5 Important Features to Consider for Commercial Balustrades
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When it comes to specifying commercial balustrades, a number of practical and aesthetic considerations come into play. At Gatehouse Architectural, we understand the crucial role balustrades play in safety, design cohesion, and structural integrity within commercial environments.
What Are Commercial Balustrades?
Balustrades are essential architectural elements designed to provide safety and support along the edges of staircases, balconies, terraces and raised walkways. Typically made up of vertical posts (balusters), a handrail and often an infill panel or barrier, they help prevent falls and guide movement through a space. In commercial environments, balustrades also play an important visual role, enhancing the overall design and complementing the surrounding architecture. They can be constructed from materials such as glass, stainless steel, or aluminium, with the choice depending on both aesthetic preferences and specific safety requirements.
Different Types of Balustrades
When selecting a balustrade system for a commercial project, matching the technical requirements with the desired aesthetic and functional outcome is important. Below are common types of commercial balustrades and their advantages:
Frameless Balustrades
Frameless glass offers a clean and modern look. It provides clear views and allows natural light to flow through, making it ideal for offices and retail spaces.
Glass Balustrades
Glass systems suit many commercial settings. They enhance light, are easy to clean, and can be customised with different finishes for privacy or branding.
Stainless Steel Balustrades
Strong and resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is perfect for high-traffic areas. It requires little maintenance and works well indoors or outdoors.
Perforated Sheet or Mesh Balustrades
These provide durability, ventilation and visual interest. They are useful in places like car parks, schools or transport hubs where airflow and safety are important.
Metal Rod or Wire Balustrading
Rod or wire designs are simple and lightweight. They offer safety without blocking views and are a cost-effective choice for staircases and terraces.
5 Important Features to Consider for Commercial Balustrades
Whether for retail complexes, office buildings, hospitality venues, or public infrastructure, here are five key features to consider when selecting a commercial balustrade system.
Safety
Balustrade systems are primarily designed for safety and functionality, keeping people who are using staircases and balconies from falling over the edge. They should eliminate sharp edges and minimise the chance of injury by preventing issues like climbability, which is especially important in commercial environments that are accessible to children or vulnerable individuals.
Systems must comply with current UK Building Regulations and relevant British Standards (such as BS 6180), particularly when used in high-traffic areas like stairwells, balconies, and mezzanines. The balustrade must offer adequate load-bearing capacity and be constructed with materials that prevent collapse or detachment under pressure.
Maintenance
In busy commercial settings, maintenance considerations can significantly impact lifecycle costs. Opt for balustrades with corrosion-resistant finishes, such as powder-coated steel, anodised aluminium, or marine-grade stainless steel. These materials are particularly well-suited for external applications or humid environments.
Ease of access for cleaning and inspections should also be factored into the design. Glass panels, for instance, should be treated with anti-fingerprint or hydrophobic coatings to maintain their visual clarity with minimal upkeep.
Material Characteristics
Different materials bring varied benefits to a balustrade's performance and aesthetic. Glass offers a modern, open-plan look that enhances light flow and visibility. Stainless steel provides robust structural integrity and a sleek industrial finish. Timber or composite materials can introduce warmth and texture for more characterful designs.
The choice of material should reflect the intended use, the surrounding architecture, and client branding, where applicable. Importantly, all materials should be fire-rated and tested for commercial environments.
Durability & Traffic
Commercial balustrades must withstand continuous use and occasional impact. High footfall areas such as shopping centres, airports, and educational facilities demand reinforced systems capable of enduring daily wear without degradation.
Selecting components with high tensile strength and anti-corrosive properties is vital. Consider environmental exposure too; balustrades in coastal or industrial areas may need extra protection from pollutants or heavy rain.
Optimisation of Designs
Design optimisation isn’t solely about appearance; it's about aligning functionality, compliance, and visual appeal. Modular balustrade systems can be prefabricated off-site, reducing installation times and costs. Customisation options can elevate brand identity and ambience.
We work closely with architects and contractors to ensure our systems not only meet structural and legislative demands but also complement each project’s unique character and intent.
Our ZuBalustrades Range
Zubalustrades is our unique off-the-shelf range of balustrade products. Each of our ZuBar infill panels are detachable and modular, making transportation of products easier alongside the balustrade installation process. In comparison to our bespoke service at Gatehouse Architectural, Zubalustrades offers pre-fabricated solutions that allow for quick on-site installation. We offer a wide range of material types in our Zubalustrade range for both commercial and residential projects.
ZuBar
This range is our standard, functional and most cost-effective balustrade, typically used on stair cores or escape stairs.
Glass Balustrades
Glass systems suit many commercial settings. They enhance light, are easy to clean, and can be customised with different finishes for privacy or branding.
ZuLine
This balustrade system is similar to our standard ZuBar collection but equipped with horizontal infill rails or wire rope infill. Zuline is fabricated from either mild steel or stainless steel, with various finishes available.
ZuPlex
Our ZuPlex balustrades share construction similarities with ZuLine and ZuBar, their key difference being the type of infill panel used. ZuPlex incorporates either solid or perforated plate infills with various finishes available.
ZuRail - Handrails
ZuRail is our standard wall-mounted handrail range. This type of handrail is generally tubular, fitted with standard wall brackets and designed to follow the line or angle of your corridor or stair.
ZuTrac
Our frameless, glazed balustrade system is created using structural glass panels that are housed in a cast aluminium track. They are typically top-mounted or side-mounted with concealed fixings.
FAQs for Commercial Balustrades
Yes, many of our systems are specifically designed for external applications using weather-resistant materials.
More info
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