustrade to the millimetre so that it fits perfectly in the spot where you want to install it.
Top mounting
The base is secured to the floor with 4 screws.
Top rail with or without wall fixing
If the balustrade meets a wall, you can also choose to fix the top rail to the wall. This can make the structure slightly more stable.
Screw for timber fixing
If you choose to fix into timber, screws are included for this purpose. The screw is made of hardened steel and, for outdoor use, is also surface-treated with Corrseal – Corrosion Class C4. The screw features a milled groove along the shank and one at the tip. This results in a very low screw-in torque in harder timber and minimises cracking.
Screw for concrete fixing
If you choose to fix into a concrete substrate, screws for this purpose are included. The screw is made of hardened steel and, for outdoor use, is also surface-treated with Corrseal – corrosivity class C4. Approved for cracked concrete, uncracked concrete and hollow-core slabs. Also suitable for solid brick, perforated brick, solid calcium silicate brick and natural stone. For fixing into materials other than timber or concrete, we recommend contacting your local builders’ merchant.
Complete kit
Our delivery includes everything you need for installation. As well as posts, bars and top rail, all screws, drill bits and any special tools are included. If you have a cordless drill, a spanner, a folding rule and a spirit level, you really don’t need anything else.
Assembly Videos and Instructions
The videos show various steps to help you with your assembly. Our assembly tips and videos are customised for each order. In other words, these are not general descriptions but are tailored specifically to your order.
Stainless steel details
As stainless steel, despite its name, is not completely corrosion-proof, all stainless steel details need to be maintained and cleaned 1–3 times a year. If the balustrade is installed near the sea, cleaning and treatment may need to be carried out more often. Clean the surfaces with lukewarm water and a mild detergent using a soft cloth.
Timber top rail
If the balustrade is to be installed outdoors, we recommend cleaning the top rail and then sanding it with fine-grit sandpaper. Treat the top rail with an impregnating product such as wood oil or similar, depending on the conditions. For indoor installation, only cleaning and light sanding are needed. You can treat it with wood oil or similar if you wish. All oak contains tannic acid in varying amounts, depending on the moisture content of the timber, as the tannic acid protects the wood against rot. When your oak top rail or handrail is exposed to rain outdoors for the first time, tannic acid is released, which can cause discolouration on the surface below. We therefore recommend oiling the timber, or alternatively applying oxalic acid during installation to reduce the release of the acid. Oxalic acid can also be used to clean discolouration from the surface below. Ask your paint supplier for advice before using oxalic acid. To keep the timber looking good, we also recommend oiling it once a year.
Our A+, A, B and C use classes provide guidance on where a particular balustrade configuration may be suitable. They draw on our product testing and take into account factors such as the chosen height, section width and components. These are our own product classifications, not UK building regulation categories. The installation must also meet the requirements that apply at its location.
Use class A+
Our A+ configuration is documented for a minimum horizontal line load of 1 kN/m. The suitability of a particular balustrade for a residential, commercial or public setting depends on the complete configuration and the requirements of the installation site. Where glass is included, the specified safety glazing should be assessed as part of the whole system.
Use class A
Our A configuration is documented for a minimum horizontal line load of 0.5 kN/m. Whether that configuration is suitable for a particular residential installation depends on the site and its applicable requirements. Where glass is included, the specified safety glazing forms part of the overall system.
Use class B
Our B configuration is documented for a minimum horizontal line load of 0.5 kN/m. Whether it suits a particular installation depends on the site, the difference in level and the applicable requirements. Where glass is included, safety glass is used to reduce the risk of injury on impact.
Use class C
Use class C is intended for ground-level settings. Where glass is included, safety glass is used to reduce the risk of injury on impact. A balustrade may also be classed as C if Balustradedesign, in consultation with you, makes a change that deviates from our standard. Class C then indicates that this specific configuration has not been tested.
