There is an unusual story with railings during World War II. To meet the need for munitions, ships and vehicles in combat, various fences and railings in the City of London were removed for reuse. However, the true fate of the fragments is unclear: some say they were thrown into the Thames or became ballast on ships because they could not be recovered. The reason is that at the time they were all made from cast iron, which was difficult to recycle, unlike the sheer number of materials and designs available today. However, their function has not changed: balustrades provide protection for passengers and can be an important element of a building. In this article, we will explain how to identify and design different types of railings based on the different materials available.
Safety railings should be installed around fall risk areas, stairs, ramps, mezzanines, corridors, balconies and openings of more than one step (usually using markers 40 cm high). They are ubiquitous in our cities and often overlooked. Basically they consist of 4 main parts: handrail, center post, bottom rail and main shaft (or balustrade) and should be strong and durable. With the many options available today, railings can mix materials, become more or less opaque, and adapt to different budgets. Below we highlight some of the materials that can be used to make different components and types of railings, all of which can be found in the Hollaender product catalog:
The outer frame of the balustrade is especially important as it is the main anchor point of the structure. These can be armrests, interior panels and other accessories.
Lightweight, strong and corrosion resistant, aluminum is a very common choice for railings. This material also makes it possible to produce fences that are economical and easy to install.
When determining the best options for each project, it is important to consider whether the goal is to give a more industrial look or to level fittings that provide a very pleasing architectural and aesthetic look. Or, if convenience is the goal, choose an ADA-compliant aluminum handrail assembly kit.
Stainless steel is stronger and tougher than aluminum, but it can also be a more expensive option. In addition, it allows you to create more subtle connections between components, as well as more visible textures.
As with the aluminum option, recessed lighting can be included as well as glass panels in a streamlined and modulated form, reducing the need for horizontal elements and allowing more visual permeability to the sets.
Constructed from thick tempered glass panels, the structured glass balustrade has extruded aluminum shoes and can be clad in stainless steel or aluminum. At the top, armrests are available in round and U-shaped channels in a variety of materials and finishes, with wood being a popular choice.
Glass can also be fixed vertically with screws to give the viewer the impression of a “glass wall”.
Fillers can also be affected by certain factors, which are described below. In some cases, the space under the handrail may be completely empty, such as on the grandstand stairs or against a wall. The level of opacity is another important factor as well as the security that each material or solution can provide:
A very traditional choice, the vertical sections are evenly spaced, creating a unique rhythm reminiscent of old balustrade examples. It is an economical and aesthetic solution for any building project.
Glass is ideal for projects requiring practical transparency and a discreet system. The most commonly used tempered monolithic glass is 3/8 inch thick, but this can vary. Some regulations and jurisdictions require tempered glass to be laminated, providing greater security in the event of breakage. Various colors are also available – transparent, dyed and matte – as well as artistic patterns that can be used for decoration.
Metal mesh combines transparency and economy. The 2″ x 2″ square patterns are the most common, although they may come in other sizes and orientations. In this case, the most common materials are carbon steel and powder coated aluminum.
Perforated sheets provide some transparency but adhere more tightly. Pattern options in this case abound, they are made of carbon steel with electronic coating and powder or powder coated aluminum with a maximum open area of ​​50%.
Polymer sheets, commonly referred to as plastics, have two general chemical compositions. Generally speaking, acrylic sheets are harder but have lower fire resistance than PETG (polyethylene) filled sheets. Both are more expensive than glass, but can withstand at least 3/8 inch thick structural loads if properly secured to posts or railings.
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