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Balcony Rails & Guards Catalog
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What Does It All Mean?
...Hand Railing Anatomy...
Top Cap: A - A decorative cap and the top grab surface of the rail.
Horizontals: A, B & C - The framework of the rail. The pickets (verticals attach here.
Verticals: D - Pickets. These are the rail members that give the rail its style.
Posts: E - The posts are used to attach the rail to the steps or to the ground.
Rings, collars or scrolls: F - Stylish embellishments of the rail.
Top Cap Ends: G - Used to end the top cap in style. Gives the user a smooth area to grab. Typically a ‘bull nose’ end is used. ‘Lambs tongue’ ends available.
Runner: H - The horizontal treads of the steps.
Riser: I - The vertical portion of the steps.
Nose to Nose: J - A measurement from one nose to the next.
Nose: K - The point where the riser & runner meet.
Installation: L - The point where the rail is installed into/onto your steps. This will be a core drill filled with anchoring cement for concrete steps or a square plate lag bolted to your wood steps. Other options are available.
Escutcheon Plate: M - A corrosion resistant cap that covers the rails anchor.
Every rail is based on a layout of 3 feet tall by 12" to 72" long, using 1", 1 5/8", or 1 1/4" square solid posts. Each rail is built custom to each step and the posts are drilled and concreted into the step. Every rail is welded together at every intersection. Rails are primed and painted black. An upgrade of premium finishes will include a sandblasted preparation and a custom colored powder coat finish with multiple coats. Rail styles and prices may vary as length and height ratios change. Custom rail panels are available to improve layout spacing as necessary.
Balcony rail layouts are typically a custom scenario. We are able to provide you with any number of balcony styles. This includes any style you choose from our step rail catalog or a custom designed rail style. Wikipedia defines: Balcony a kind of platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade... ...Alternatively it does not protrude out of the building, but is an open part of an upper floor, with a balustrade only at the front, and walls on the sides. Usually a door provides access to a balcony...We construct our balcony rails using the same high quality standards as our step railings.
ARE YOU GETTING YOUR MONEYS WORTH?
...an apples-to-apples comparison...
Materials
High Quality rail materials are all solid steel, such as round solid or square solid. Solid steel provides a stronger, more durable rail which in turn promotes a longer rail life.
Low Quality rail materials are hollow steel such as square tubing or round tubing. This hollowness will trap moisture causing the rail to rust from the inside out. This lessens the rails usable life.
Concept
High Quality rails are custom built to fit your steps. This provides a custom look. The rail will closely match the steps slope.
Low Quality rails are made to fit many steps, not allowing for any inconsistencies in the height of the steps.
Construction
High Quality It is best for the rail to be welded together at every material intersection. This helps the rail to last longer, by making the rail more rigid and durable.
Low Quality Rivets and other fasteners loosen and corrode over time. Eventually the rail will become flimsy and less structurally sound.
Basic Finish Coatings
High Quality When painting rails, it should be done with multiple coats, first a primer and a top finish coat.
Low Quality rails are only painted with one coat... The finish coat.
Premium Finish Coatings
High Quality rails are sand-blasted and finally coated with multiple baked on powder coats.
Low Quality rails are not sand-blasted or primed, they are only washed and powder coated with one top coat.
Installation
High Quality rails are installed into your masonry steps. Rail post locations are core-drilled into the steps and cemented into the step concrete. This makes the quality rail part of your steps giving you a sturdy structure. If the step is wood, lag bolts are used to screw the rail to your step, much the same way your step is screwed to its underlying structure.
Low Quality rail posts are attached to the porch via adapter collars & concrete anchor hardware. Concrete anchor hardware eventually loosens and allows the rail to wobble and loose strength and rigidity. Cast adapter collars are brittle and prone to breakage.