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Derived from the French word balustre, the word balustrade is defined as a railing supported by a row of small columns called balusters. Balustrades line staircases, terraces and balconies, and are primarily designed to prevent accidents and falls. They add to the decor, too. One can pick from a choice of materials, such as steel, glass and stone. But which material is most suitable for a balustrade and why? Let’s understand the pros and cons.

Though balustrades come in different kinds of materials (such as wood and aluminium), steel, glass and concrete are more popular, because they can be used both indoors and outdoors. Let’s dig deeper and explore which one is more suited for your requirements.

Steel

Steel is a preferred balustrade material because of its sturdiness and versatility, making it ideal for both internal and alfresco areas. One can go for a matte finish for a sleek modern look – or shiny for a little glamour.

There are two kinds of steel used for balustrades – stainless and mild. Both offer high durability, safety and strength.

1. Durability
Both mild and stainless steel are highly durable. Stainless steel is maintenance-free and does not require any painting once installed. The weather-proof material can withstand harsh winters and rain. Being heavy and robust, both kinds of steel hold firmly to the base, enhancing durability. Steel is more durable than glass and with the right care, may outlast concrete too.

The rust-proof layer of chromium oxide prevents stainless steel balustrades from corroding. Mild steel is more prone to corrosion than stainless steel but periodic painting can solve this problem.

2. Maintenance
A little elbow grease is all you need to keep stainless steel clean – sans the need for any special cleansers. Just wipe with a clean cloth and buff for some shine. In case of stubborn stains, warm soapy water and a light scrub is all you need. It’s easier to maintain than glass but requires more effort than concrete.

3. Sense of expanse
Versatile steel is available in different design styles. Like glass, one can go for sleek slats or lines to add to the sense of expanse.

4. Aesthetics
Steel can be easily customised to get sleek, clean-lined designs or ornamental patterns to lend a contemporary or vintage vibe. Usually, steel is heated and then bent and shaped into the desired form. Like glass and concrete, it adds to the aesthetics.

5. Eco-friendly
While steel is 100 per cent recyclable, it is not a very eco-friendly material. The production and installation alone adds to the carbon footprint. On the basis of weight, steel has a much higher embodied carbon footprint than concrete. Glass has the lowest out of the three.

6. Cost
Installing steel balustrades is a labour-intensive process. Skilled welders are needed, as the installation process is intricate and requires attention to detail. Considering the added labour and installation, steel balustrades are costlier than glass but more economical than concrete balustrades.

7. Safety
Like concrete, steel is a robust and sturdy balustrade material that offers excellent safety when installed properly. It’s a much stronger material than glass. However one should ensure the balustrade is high enough to prevent kids from climbing. One should regularly check for surface deterioration and rusting, which might loosen the balustrade structure with time.

Safety glass

Safety glass is a stylish, versatile and sleek option for modern homes. It is often referred to as toughened glass. The glass is tempered and laminated – making it more difficult to break and shatter. It is manufactured in a way that even if the panel brakes, the glass will crumble into minuscule chunks and remain bonded together in the laminated glass panel, thus minimising risks of injury. Safety glass is much sturdier than regular glass.

1. Durability
Robust glass is a durable option for balustrades. Framed glass balustrades feature stainless steel or aluminium structural frames, and the panels are designed to fit neatly within the same. The frameless ones are anchored to the substrate via spigots, standoffs or channels and forgo any structural frame. For frameless balustrades., safety glass should be at least 15 millimetres thick, and for framed ones it should be at least 10 millimetres thick.

In outdoor areas, the heat from sunlight leads to high levels of glass expansion and contraction. The stress may cause the glass to break. Safety glass has high thermal damage resistance and heat-withstanding capacity, which enhances durability. However, it is not as durable as steel and concrete that may last a lifetime.

Safety glass is known for its high levels of resistance to corrosion. It is more corrosion-proof than steel but lower than concrete, because glass can get scratched and smudgy over the years.

2. Maintenance
Glass balustrades require frequent washing and cleaning to maintain the finish. In particular, marks are easily visible on transparent glass. Also, glass is more prone to scratches compared to steel or concrete. While safety glass is much sturdier than regular glass, it is not as sturdy as wood or steel. Especially for people living in high-rises, steel provides a much more robust option.

3. Sense of expanse
In smaller zones like balconies, transparent glass also creates the illusion of more space. Glass balustrades allow natural light to filter through without restricting views compared to the other two materials. Privacy can be an issue when using transparent glass outdoors in areas such as terraces and balconies as compared to steel or concrete variations. Opaque or translucent glass can help counteract this privacy problem.

4. Aesthetics
With its crisp and clean lines, glass lends a touch of lightness to both internal and external areas – unlike steel or concrete. It creates a sense of understated luxury and lends a sleek finish.

5. Eco-friendly
Made from sand, glass is sustainable and 100 per cent recyclable – no part of the glass need go to waste or cause damage to the environment. While the glass manufacture process does result in release of toxic gases, it has a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel.

6. Cost
On the price front, the installation and material cost of glass is the lowest as compared to the other two.

7. Safety
Unlike steel or wood, glass balustrades don’t have slats or openings, so that’s an added safety measure, as limbs cannot get inserted and stuck in gaps. However, even toughened glass does not compare with steel or concrete where robustness is concerned. Especially for people living in high-rises, steel provides a more safer option.

Concrete

Concrete balustrades offer a traditional look that will never go out of style. The prefabricated or precast concrete used in balustrades is prepared, cast and cured off-site – usually in factories. Concrete offers more variations in terms of design and shape than natural stone like granite or marble.

1. Durability
Concrete is resistant to corrosion, weather damage and pest infestation, making it extremely durable, and it lasts for decades. Precast concrete is fire-resistant and, in case of a fire, does not drip molten particles, isn’t flammable and doesn’t set other materials on fire.

While concrete in its actual form doesn’t corrode easily, moisture and chloride ions from metals in it may lead to corrosion. For example, if the steel rebar deteriorates, it causes the concrete to expand and corrode. But on the whole, concrete is not very prone to corrosion or damage like glass and stainless steel.

2. Maintenance
Concrete balustrades are known for being fuss-free. It can be cleaned using mild soap and water. However, with time, spalling (crumbling or flaking) may occur and it is best to repair such splits and cracks. Like stainless steel, it’s easier to maintain, especially when compared to glass.

3. Sense of expanse
Unlike glass and steel, the design of concrete balustrades reinforces boundaries and doesn’t add to sense of expanse.

4. Aesthetics
Available in a multitude of finishes, colours and shapes, concrete is a flexible pick for balustrades like glass and steel. A concrete balustrade usually comprises a row of columns and a handrail. It can be simple or complex, carved or hollowed, as per the design requirement.

5. Eco-friendly
In its raw form concrete consists of water, sand, gravel and cement is environmentally friendly and 100 percent recyclable. The industrial process of mixing materials with concrete and application process can lead to air, water and land pollution. Concrete has a higher carbon footprint than glass but lower than steel.

6. Costs
Concrete needs to be sealed for protection and the entire process can be labour intensive. If not installed properly, concrete tends to trap moisture, which reduces its longevity. High installation costs make concrete balustrades the most expensive than glass and steel.

7. Safety
Like steel, concrete balustrades are a sturdy and safe option, especially in comparison to glass. Concrete is inherently a strong structural material, which adds to the safety aspect.

What should you go for?
If you want a seamless, contemporary finish, then go for glass balustrades, especially if you want to enjoy a sense of spaciousness. Steel is durable and easy to maintain, thus more used in balconies. If you want to bring back the old-world charm, concrete is a better option.