How to secure a terrace or a balcony?
Table of contents
Maintain a Minimum Height
First and foremost, it is essential to remember that a railing must have a mandatory minimum height to be truly considered effective fall protection.
This height is a minimum of 1 meter.
It can be reduced to only 80cm, provided the railing is more than 50cm thick. In other words, this applies to stone or concrete walls, for example, if they are very thick.
Otherwise, you need a compliant railing.
Install a Railing
A railing, also known as a balustrade or guardrail, is therefore a safety feature that is mandatory for terraces, balconies, and loggias, on all floors other than the ground floor.
Your railing must be suitable for outdoor use, meaning it can withstand temperature variations (frost in winter, high heat in summer), rain, UV rays, mold, insects, etc.
Choose Suitable Materials
Railing for terraces and balconies are most often made of 3 materials: aluminum, stainless steel, or wood. Or a mix of these materials.
Aluminum Railing
Aluminum is certainly the most popular material for creating railings that are both robust and very stylish.
This material indeed offers many advantages. It is very resistant to corrosion and does not rust, and it is easy to work with to create original and stylish shapes and patterns.
In addition, aluminum is smooth, which means it does not easily retain dust and dirt, and it is easy to maintain.
However, to be truly high quality, aluminum must have undergone a specific treatment to increase its resistance. It is therefore very important to choose the product with great care.
Stainless Steel Railing
Stainless steel is the other most frequently used material for the manufacture of railings, both indoors and outdoors.
Steel benefits from very high mechanical resistance, which is why it is so widely used in construction in general.
Properly treated, stainless steel resists corrosion, humidity, and UV rays well.
For this, the stainless steel must absolutely be of high quality, otherwise it will quickly rust.
Nevertheless, stainless steel will tend to degrade and rust in an iodized environment. If you live near the sea, the lifespan of your railing will be greatly reduced.
Wooden Railing
A wooden railing is very stylish and aesthetic, it brings a certain character to your house or apartment. Wood is very suitable for creating a natural and warm atmosphere.
Another very significant advantage of wood is that it can be easily worked to create a stunningly designed railing. You will then need to call on an experienced carpenter or cabinetmaker.
The type of wood must be chosen carefully, to resist climatic hazards and have the shade that best matches your home and garden.
The main disadvantage of wood compared to metal railings is its maintenance and lifespan. Given its nature, wood will get dirty and darken more easily. It is also susceptible to attack by mold and insects. It requires much more demanding maintenance.
All these solutions will allow you to create a beautiful railing to secure your terrace or balcony.
However, the disadvantage of all these materials is their price. Especially since 2021/2022, there has been a significant increase in the cost of raw materials.
The price of metals and wood has continued to climb.
This is why it may be interesting to look for alternative solutions.
Install a Railing Net
Made of synthetic textile fibers with woven or knotted meshes, the railing net provides real fall protection for terraces or balconies, and protects both adults and children.
Easy to Maintain
Our nets are easy to maintain.
Made of rot-proof textile fiber, it does not mold under the effect of rain or humidity.
You will only need to dust it and clean it with clear water, using a simple cloth.
Do not use household products or detergents.
Very Resistant to Climatic Hazards
The railing net is made from a catamaran net. This is therefore initially designed for intensive use at sea.
The net resists water very well, as well as an iodized environment.
UV-treated, it is not damaged by the sun's rays.
It is therefore a durable solution for your outdoor landscaping: it does not mold, does not rust, is not attacked by insects, and is not damaged by UV rays.
Customizable
All our nets are custom made to suit each individual project.
You can choose the mesh size (30 or 50 mm), opt for woven or knotted meshes, and especially create a personalized shape: rectangle, rounded, triangle... the net adapts to your desires.
Economical
The price of aluminum or stainless steel railings easily exceeds €100 or €150 per meter.
The price of our railing nets starts from €40/m2, which makes it a very interesting alternative economically, while having a railing with a pleasant and original style.
