All about metal balcony railings

Metal balconies are very popular due to their practicality, aesthetics and decorativeness. From the material of this article, you will find out what they are, what are remarkable, what materials they are made of, what decorative characteristics they have.

Balcony railings made of metal ensure the safety of people on the balconies. They are subject to strict requirements (GOST, SNiP), regulating the level of load on the railing and the height of the fence.

Balcony railings must be attached to the walls and base (embedded elements). For this, special fittings are mounted in the walls. Without it, the strength of the fence is noticeably reduced. Most often these are open structures, although when combined with other materials, they can become part of a closed balcony design.

Important requirements for metal structures are resistance to rust, surface smoothness, the absence of nicks, cracks. Metal parapets define the overall look and style of the balcony.

Metal railings keep a person leaning on the handrail. They do not scratch, do not break, are resistant to wind loads, withstand the additional weight of flower baskets and pots. They can be laconic or lavishly decorated with decorative elements.

They are resistant to temperature extremes, sunlight, frost. They are considered a versatile material, combined with other raw materials for finishing balconies and loggias. They are often combined with glazing, masonry. They differ in the variability of design (they are solid, blown, hollow, twisted).

Metal fences have a long service life (at least 10-15 years, and some up to 100). They require minimal restoration. They do not deform, they are not afraid of mechanical damage, they fit into the architectural style of the building, effectively decorating its facade.

Depending on the type of construction, metal balconies are divided into several varieties.

Forged parapets are made in the forges according to the customer's measurements. Before production, they discuss the design, height, color of the structure. The finished product is brought to the house. It is installed by means of spot welding.

Forged fences look extraordinary, differ in a variety of configurations and bizarre shapes. They are often decorated with shamrocks, arches, garlands, wrought-iron baskets. Such constructions are light and elegant, at the same time durable and reliable.

The appearance of welded parapets is similar to forged counterparts. The difference lies in the simpler manufacturing method. These are gratings that are welded from pieces of steel (cast iron) rods. Modifications can consist of one or several sections with a rectangular or trapezoidal arrangement.

They are of no less quality, while costing 2 times less forged ones. They are ordered by those who value the aesthetics of the fence, but their financial situation does not allow ordering an expensive forged version. The disadvantage of the product is the need for periodic touch-up and priming of welding seams.

These modifications are grid elements placed parallel to each other.In addition, they can be arranged in the form of a certain fantasy pattern. Their design is variable.

Composite structures involve the assembly of elements directly at the installation site. The modules have reliable groove joints and stiffening ribs.

Screen varieties of parapets are nothing more than solid sheets of material that are attached to vertical supports. Depending on the type of material of manufacture and design solutions, they can decorate the facades of buildings in different architectural styles.

They are able to give respectability to any balcony. They are often decorated with bronze elements and intricate patterns. Depending on the variety, they can allow insulation and balcony cladding. They have cast balusters in different stylistic directions.

Combined products are structures in which metal is the basis for other materials (for example, plastic, tempered glass, stone, wood, brick).

Balcony railings are made of stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, and other raw materials. Each type of material has its own characteristics.

Aluminum is resistant to atmospheric precipitation. It is immune to acids and chemicals. However, during operation it loses its original shine. When installing aluminum structures, special pins are required.

Most often, aluminum is used as a guide profile in combined type structures. These can be string structures, parapets with glass, horizontal or vertical pipes. The filler is triplex. In addition, aluminum structures are combined with mirrored or colored glass.

Steel options are more durable and more aesthetically pleasing than aluminum ones. The material is durable, reliable, and when tarnished, it can be processed, thanks to which it regains its original shine. Steel fences are resistant to weather precipitation and climatic conditions of different regions of the country. They don't need any special care.

Steel railings are ground and polished. Products of the first group are distinguished by the absence of prints on the metal surface. This is a worthy alternative to chrome-plated options, which is why they are in great demand among the customer.

Iron is the most demanded material when choosing raw materials for the manufacture of metal parapets for balconies and loggias. He has a lot of advantages, among which the key are strength, reliability, durability.

The disadvantage of the material is the need for constant maintenance (surface tinting). Metal structures are combined with wooden handrails, ropes, glass, pipes, square profiles.

The height of the fence in accordance with GOST is related to the total height of the building. If this figure is 30 m, then the height of the metal partition is 1 m. When the building is taller, the height rises to 110 cm. According to the established standard, the width between the vertical posts is 10-12 cm. At the same time, the presence of horizontal lintels in the railings is excluded.

These rules are written for multi-storey buildings. In preschool institutions, the height indicator must be at least 1.2 m. The same rule applies to those cases when children live in houses.

The stylistic solutions of metal railings for balconies of private and country houses can be very diverse. Laconic options have a traditional rectangular or linear shape. At the same time, details of fences can have different decorative elements (for example, ornate lace, curls, floral ornaments, geometric shapes).

The shape of the fences is varied. It can be simple, rounded, faceted - it depends on the shape of the balcony itself. The walls of the fences are linear, concave, convex. The shape of the parapet can be typical and radius.

Straight parapets are distinguished by clear lines, lack of pretentiousness. This makes them suitable for different facades. Even after many years, their design will not lose its relevance, it will look stylish.

French design is particularly sophisticated. Such fences usually frame small areas. Based on the shape of the balconies, they can be wavy and even angular.

Models for panoramic glazing are distinguished by the severity of forms and a minimum of decorations. Fences of this type provide for installation by sector. They are tube-shaped protective frames made of stainless steel.

Minimalism style models are laconic. They are often combined with glass. Metallic elements go well with laminated glass. Glass sheets can be of different sizes depending on the design.

Balcony railings made of several types of metal, subjected to various processing, look original on the facades of buildings.

We offer several examples of the original design of balconies using metal structures:

• an example of a wrought-iron balcony railing decorated with lattice inserts and lace ornamentation;

• balcony design option in a modern style with an emphasis on laconic lines;

• wrought iron sectional fence made of metal with stands for flowers and floral decorative elements;

• stylish design of a small balcony with a decor in the form of grape vines with fruits braiding vertical twigs;

• the choice of a forged structure with an ornate pattern for finishing an open-type balcony;

• spectacular balcony railing with a wavy top edge and an airy openwork pattern;

• laconic lattice construction with a geometric pattern.