Balcony Railings | Types And Materials
The balcony is one part of the home where extra precaution is needed to ensure the safety of the people that live in the home. They are usually built at the higher decking of the house. People, especially unwary kids can easily fall off from balconies and this why they are usually protected by the installation of balcony railings.
Types of Balconies
There are different designs of balconies but they can be grouped into three main types:
- False balcony: this type of balcony is usually constructed a few inches in the front of a window. This type is not usually fitted with aesthetics in mind.
- Faux balcony: This is the balcony of choice for people who are interested in improving the loveliness of their building. They are railings strategically placed at the front of windows.
- True balcony: This is the normal balcony found in most homes. They are roomy enough allowing people to move freely.
Over the years, balcony railings have moved from merely being a protective device to becoming one of the several articles used to give a face-lift to the home or office.
Giving that balcony railings serve very important functions in a building, careful consideration must be given to the choice of materials used in the making of balcony railings. The following points should be taken into account when shopping for materials for your balcony railing.
- Safety considerations: Bearing in mind that people love to bend over balconies while observing the scenery, the materials you choose for your balcony railings must be sturdy enough to carry the weight of persons leaning on them.
- Ornamental considerations: Your balcony railings have to harmonize with the general interior and exterior decoration plan of your building. Your choice of materials will go a long way in ensuring this harmony.
Types of Balcony Railings Material
There are several materials with which to make balcony railings. The main ones are listed below.
- Wood: This has always been the traditional material used in making balcony railings. Its major advantage is that it is strong and various designs can be made from it. Furthermore, it is not too expensive and the material is readily available. However, it has some major flaws. It is prone to rot and needs regular maintenance. To keep it looking fine, wood must be painted periodically making it expensive to maintain.
- Iron: This material is suitable for constructing balcony railings because of its strength. Because iron can be drawn into any shape, it can be used to make railings of different shapes and sizes. Iron also has its drawbacks. When exposed to damp air, the material tends to rust. This is why it must be painted every so often making it also very expensive to maintain.
- Aluminum: This material is a little bit more expensive than the other types of materials but it is most suitable for constructing balcony railings. It does not rot, rust, and requires little or no maintenance. It can be used alone or it can be combined with wood to give more aesthetic beauty.