What does balustrade mean in architecture?

Found lining many staircases and terraces, a balustrade is a row of small columns topped by a rail. The term is derived from the form’s constituent posts, called balusters, a name coined in 17th-century Italy for the bulbous item’s resemblance to blossoming pomegranate flowers (balaustra in Italian).

What does a balustrade do?

A balustrade is necessary in any situation where one or both sides of a staircase are open, creating the risk of a fall and making it difficult to set a handrail. A balustrade acts to create a barrier to falling, and supports the handrail, making the staircase safe for use.

What is the difference between baluster and balustrade?

The term baluster is interchangeable with the word spindle. A balustrade is comprised of an assembled top rail, balusters or spindles and often a bottom rail, posts, post caps, and decorative finials. It is a composite made up of individual parts, such as the balusters and a railing/handrail.

What is a balustrade on a staircase?

The balustrade is the railing and baluster that prevents you from falling over the edge. It’s also the collective name for the complete assembly of handrails, including spindles and newel posts. Handrail: This is the part of the staircase we use for support when going up and down the stairway.

What is the top of a balustrade called?

Balustrade

• Spindles—the vertical supports that sit between a handrail and base rail. Also known as a balustrade.
• Base rail—sits on top of the string or along a landing.
• Handrail—a rail that sits on top of the baluster/spindles.
• Newel post—the vertical post that supports the handrail at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Is a balustrade and handrail?

A balustrade is a railing (handrail) and the row of balusters (posts) that support it. And yes, it is spelt “balustrade”, although it is commonly misspelt as ballustrad, ballustrade or balluster. A balustrade can also be known as railing, rail, banister, handrail and parapet.

Who invented the balustrade?

The baluster design used for architectural ornamentation is widely considered to have begun by Renaissance architects. One of the favorite architects of the wealthy patron Lorenzo de’ Medici was Giuliano da Sangallo (1443-1516).

Do you have to have a balustrade?

Building regulations require that when there are flights of stairs, landings or raised areas in a single-family dwelling, there must be a balustrade if the difference between the adjacent levels is more than 600mm. Light wells may also need a balustrade or any area next to a building where people have access to it.

What’s the difference between a balustrade and a bannister?

A “balustrade” is a sequence of balusters that support a handrail. A “banister” (also spelled with two “n”s) is another name for a staircase baluster, but many architects and interior designers prefer to use the word “banister” to refer to a narrower, more modern support.

What is the maximum gap between balusters?

4-inch
U.S. building codes mandate that balusters have no more than a 4-inch gap between them. This relatively tight amount of spacing still allows for visibility between spindles, but also stands as a safety measure to prevent small children from becoming stuck between spindles or from slipping through the balusters.

Do stairs need balustrade?

A balustrade is required to any staircase, balcony, ramp, hallway, veranda, mezzanine or bridge were the potential to fall from the above mentioned area is 1000mm or greater to the surface below. The height of the balustrade on the pitch of the staircase must be not less than 865mm form the nosing line.

Is balustrade a railing?

You might not know what exactly are balustrades, but you have come across them more often than you think. Commonly found in stairs, balconies or terraces, a balustrade is a railing supported by a row of small columns called balusters.

What’s the difference between a baluster and a balustrade?

In other words, a baluster is a single post, balusters are several of those posts, and a balustrade is all of those posts joined together as a unit. A balustrade is a name for that railing on a balcony, porch or terrace.

What does the name balustrade mean?

Definition of balustrade 1 : a row of balusters topped by a rail 2 : a low parapet or barrier

How do you spell balustrade?

The Correct spelling is: balustrade. Common misspellings of the word balustrade are: balustrade in french. balustrade in spanish. balustrade in german.

What is the plural of balustrade?

balustrade (plural balustrades) A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.