Picking a balustrade
Glass. Frameless or with slim posts, glass keeps the view open. It's popular in Wynyard and Kirklevington, where gardens look out over fields or trees. Glass needs cleaning now and then, especially near busy roads.
Aluminium. Powder-coated spindles or bars in black, grey or white. Smart, strong and almost maintenance-free. A good match for modern windows.
Timber or composite. Square spindles and a broad top rail you can rest a glass on. These suit older homes and lower decks where a lighter touch is enough.
Height and strength
Where a deck is high enough to need guarding, we build it to the height in Building Regulations guidance and fix posts into the frame, not the boards. A balustrade should feel completely solid when you lean on it.
Steps
We make steps wide enough to pass someone on, and keep every riser the same height so nobody stumbles. On multi-level decks we often run a step the full width between levels, which doubles as extra seating.
Light
Low-voltage LEDs are safe and cheap to run. We fit them in step risers, in post caps, under handrails or along the fascia. A few well-placed lights are better than many: you want to see the steps and the edges, and enjoy a soft glow, not floodlight the garden.
Cables run inside the frame to a transformer plugged into an outdoor socket. If you need a new socket, a qualified electrician fits it first.
Adding to an older deck
If your deck is sound but feels unfinished, we can add balustrades, rebuild steps or fit lights. If the frame isn't up to it, we'll say so and talk about replacement.
Questions we get asked
What height does a balustrade need to be?
It depends on where it is and how high the deck is. We follow Building Regulations guidance for the situation and check it at the visit.
Do glass panels need much cleaning?
A wipe every so often keeps them clear. Rain marks and pollen show more on glass than on aluminium, so if you'd rather not clean, aluminium may suit you better.