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.
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.
The difference is how each type of steel resists corrosion and how the surface looks. Stainless steel gains its corrosion resistance from its alloy composition, while galvanised steel has a protective zinc coating. The right choice depends on the environment, appearance and upkeep required. Both can be used outdoors where appropriate.
Stainless steel has a metallic finish that can be brushed or polished, with good corrosion resistance. Galvanised steel has a grey, more industrial appearance. Its zinc coating provides protection, including some protection around minor scratches, but the coating must be maintained. Both materials need cleaning in exposed conditions, and neither is ideal for every setting.
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.
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.
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Your choice of fixing makes a big difference to the overall appearance. There are two different installation methods to choose from when you order a Tenso wire balustrade:
Tenso is a stainless steel wire balustrade that can be configured with your choice of top rail, fixings and dimensions to suit the setting and your preferences. Our configurator shows how each choice affects its appearance and price.
Vertical bars
Wire balustrade
Wire balustrade with glass
Horizontal bars, top rail
Horizontal bars, without top rail
2 wires
3 wires
4 wires
5 wires
6 wires
7 wires
8 wires
Round stainless steel, 42 mm
Round Oak, 43 mm
Round Jatoba, 43 mmTenso is the obvious choice if you want a clear view without having to clean glass. It is a stainless steel wire balustrade that gives an open feel on your decking, while needing minimal maintenance. The system is delivered as a made-to-measure kit, ready to install on your patio.
Important: Because the wires run horizontally, the balustrade can be climbed. We therefore recommend Tenso only for installations close to ground level where a compliant fall-protection barrier is not required.
The balustrade is made of marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316) to withstand salty air and demanding outdoor environments. The slim design also works as a divider indoors and can be combined with a top rail in timber or stainless steel.
Tenso is delivered as a complete kit, made to measure for your order. All parts are pre-drilled and ready to install on timber decking, concrete or other flat surfaces. Screws, fixings and installation templates are included in the delivery.
Here's how it works:
You choose the fixing directly in the configurator, based on where the balustrade will be installed:
All options have been tested to ensure they meet safety requirements in various environments and on different surfaces.
Below are clips from some of our installation videos. Once you've placed your order, you'll receive links to videos showing how to install the balustrade with the specific parts you've chosen.
Tenso is manufactured at our facility in Ängelholm. Through in-house design and production, we ensure that every balustrade is of high quality and supplied with a declaration of performance setting out its technical properties.
The manufacturing process is certified under EN 1090-1, which means that production is continuously monitored by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) to ensure traceability and quality through external oversight.
The balustrade is made exclusively of marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316) to ensure long-lasting durability both indoors and outdoors.
Here you’ll find technical specifications, dimensions, installation instructions and declarations of performance for Tenso.
This information provides a clear picture of how the balustrade is constructed and helps you plan, compare, and install the right solution for your project.
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
Runda stolpar i rostfritt stål med en diameter på 42 mm. För inomhus: AISI 304 och för utomhusbruk: AISI 316.
Stainless steel AISI 304/316
If your wire 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.
Wire Ø 4 mm
The wires are stainless steel with a diameter of 4 mm, in marine-grade AISI 316.
Material thickness 2 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 concrete, 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 use in cracked concrete, uncracked concrete, and hollow-core slabs. Also suitable for solid brick, hollow brick, solid Mexi brick, and natural stone. For fixing in 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.
Measurement
Measure from the nosing of the top step to the nosing of the bottom step.
Choice of balustrade height
The staircase balustrade has the same height as the rest of the balustrade.
Made to the millimetre
Please enter your staircase measurements to the millimetre. We make your balustrade to the millimetre so that it fits exactly where you want it.
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.
Class C
Class C balustrades are suitable for use at ground level. Where the balustrade has glass, this is safety glass that prevents injury in the event of an impact. A balustrade can become class C if Balustradedesign, together with you as the customer, makes a change to the balustrade that departs from our standard. Class C then means that this specific configuration has not been tested.
