The main goal of railings is to provide security, but it can add to the aesthetics of your home as well. When choosing the right one for yourself, you need to keep in mind the placement intended for it, as a lot will depend on it. Aspects such as materials used, required measurements and installation methods will often be determined by the conditions they will have to withstand.
Popular materials
When choosing a railing for an indoor staircase or a balcony, picking the optimal material is essential. There are many options available on the market but not all of them will be a good fit for your project, which is why you need to carefully consider all the requirements before making the final decision. Among the most popular options are:
Wood is the most common material used in railings. It allows for a plethora of designs, which can be customized to best suit your needs and can be implemented both inside and outside of your house. It’s relatively cost-effective, but requires a lot of maintenance, especially when exposed to the weather conditions.
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Glass is also quickly gaining popularity and can be used in a variety of different projects. When installed indoors it gives you a feeling of open space, while still providing security. It is also a great choice for balconies, as it will provide all the benefits of a railing, without obstructing visibility. Another way to guarantee an elegant and sophisticated look for your house’s exterior is the installation of a glass Juliet balcony that you can check out on the Railing London website.
Steel is a very popular choice too. But despite steel being a very solid and long-lasting material, it’s also very susceptible to external conditions, which may lead to corrosion. That’s why it’s more frequently used indoors. It can be easily combined with other materials, therefore it provides many options for adapting it, depending on the intended result.
Measurements
Whether you’re installing a new railing or replacing an existing one, the thing you must keep in mind is getting all the necessary measurements before placing a new order. The primary goal of the fitting is to provide security to the users of a given area, therefore everything should be functional. The height of the handrail should be easily reachable and allow support when necessary and railings on the balcony should be high enough to prevent any accidents. This issue is often detailed in local building regulations, so you may want to check them before attempting installation.
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Installation
If you’ve already decided what type of railing you want to implement in your house, it’s time to choose how it’ll be installed. You have two options here: do it yourself or hire a professional to do it. Given enough experience in similar works, installing it shouldn’t be too complicated to carry out on your own. And if you’re accustomed to working on DIY projects, you probably already own all the tools you may need, such as a drill or a laser level. However, if you’re not feeling especially confident in your DIY abilities, you may want to invest in hiring a professional. As railings are supposed to guarantee safety to you and your family, it’s not an area in which you should look for savings. Professional help will ensure that the installation process goes smoothly and, most importantly, it will give you peace of mind, knowing that everything will definitely stay in its place in the event of an emergency.
