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.
Aluminium balustrades are lightweight, durable outdoors and relatively low-maintenance, making them a practical option for decking and balconies. Powder-coated aluminium generally needs cleaning as required rather than regular repainting. Unlike ordinary steel, aluminium does not develop iron rust.
Aluminium balustrades can be powder-coated in a variety of colours and combined with glass, vertical bars or other infills. Their light weight makes the components easier to handle during installation. Glass helps preserve views and natural light. Aluminium can offer good value over time because of its lower maintenance needs, although the price depends on the model, infill, dimensions and optional extras.
The main differences lie in weight, appearance, and surface finish. Aluminium is lightweight and can be powder-coated in a variety of colours, while stainless steel is heavier and has a distinct metallic look. Both are durable for outdoor use when the right materials and construction are used. Aluminium forms a protective oxide layer and is further protected by the coating.
For stainless steel, the grade should be selected based on the environment – especially near the sea – and the surface should be cleaned as needed. The stability of the balustrade depends on the entire system, not just the material of the posts. Aluminium is a good choice when you want a specific colour, while stainless steel is best when the metal is meant to be part of the design.
Yes, different materials and balustrade types can be combined in the same project, provided the components are technically compatible and the complete construction works as intended. Glass, aluminium, stainless steel and timber can be combined to achieve the desired function and appearance.
Glass and aluminium create a light, open appearance; glass and stainless steel combine clear views with visible metal details; and timber adds warmth to metal designs. You can also combine functions – for example, a taller glass section acting as a windbreak on the most exposed side of a deck, with a more open balustrade on the remaining sides. Materials, heights and fixings must work together.
The glass in balustrades is designed to withstand normal temperature fluctuations between summer heat, cold, and frost. It may also flex slightly when subjected to wind, but this is not a sign of a problem. The extent to which the glass is affected depends on the type of glass, its size, how it is mounted, and the edge treatment. The glass is designed for outdoor use.
Large and rapid temperature changes place a greater strain on the glass than gradual changes – for example, when part of the glass is heated by the sun while the rest remains cold. Some movement in larger glass panels is normal in windy conditions and depends on the size, thickness, and mounting. Frost will not cause a correctly specified glass balustrade to crack – the key is that the glass, hardware, and mounting are suitable for the location.
The right top rail depends on the balustrade’s material, location and care, and the look you want. Common options are aluminium, stainless steel and timber, and the top rail can often be matched to the rest of the balustrade. Aluminium is easy to care for and works particularly well with aluminium and glass balustrades.
Stainless steel provides a distinct metallic appearance and works well with glass or wire. Timber adds warmth and contrasts with glass and metal, but needs more care outdoors. Matching the top rail and posts in material and finish creates a more consistent look.
Top rails are supplied in standard sections of up to approximately 2.4 metres. Longer runs are divided into equal lengths and joined so that the joints are evenly spaced. The available lengths depend on the material and balustrade system. Extra-long sections are available in some materials for a design with fewer joints.
Examples are aluminium up to around 4.4 metres and oak or jatoba around 3 metres on aluminium balustrades, and up to 4.4–5 metres in stainless steel or aluminium on frameless balustrades. The exact maximum lengths are shown in the configurator for the materials available in the chosen system.
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Your choice of fixing makes a big difference to the overall look. There are three installation methods to choose from when ordering a Forma balustrade:
Forma is an aluminium glass balustrade that can be configured with your choice of colour, glass, fixings and top rail to suit your style and installation requirements.
See immediately in the configurator how your choices affect the appearance.
Glass, with top rail
Glass, without top railToughened glass is available for all glass types
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, ultra-clearLaminated glass, 8.76 mm, clear
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, opal
Laminated glass, 8.76 mm, grey
Standard height
Full height
Elements – Drops
Elements – Hexagon
Elements – Dry dirt
Zinc, painted finish, 45×60 mm, square
Zinc, painted finish, 45×60 mm, roundedStainless steel 40×50 mm, roundedStainless steel 45×60 mm, squareStainless steel 45×60 mm, roundedZinc, painted finish, 45×60 mm, square with lug
Square aluminium, 50×50 mm
Profiled oak
Profiled jatoba
Natural anodised (silver)
Grey with texture
Black (RAL 9005)
White (RAL 9010)
Any RAL colourForma is a timeless, robust aluminium balustrade with glass, developed for anyone who wants a safe solution with minimal maintenance. The combination of powder-coated posts and laminated safety glass gives a balustrade that is stable and durable while keeping an open, light look.
The balustrade is made to your measurements and delivered as a complete kit with everything needed for a well-planned, durable result. The aluminium structure gives strength and a long service life – with no need for painting, rust protection or recurring treatment.
Forma is often used for balustrades on decks, balconies and staircases, where both function and appearance matter. For example, it is suitable as:
Forma is designed for straightforward self-installation, even if you have never fitted a balustrade before. It comes as a complete kit with the necessary components, including screws and fixings.
Installation follows a clear step-by-step process:
Below are examples of our installation videos. Once you have placed your order, you get a link to the video showing exactly how to install your balustrade – with the details and fixings you have chosen.
Forma is manufactured at our facility in Ängelholm. Through in-house design and production, we ensure that every balustrade is of high quality and meets the safety requirements for load-bearing construction products in aluminium and glass. Every order is tailored to your choices and supplied with a declaration of performance.
The manufacturing process is certified in accordance with EN 1090-1 and complies with applicable Eurocodes for load-bearing capacity and performance. Production is continuously monitored by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which is responsible for external verification of traceability, quality, and the manufacturing process.
In addition, we carry out our own tests to ensure that materials, fixings and glass maintain the right level over time. The surface treatment makes Forma resistant to corrosion and wear – designed for long-term use both indoors and outdoors.
Here you'll find technical information about Forma – our glass balustrade with posts in powder-coated aluminium. We’ve compiled data on dimensions, mounting principles, and installation solutions to make your planning 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 and side fixing on a timber substrate and can take a load of 0.5–1.0 kN/m.
Square 50×50 mm
Square posts and top rail made of aluminium, measuring 50×50 mm.
Surface coating: 20 µm
Our aluminium profiles are anodised. This is the same principle used on the mast of a sailboat, which is resistant to wind and weather.
Colour options
Stolparna kan fås i standardfärgerna natur (aluminium), vit, svart, grå med struktur samt ytterligare sju nyanser av grått.
Material thickness 2.5 mm
Square 50×50 mm
Square posts and top rail made of aluminium, measuring 50×50 mm.
Surface coating: 20 µm
Our aluminium profiles are anodised. This is the same principle used on the mast of a sailboat, which is resistant to wind and weather.
Timber top rail
Profiled top rail 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. Both timber and aluminium can easily be cut with a standard mitre saw. If you choose an aluminium top rail and the corner is 90 degrees, no cutting is needed.
8.76 mm laminated glass
Two 4 mm glass sheets bonded with a plastic interlayer. If the glass breaks, the interlayer helps retain the fragments. Supplied with ground and polished edges.
8.76 mm toughened laminated glass
Same construction as our standard laminated glass, but with two toughened glass panels instead. We recommend this glass for environments where the balustrade may be exposed to repeated external stresses. Comes with ground and polished edges.
Glass options (colour)
When configuring your balustrade, choose clear glass or laminated glass with a grey-tinted or opal interlayer. The coloured or frosted film is positioned between the glass sheets.
Clamps in zinc or stainless steel
You can choose between zinc clamps (painted in the same colour as the balustrade) or clamps in marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316).
Square or rounded
When designing your balustrade, you choose whether you want square or rounded clamps.
Colour
The clamps come in the same colour as the rest of the balustrade.
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.
Adaptation for sloping ceilings
You can choose to adapt your balustrade to a sloping ceiling at the start or end. We then produce a glass panel with a cut-off corner to your measurements.
Complete kits
Our delivery includes everything you need for installation. As well as posts, glass 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.
Top mounting
The base is secured to the floor with 4 screws.
Side fixing
The post is secured with two screws through the side, directly into the supporting surface.
Selectable Mounting Heights
If you choose side mounting, you also have the option to select the mounting height. You can have the post extend downward by 350 mm, 250 mm, 195 mm, or 145 mm. If possible, a greater depth is preferable. The mounting height may affect the number of sections per side.
Screw for timber fixing
If you choose to fix into timber, 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. The screw has a milled groove along the shank and one at the tip, which gives a very low driving torque in harder timber and minimises splitting.
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.
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.
Aluminium Parts
Posts or other aluminium parts require minimal maintenance. If stains appear, a mild detergent, water, and a soft cloth are usually sufficient. Do not use products with abrasive properties, acids, or alkaline agents.
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.
Glass
Clean the glass with a window and mirror cleaner and a soft cloth. For stubborn marks, methylated spirits can be used. Then clean again with window and mirror cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners on glass.
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.
