Balustrade Systems

About the system

A balustrade prevents falls at edges with a change in level and gives people something to hold on to; on a balcony or around a gallery, it also shapes the look of the facade or interior. In Ankara, Gündüz Alüminyum installs aluminium balustrades on residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

What does each location call for?

• Balconies and terraces: As they are exposed to rain, sun and frost, the material must resist corrosion and the finish must resist fading. Posts should be fixed without puncturing the waterproofing on the slab, or every drilled point must be well sealed; otherwise water can leak into the floor below.
• Stairs: The handrail on top of the balustrade should run continuously along the stair and have a section the hand can grip comfortably.
• Galleries and mezzanines: In buildings such as offices, shopping centres and factories, the balustrade is sized to carry the horizontal loads from people leaning on it and from crowds pushing against it.
• Pool edges: Because of moisture and chlorinated water, the material and finish are chosen for these conditions.

Details that determine safety

The safety of a balustrade depends as much on its fixings as on its profile section. Posts can be fixed to concrete, to a steel frame or to the slab edge, from the top or from the side; we decide which method suits at the survey, after checking the substrate and the edge construction. The height of the balustrade and the gaps between posts or infill bars are settled early in the design; in buildings used by children, horizontal members that make climbing easier are avoided.

Finish and colour options

An aluminium balustrade is light, does not rust and can be powder coated in the colour you want or anodised for a metallic look. This lets it match the colour of the thermally broken aluminium windows and doors on the balcony, giving a consistent facade. On busy stairs and in shared areas, sturdier sections are chosen to withstand knocks.

Maintenance and installation

An aluminium balustrade needs no maintenance such as repainting: wiping the surfaces now and then with water and a mild detergent, and avoiding abrasive cleaners, is enough. In chlorinated settings such as pool edges, more frequent cleaning is advisable. Checking the post fixings at regular intervals means a loose screw or anchor is spotted early. We prepare the balustrade components in our workshop to dimensions taken on site and install them with our own team; as with all our work, we give a 2-year installation warranty.