IN THIS POST
– Concrete Parapets
– Waist-High Glass Railings
– Cable or Wire Rope Railings
– Chic Metal Railings
– Ornate Wrought Iron Railings
– Fence-Style Wooden Railings
– Patterned PVC or Vinyl Railings
Whether you are finalizing the plans to construct your dream home or renovating an existing one, you need to be extra careful while selecting the balcony railing design as it can have a huge impact on the overall appearance of your place.
The balcony railing design that you choose must compliment the theme of your home, not hinder the view of the outside world, should maintain your privacy, be aesthetically pleasing, and most importantly, must be safe. You may also need to childproof your balcony railings by installing a safety net or a screen.
Moreover, you must make sure your balcony design doesn’t violate the local building bylaws. The standard balcony railing height for homes is between 36 to 40 inches. However, this measurement may slightly vary with each local development authority.
Balcony Railing Designs
Here are some of the most popular balcony railing ideas that are both beautiful and timeless.
- Concrete Parapets
- Waist-High Glass Railings
- Cable or Wire Rope Railings
- Chic Metal Railings
- Ornate Wrought Iron Railings
- Fence-Style Wooden Railings
- Patterned PVC or Vinyl Railings
Let’s discuss this blend of traditional and modern railing designs for the balcony in detail.
Concrete Parapets
This is easily the most common type of balcony found in houses and apartments across Pakistan.
Concrete parapet can be defined as a low wall that spans around the perimeter of the balcony. It is usually designed during the construction phase and can be painted according to your home’s colour palette. Homeowners who find a walled balcony a bit boring can upgrade it with short stainless steel or aluminium railings for a more lavish look. You can also decorate the space with potted plants, utilize the space to do some kitchen gardening and even start growing your own organic produce.
This type of railing is not only practical and budget-friendly, but it also ensures utmost safety and privacy. In addition to that, concrete parapets are easy to maintain and don’t require much upkeep.
Waist-High Glass Railings
Does your balcony overlook a garden, ocean, or simply present a beautiful view? If so, you need to make sure the balcony railing design you select for your home doesn’t obstruct your view or keep you from enjoying the outside world.
Glass balcony railings are the perfect solution to this problem. Installing a waist-high balcony railing made of clear glass will make the façade of your home look sleek and contemporary along with maximizing your view.
Ideally, tempered glass with a thickness of about 8 to 12 millimetres is ideal for this purpose. These panels are secured in place using steel brackets, which makes them safe and secure. However, you can opt for a thicker glass panel if you are extra concerned about the safety.
A short aluminium railing can also be added atop the glass panels for a more defined look.
It is also important to mention that glass balcony railings are easy to clean and maintain.
Cable or Wire Rope Railings
Are you looking for a modern balcony railing that is affordable and safe along with being aesthetically pleasing? If that’s the case, you should consider installing cable or wire rope railing.
This type of balcony railing is made of strong stainless steel cables attached to wooden or metallic posts either in a vertical or horizontal fashion. Moving away from traditional infill designs, cable railing gives your home a more contemporary look with its clean, minimalistic lines maximizing the space without compromising on your safety. Cable railing is a perfect option for homes as it allows natural light to filter inside and keeps your view completely open.
The price of these cables is relatively cheap, but the posts can be a little pricey. However, since it’s a one-time investment, you can try and splurge a little.
While these cable wires don’t break, they can eventually lose their tension due to harsh weather conditions. Fortunately, they are easy to repair and won’t cost you much in maintenance either.
Chic Metal Railings
Metal balcony railings are a great fit for minimalistic houses and apartments. These railings are durable, sturdy, practical and rather budget-friendly. They also offer complete safety, making it an ideal choice for homes with children or pets.
You can find this type of balcony railing in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on your budget as well as personal style preferences, you can have an option to choose between aluminium, stainless steel, brass or bronze for your metal railings. You can also have these railings custom-made to fit your requirements.
The basic structure of these balcony railings is pretty simple. Metallic posts are installed at the edge of your balcony and then a top handrail is welded on top of it. Infill panels or metal bars are also installed for safety purposes.
You can also paint the metal balcony grill to complement your home’s colour palette.
Ornate Wrought Iron Railings
Traditional wrought iron railings on your balcony can add a touch of rustic charm and elegance to your home’s exterior. These beautiful railings are incredibly hard-wearing and resilient, which makes them last for a very long time. Moreover, they aren’t easy to break and thus very safe.
Other than that, wrought iron balcony railings are rather easy to maintain. All you need to do to keep them from corroding is coating them with paint on a regular basis. Since this material can be moulded into different patterns and shapes, you can have your favourite design custom made without much hassle.
However, this balcony railing design can put a dent in your bank account. Wrought iron balcony grills are very expensive, largely because they are difficult to make. The material itself isn’t cheap either. In addition to that, these railings can corrode beyond repair if exposed to humid or wet weather conditions for prolonged periods without much maintenance.
Fence-Style Wooden Railings
Wooden balcony railings have always been a popular choice in the northern parts of Pakistan. However, you can now find them in a lot of apartment buildings and houses all over the country.
One of the main reasons behind the growing popularity of wooden balcony railings is its aesthetic appeal. Though a little costly, this type of railing can add a rustic charm to the façade of your home and subsequently add to its value.
Fence-style wooden railings neither take up a lot of space nor do they hinder your view. They are also pretty strong and long-lasting. The structure of wooden balcony railings is pretty similar to that of the metallic ones. They consist of wooden posts or balustrades and have wooden panels attached to them in a vertical or horizontal manner. Usually, steel brackets are used to hold the infill panels together.
The only drawback of installing this type of balcony railing is that wood is prone to warping and splintering. Not to mention, if exposed to harsh weather conditions, the material may also swell or contract over time. It can also rot if not treated with proper care.
Patterned PVC or Vinyl Railings
When it comes to modern railing designs for balcony, PVC or vinyl railings are a really great and budget-friendly option. They can enhance the visual appeal of an otherwise boring space while maintaining your privacy. Owing to its durability and strength, vinyl railings are also pretty safe and don’t give away easily.
These vinyl balcony railings are available in a multitude of styles, designs, patterns, shapes, sizes. The colour choices, however, are limited.
Moreover, vinyl railings require very little maintenance. They do not rot, bend or discolour over time. Similarly, they are not susceptible to rust and corrosion. PVC is also resistant to fire. These balcony railings boast a smooth and splinter-free surface that requires minimal upkeep. All you need to do is clean them with a clean microfiber cloth and they’ll be as good as new.
On the flip side, vinyl doesn’t hold paint very well. Therefore, if you like to update your colour palette every few years, you probably won’t be able to paint the railing.
So, which of these balcony design ideas would be perfect for your dream home? Let us know your thoughts and comments by emailing at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for balcony décor ideas to upgrade one of the most widely-ignored corners of your home, our easy-to-follow guide on the topic might inspire you. On the other hand, you might also find these tips on how to decorate a terrace useful.
For more on home improvement and designs, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the best home décor and property blog in Pakistan. You can also subscribe to our newsletter on the right if you are interested in learning more about the current lifestyle, construction and real estate trends in the country.
