If your home has a stairway, then the risk of accidental trips or falls on the staircases is inherent. Adding a balustrading system to your stairway is a great way to improve safety in your home, especially if you're living with small kids and elderly people. Staircase balustrades act as a physical barrier that protects people from falling along the sides of a stairway. If you're contemplating incorporating a balustrading system into your stairway, making a choice from the different types of balustrades available on the market can be a daunting task.
Here is a look at some pros and cons of some of the most popular types of balustrades available for staircases:
Wood balustrades
Wood is one of the oldest construction products available today. As a construction material for staircase balustrades, wood is revered for its natural beauty, which varies by tree species. Because wood has rustic appeal, wood balustrades are a perfect choice for people with traditional-style homes, but they can also be used in modern-style homes. Perhaps the biggest issue with wood balustrading is that it is made from trees, which is a vital natural resource with regards to ensuring ecological balance. Luckily, wood is a renewable resource whose supply can be replenished by simply planting more trees.
Stainless steel balustrades
As steel is one of the strongest metal on Earth, stainless steel balustrades are best known for their robustness. These balustrades make the best option when maximum strength and longevity is desired. They come in a range of metal finishes, which serve both functional and aesthetic purposes — the finishing protect the underlying metal from rust and corrosion, but also add to the beauty of the final product. As the finishing on stainless steel balustrades will wear down over time due to everyday use, occasional refinishing will be required to keep the balustrading looking pristine again. Steel balustrades may be relatively expensive to install compared to other available options on the market, but their low life-cycle costs make them a more cost-effective option over the long-term.
Glass balustrades
If you're looking for something chic and urban, you should consider installing glass balustrades. Many people love these balustrades because of their see-through design, which looks attractive but also gives an illusion of a bigger space. Glass balustrades can either be semi-frameless or frameless, so you can choose something that looks good but also blends in well with your home interiors. Perhaps the biggest downsides of glass balustrades are that they are susceptible to scratching and require frequent cleaning to keep looking pristine.
With this information, picking the best material for your staircase balustrading needn't be hard. But you can still consult an expert if need be.
