At the very basic level, the stairs are the medium that connects the lower floor to the upper floor. However, playing an important part in a house, they also influence the style of the house. Choosing a perfect balustrade will give you a chance to make your stairway look stunning. Before choosing a balustrade and handrail always remember safety should be your foremost concern. They must be strong and stable enough to provide support to people grabbing or leaning on them. Then you need to add style so that it matches the aesthetics of your home.
How shall you go about choosing a safe and attractive balustrade?
Choosing a balustrade can be overwhelming sometimes, but applying this easy trick can narrow down your options. First, identify the style of your home and take out a feature that shall help you to make a design decision. Like, whether you like an industrial finish look, or minimalist look, or a country style.
Your chosen decor will reflect your preference. Based on your home decor style you can easily eliminate the styles of balustrades that are not suitable. For instance, if you have a traditional kind of home, then a minimalist finish will not look good. Similarly, for a modern-designed home, a traditional marble baluster shall look odd. Pick one style feature and then select a balustrade that is synonymous with that style.
What kind of material should be used?
Modern and durable materials have surpassed the restricted choice of the former and are recommended over the timber finishes of the past. Budget always plays a significant role when it comes to the choice of materials, but for longevity and good value, one always considers aluminum powder coated handrails and the tough safety glass infills.
You can find them costlier but they won’t let you down as they prove to be worth the money. Not only will they last longer, but they don’t need regular touch or paint. Glass balustrades are modern solutions for balustrades that are popular for a clear finish that lets the sunlight peep in.
The glass panels are fixed with the help of the balustrade fitting of individual choices. The handrail fittings in NZ are also diverse. Customers now prefer frameless glass balustrades. Keeping in mind that safety is the primary concern for any handrail or balustrade, a slim top has been introduced so that it doesn’t interrupt the finished look. Round and square top rails are available, which are replicated with the handrail to blend in keeping the style intact.
New Zealand building code for stairs
New Zealand building rules and regulations along with balustrades and handrails relate to the height, pitch, and depth of the staircase. This rule is compulsory on all the stairs in NZ.
Heights- Minimum height of balustrade as per NZ regulation is 900mm
Handrails- Minimum height of handrails should be 900mm and can be extended up to 1000mm.
Matching with the interior style is important, but more than that, important is the safety of the balustrade.
