A baluster is currently defined as any vertical and decorative brace or post located between a lower and upper horizontal railing. The purpose is to provide safety and support along with beauty. Porches and staircases have a set of balusters called balustrades. A balustrade is a row of balusters that are repeated, similar to a colonnade, and can be created in a variety of styles and materials.
History of Balustrades
The invention of the baluster is thought to be out of Renaissance culture and architecture. Today’s WA balustrading can be constructed out of glass, concrete, stone, wood, cast iron, and other metals, plastics, and plasters. Balusters can be turned or rectangular and may include a variety of decorative cutouts. Balusters are popular architectural details found in both the inside and outside of public buildings, mansions, and homes.
Historically-styled exterior balustrades are much more susceptible to deterioration and decay than interior balustrades. Proper manufacturing, design, installation, and regular maintenance are keys to their preservation.
Because of this, balustrade architecture has leaned towards the production of popular glass and steel pieces today. Balustrades now come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials; the quality of construction along with the thickness will affect their integrity and life expectancy.
Balustrades Today: Glass Balusters
Balustrades are not only a piece of history but a popular design implementation in homes today. The balustrade has been transformed and modernised to fit the 21st century. Homeowners today often enjoy balustrades in the form of glass, although traditional forms are still popular.
Today, balustrades have taken a more modern turn. Glass is now used in a variety of scenarios. From staircase conversions and pool fencing to shower screens, and even balcony screens, glass balustrades provide an appeal that is not only attractive but protective as well. Glass balustrades ideally blend in with their surroundings, making them a perfect architectural complement for contemporary settings and focal points.
These glass panels are usually well suited for homes that have a modern design and architecture. Glass balustrades add needed handrails while preserving openness and light in your home. This contemporary look can be enhanced in a number of ways to fit your personal style and home architecture.
Glass balustrades and glass screening are things that you encounter on a day-to-day basis. Now that the modern home is incorporating more glass, this versatile and attractive material is finding its place among home improvements all over Australia today.
If you’ve been thinking about incorporating glass balustrades into your home’s architecture, don’t wait! More family-friendly balustrades have come on the market today and you can even buy balustrades that you can set up easily on your own in your own home. This makes it an elegant and simple way to enhance your home without the inconvenience or cost of a major home renovation project.