Wrap your deck, balcony, or terrace in just the right railings

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 8

Wrap your deck, balcony, or terrace in just the right railings

LANDSCAPING YOUR HOME

Gilbert Brakey

Balustrades and railings can be used very effectively in a variety of situations. They need to be both functional and aesthetically pleasant in appearance. Their design can be intricate and decorative, or plain and simple, what ever is approprate to the situation.

Where then do we commonly find balustrades and railings? Often a railing can be used beside stairways or steps. They can, however, be omitted where there are less than five risers, for example. We usually think mostly of a railing for steep steps, but this is 'not the only time it should be installed. Low stairways can, in fact, be much safer touse if a railing is provided.

Railings . are essential

where elderly or handicapped persons are likely to use the stairway. The railing can act as a means of support, and with appropriate designing can prevent children from falling over the edges of longer and higher stairway flights.

The railings alongside steps and stairways can vary from very open structures such as a simple post and chain, a wrought iron railing, or an open timber type railing to a solid structure.

Solid structures can include a solid wall with hand rail attached, or a low timber structure sheathed with exterior plywood, a fence siding, asbestos sheeting, glass or plastic. Railings beside stairways need to be carefully designed to follow the upward rise of a flight of

steps and tire flow uninterupted around landings producing a pleasant transition from one level to the next. Balustrades and railings are normally found around raised decks, and terraces. Often they may be required for purely psychological reasons, to act as a boundary definition preventing children and adults from stepping off an unexpected edge. The'perimeter or boundary of a terrace or deck may need a visual definition, a finish to the area. This visual dr psychological boundary on low level decks and terraces, can be a bench seat with a back rest. This indicates the boundary, but it will not necessarily stop children from jumping across. Where safety is important on a terrace, deck, or balcony the balustrades or railings should be designed to prevent children from climbing through or over them. Horizontal boarding, for example, is irresistible to young and adventurous climbers.

Where the outward view is important give some thought to tire height and position of the handrail. Remember that you may want to enjoy the view from both a standing and sitting position.- A toughened glass balustrade may be the answer in this particular situation.

Low railings can also serve as useful seating, providing they are set at the right height and are reasonably wide. Where you need a higher railing or balustrade, the seating can be positioned at the correct height to the front of the balustrade forming one complete unit. The balustrade behind the seat then acts as a back rest. Balustrading and ' railings help to create a feeling of partial enclosure, and security to a deck, terrace or balcony. They form an integral part, of such landscape structures; Consequently . their design deserves your careful consideration so that you meet all aesthetic ahd functional requirements.