A Comparative Analysis of Balustrades: Wood, Glass or Metal?

If you have a flight of stairs anywhere on your property, that staircase requires a balustrade. This is not just a suggestion to make your interior and exterior decor look better, but it should be considered mandatory for the sake of safety. However, a balustrade that complements your décor, or even contrasts it to remain visible at night, adds so much more aesthetic appeal to a staircase.

The real question is if we were to keep both safety and décor elements in mind, which one would be the best choice? Should you go with wood, glass, or metal balustrade? There are pros and cons to each, which may make a choice somewhat tricky for homeowners. However, by the time you are done reading through our comparative analysis of the various types of balustrades, choosing the right fencing for your staircases should feel a lot easier.

Definition: Clear Your Confusion Regarding the Term

Balustrade as a term, was originally used to only designate the columns or shafts in between each stair and the handrail. However, it is also used nowadays to designate the whole staircase fencing.

This is an important aspect to consider since companies combine multiple materials in their construction and call the whole fencing system a balustrade. Others may only refer to the shafts and not the handrails while listing their products. Always be sure to check the description before deciding either way. Pictures may not be sufficient as they almost always showcase the full staircase, even if the company is only selling shafts.

What are the Different Types of Materials Used for Making Balustrades?

Balustrades can essentially be made from almost anything that is used in construction. It may not be the most comprehensive list, but the following few should provide readers with a clear idea of their options in Australia while choosing fences for their respective staircases.

• Glass
• Timber/wood
• Stainless steel
• Wrought iron
• Concrete
• Natural stone

For most Australian homes, concrete may not be the most aesthetic option, and natural stone balustrades might become too expensive to put in, which is why we will skip the two materials, as they are not feasible options in most homes.

Timber/Wood Balustrades: Pros and Cons

The main advantage of wood or timber is the visual appeal, and there's no beating the classic, sophisticated, and rich look of high-quality timber balustrades. Being wood, they also come in many shapes and sizes, with customizability options, if you wish to personalize your staircase fencing truly.

Unfortunately, wood balustrades also come with some innate issues that are inherent in all wood-made products. Although adequately cured and sealed timber can last for a long time, it will not last as long as metal balustrade fencings would. Even hardwood is susceptible to water damage, rot, termites, pest infestations, expansions, and contractions. Given that people's lives may depend on handrails, especially if you have children or seniors at home, wood may not always be the best option for fencing your stairs.

Wrought Iron Balustrades: Pros and Cons

Metal balustrades made from wrought iron can be crafted, molded, remolded, and personalized to the homeowner's specific taste in interior/exterior décor. Wrought iron scrolls and twists go back in history by centuries, as another classic material with a long and rich history of being in use for fencing stairs. Antique wrought iron balustrades, in particular, are extremely popular in large, lavish homes that have the right kind of décor for them.

Despite all these aesthetic advantages, wrought iron will rust without regular and careful maintenance. They simply cannot be compared with their metallic alloys, aka stainless steel, in terms of strength or durability.

Stainless Steel Balustrades: Pros and Cons

If you are looking for the absolute best in durability, safety, and aesthetics, then it's worth considering balustrade fences made out of stainless steel and glass. The alloy metal balustrade can also be combined with wood to retain the natural material's classic appeal while augmenting it with the strength to last for decades.

Instead of just reading about stainless steel and glass/wood balustrades, we highly recommend checking the Majestic Stairs website to see what kind of options you can have installed in your own home. For more customized options and proper advice that's catered specifically to suit your home's interior/exterior, do reach out to them.

Glass Balustrades: Pros and Cons

Glass balustrades are always beautiful because of the clarity that they provide. Although transparent glass fencing looks amazing, translucency is perhaps better for most homes since transparent glass will almost inevitably pick up smudges, handprints, and dust in no time at all. On the other hand, translucent glass balustrades have a rougher, matte-like texture to them, which will make it easier to maintain the fencing without constant wiping daily!

When combined with stainless steel for reinforcement, there is likely no downside to glass-made staircase fencing. Keep in mind that even without the metallic support, toughened glass can be sturdier than wrought iron all on its own too. Glass does not rot or rust, and a pest infestation is not a possibility here. Microbes do not mind living on glass, though, so you will still need to clean and disinfect your glass balustrades regularly to keep germs from accumulating on the glass surface.

For those who are wondering why aluminum was not mentioned, then that is largely because it is a very poor choice for this particular structure. Even though it is cheap and customizable, aluminum is soft, and highly susceptible to corrosion, and it just does not do much for aesthetics either. As already mentioned, balustrades are more than just about décor, given that they also provide safety. Choosing aluminum fencing just cannot be considered a cost-efficient option for that very reason. Even if you do go for aluminum balustrades, do make sure that it's not outside, or the weather in Perth will make you regret your decision much faster than you might imagine!