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Balustrade Information
Balustrade is made up of the top rail, the baluster (or spindles) and the base rail or plinth. Balustrade serves both as decoration and as a barrier. For balustrade that does not serve as a safety rail, (protecting from a hazard such as a pool or a drop off over 3' (1meter), balustrade can generally be of any size or height. Where the balustrade serves as a safety rail, it must meet the local codes. These generally require a height of 42" overall and a 4" ball cannot pass through at any point. The 4" ball code is to prevent a small child from slipping through the railing. Balustrade has been used for thousands of years. It is typically divided into three main types depending on the baluster used:
- Single Belly- what we call our "G" series of balusters.
- Double Belly- our "J" series of balusters.
- Cyma Reversa- our "R" series of balusters.
Cap and base rails are supplied in 4' lengths. Balusters are doweled for fastening. If you need help with your balustrade layout please contact us. As a service to our valued clients, if you send us a dimensioned sketch of the area requiring a balustrade, we will supply you with detailed shop drawings showing pieces required, layout, piers, etc. Ramped Balustrade for stairs is available. Simply specify the angle or pitch of the balustrade needed. Spiral and Curved Stairs requires a special rail with a compound curve. A simple curved rail will not work up a stair. Please contact us for design assistance. Curves are available, often from stock molds. Standards are 8", 16", and 32" radii. Other curves require a small setup charge. Piers are available in several styles and sizes to match the baluster types. Standards are the under rail pier, the above the rail pier, the Bow and Swag pier.
Height RequirementsBalustrade's protecting a 3' drop or protecting pools must be 36" or 42" in height to meet codes and to prevent falls. Review your local building codes.
Definitions:
Please find following several important terms when dealing with balustrade
- Balustrade
- a railing made up of columns set in a row.
- Baluster
- the individual columns or spindles that are lined up in a row to create a balustrade.
- Hand Rail
- the top rail of a balustrade set above the balusters.
- Plinth
- the base rail of a balustrade, set below the balusters.
- Pier
- a squared or rectangular termination or separation in a row of balusters.
- Over Rail Piers
- rise above the top rail of the balustrade.
- Under Rail Piers
- set below the top rail of the balustrade, even in height with the balusters.
We produce balustrade in several materials:
- Cast Stone Balustrade
- Fiberglass Balustrade
- GFRS Balustrade
- GRG Balustrade
- Bronze Clad Balustrade
- GFRC Balustrade
Styles and materials:
- Stair balustrade
- On stairways, the balusters themselves are cut at the appropriate angle at the top and bottom. Alternately, a wedge piece is provided to use at the top and bottom of each baluster.
- Curved Stairs
- On curved stairs or swept stairs, the balustrade top and bottom rail must be curved to the angle of the stair and the radius of the curve. If you need curved stair balustrading, please provide step sizes or angle to the slope and the radius of the curve. An up-charge for the tooling of curved stair balustrading applies.
- Curved Balustrade
- We produce a series of curved top and bottom rails in a series of standard curves from 4' in radius to 120' radius. If you need a custom radius, you can provide us with the radius or with a template of the curve desired for your balustrade. Design Hint: in order to keep costs down, avoid random "free form" curves with no fixed radius. They require multiple set up charges and templates of each section.
- Cast Stone
- Cast Stone balusters closely resemble carved limestone. We take crushed limestone and white concrete and compress it into forms. The result is virtually indistinguishable from carved stone. Cast Stone balustrade is very low maintenance and very attractive. The cast stone balustrade is, however, heavy. It weighs anywhere from 85 to 140 lbs. per linear foot. Cast stone balustrade is set using either mortar or adhesive. The cast stone base rail is set in a bed of mortar. The cast stone balusters are doweled and set with mortar and the cap rail mortared in place. Cast Stone balustrade is used in both new construction and restoration.
- GFRS
- Glass Fiber Reinforced Stone closely resembles stone. It weighs about 3lbs. per square foot, so a typical balustrade assembly usually weighs less than 20lbs. per linear foot. The top and bottom rail dowels to the balustrade, and installation is extremely quick and easy. Most people cannot distinguish by sight GFRS from cut limestone. It is perfect for balconies, homes, and hotels. GFRS is tough and will not rot, rust, and is impervious to water or acids.
- Fiberglass
- Where the balustrade is to give a painted or finished appearance, fiberglass if an excellent choice. It is light, strong and easy to handle. It is impervious to water, freezing, salt, acid and most chemicals. It can be ordered in white or a custom color, or can be painted on site.
- GFRC
- GFRC balustrade is glass fiber reinforced concrete. Balustrade made with GFRC has the look of architectural precast but at a fraction of the weight. GFRC railing is light, beautiful and functional. If you have any questions about cast stone, GFRG, Coral Stone, GFRC, FRC, GRC, Marble Clad, Stone Clad, Bronze Clad, fiberglass or any of the other materials, give us a call. Alternately, you can click on the links for more information. Samples and specifications are available.
- Marble Clad
- Marble Clad is an exciting new material from Stromberg Studios; The beauty of marble in a molded material. Imagine the ability to design columns, domes, panels, moldings, and sculpture with the look of carved marble at a fraction of the cost and at a consistent quality. Marble Clad is created from marble, which is crushed and ground and then reconstructed under pressure in a method which recreates what nature took millions of years to do. By the use of glass fiber reinforcing, the material averages just 3/16" in thickness. Domes, moldings, and sculpture can be light weight and strong. Shapes and sizes, which are impossible in carved marble, are achievable in Marble Clad. Besides the standard line of products shown, you can order any of the other Stromberg castings in Marble Clad or you can create your own design. Bring us your ideas and let us help you create them.
- Coral Stone
- Coral Stone is a perfect duplicate of carved coral stone. The fossils of ancient corals and their rough texture are a dramatic contrast to the carved and turned shapes. Coral Stone balusters are available in all of the styles shown.
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