In modern homes and commercial establishments, stainless steel balustrades are the most popular option.  It is a popular option for both indoor and outdoor requirements.  Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it also requires low maintenance.

Australian Balustrade Regulations

There are many companies that supply stainless steel balustrades.  However, you need to choose wisely because they need to comply or even surpass the standards of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).  You need to ensure that the stainless steel products that you are purchasing are tested to meet the requirements. Betta Balustrades knows and complies with BCA regulations, being a trusted name in the industry since 1978.

First off, balustrades should have a fall between 1 to 4 meters. This means that the top of the handrail should be at least 1 meter from the floor, especially if the balustrade is placed as a balcony or deck.  Also, it is highly discouraged to use horizontal wires for balustrades with a fall of 4 meters or more. There are actually specific regulations for the construction of horizontal wire systems, non-continuous vertical wire systems, or continuous vertical wire systems.

BCA also has very clear regulations for permissible deflection, particularly when a 2 kilogram mass is suspended at mid span, and the construction of barriers when there are openings in balustrades.

Stainless Steel Options

There are many options to consider for stainless steel balustrades.  There are different grades of steel, depending on whether you will use it for indoor or outdoor purposes.  A professional customer service staff from your supplier should be able to assist you and give you the correct information.  Corrosion resistance is also very important for balustrades, especially when they will be used outdoors and they will be exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Surface finishing is also an important consideration. It is recommended that a surface finish of 320 Grit be used on stainless steel balustrades.

For a variety of designs, many suppliers offer either the steel rod design or the wire rope design.  Steel rod designs are usually used for commercial establishments and places in stairways and balconies.  Stainless wire balustrade systems, on the other hand, are ideal for domestic use, such as in balconies and decks.  It is characterized by a cylindrical top rail connected by a wire rope infill.

There are also many options for stainless steel posts such as pre drilled posts, blank posts, or basic posts with welded flanges and screws. There are even posts with adjustable tee and a round base.

Although stainless steel balustrades are not completely maintenance free, they are very easy to clean.  They do need cleaning especially when they are located outdoors. Standard cleaning materials are soap and water, although for heavy discoloration, a stainless cleaning gel might be needed.

Installation of Stainless Steel Balustrades

Many suppliers and manufacturers supply customers with the easiest assembly instructions so that they are able to install their steel balustrades efficiently and quickly.  One of the greatest advantages of steel systems is that they are flexible. They can easily be fixed into wood, metal, stone or brick.  They also look good whether they are used indoors or outdoors.