Balconies and verandas are one of the most effective ways of adding to the living space in any building. In hotels and commercial buildings, you can use them to provide space for your occupants to enjoy the view in the immediate surroundings or to hold corporate meetings and conferences. Of importance when designing these outdoor facilities is the safety of the occupants, especially when the facility is on the upper floors of a building. Balustrades help to restrict movement over the edges of balconies and verandas, preventing fatal accidents. Here are some of the material options at your disposal when setting up balustrades.

Timber

Wooden balustrades are the way to go if you are looking for a natural and rustic design. You can choose to leave them bare or sculpt the balustrades with artistic features that will add to the aesthetic appeal of the fittings. Alternatively, you can also stain the wood with various coloured stains or let them stay natural with a clear protective coating. For outdoor balustrades, there is a high exposure to destructive elements that can significantly reduce their durability. Using treated timber for such applications will ensure that moisture, ultraviolet radiation and other chemical agents do not wear down the fittings.

Fibre Cement

Concrete is another option, where you can build the balustrade like small pillars on the edge of the balcony or verandas. It is a good way of using extra sand and ballast left over after building walls, slabs and floors. The secret to success, in this case, is to use a strong construction material such as fibre cement, which doesn't fracture easily. It is a composite material made from cement, sand and cellulose for additional strength. Once the cement balustrades have been set in place, you can finish them off with a divine shade of paint for a killer look.

Glass Balustrades

Glass is the go-to material for a classy and contemporary look. Unlike the other materials, which are installed as evenly spaced posts, glass balustrades come as continuous sheets supported with frames or rivets alone. To add on that, glass is versatile, as it allows you to choose between frosted or clear glass and a range of tints to meet your aesthetic needs.

Stainless Steel Balustrades

Stainless steel is a reliably sturdy material with a very good aesthetic appeal. It works well with wood, glass and concrete, meaning that it won't limit you regarding the type of handrails that you can install. Furthermore, steel fabricators use several techniques to make sure that it stays resistant to rust and corrosion.

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