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When building a residential or commercial building, aesthetics matter. From the building’s structure, to colours, layout, every component adds to its safety and aesthetics. As a business, architect, designer or similar, conceptualising a modern steel railing design for balcony or gates is critical for ensuring building elegance and functionality. You have to think of safety and security, convenience and cost, and contemporariness and longevity. In brief, your modern steel railing design has to offer safety, durability, cost-efficiency, and also be low-maintenance and aesthetically pleasing.
Steel, especially stainless steel has long been a popular choice for designing railings for gates and balconies and other outdoor fixtures. It’s sturdy, sleek, affordable, and long-lasting. Of course, other options like general steel, steel pipes and even glass are often used. Here, we’ll take a look at how steel is used for modern steel gate designs and for balconies and balustrades.
Modern steel railing design for balconies and gates – Why steel is the best choice?
In contemporary architecture, the choice of raw materials used in buildings speaks not only of external elegance but also of sustainability, durability, economics, and practicality. Steel and stainless steel, naturally emerge as frontrunners for modern balcony and gate designs.
Let’s understand what makes steel stand out, the different types of steel that suits designing balconies and gates, and some exemplary examples and trends in modern steel railing design across the country.
The unmatched properties of steel
The mechanical properties of steel is what makes steel durable, malleable, corrosion and rust resistant, tough, hard, and strong (tensile strength). This is also what makes steel a suitable material for building railings and similar structures.
- Hight tensile strength: Makes steel suitable for providing safety, durability, and withstanding pressure and load
- Corrosion resistance: Gives steel properties to withstand humid conditions and keep gates and railing rust and corrosion free (Also read: Steel corrosion causes and prevention)
- Toughness and hardness: Keeps steel safe and unbreakable during bending, allowing the metal to maintain its integrity and easy to shape
- Weldability: Allows steel to easily be joined without affecting its intrinsic properties
There are several other properties that makes the metal suitable for modern steel gate designs without succumbing to the wear and tear of environmental and physical conditions.
Which steel is best for balcony?
Now that you understand why steel is a preferred metal for modern handrail design ideas in India, the next question would be – Which steel is best for balconies and gates?
1. Stainless steel
When it comes to selecting the right type of steel for making balconies, gates and other outdoor fittings, stainless steel is the most preferred choice.
Stainless steel’s composition, especially the alloy components of chromium, nickel and iron, gives the metal a sheen lustre and resistance to stain and rust. This makes stainless steel low on maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, and also recyclable. This versatility is also why stainless steel is preferred for roofing sheets as it can withstand severe weather conditions.
Moreover, the metal is easy to work with and be molded into different forms and shapes required for modern steel railing design. Based on the requirements, it can be shaped into minimalist or intricate patterns.
Stainless steel rust:
It’s important to keep in mind that though stainless steel is corrosion and rust resistant, it will get impacted in certain conditions.
For instance, long exposure to grease, moisture, heat, humidity, moisture or similar weather conditions can deplete the chromium content in steel and eventually lead to rusting.
When conceptualising steel railing design for balcony, gates and more, homeowners should also learn about simple stainless steel rust removal techniques to keep the railings shinny and clean.
2. Corten steel
Another steel type, that’s used for making captivating balcony railing steel designs is corten steel. Corten steel comes with a distinct rustic appearance. Also known as weathering steel it brings warm and a symphony of durability and aesthetics.
A external oxidised layer or ‘platina’ is formed once the steel matures. As is gets exposed to natural elements, the colours changes gradually. This protective layer gives the steel greater strength and adds to its longevity. This naturally makes corten steel suitable for use in steel railing modern grill design for balcony, especially in the Indian context.
Corten steel in balcony steel railing design for homes and offices:
Is corten steel the right choice for designing railing for gates and balconies in India? Let’s consider these examples.
In a city like Jaipur, Rajasthan for instance, corten steel can be used to make balcony railings to showcase the city’s rich and stunning heritage. The natural brown-orange colour of the steel, formed by the platina, complements the pink sandstones, without overshadowing. The properties of corten steel allows it to be designed into multiple patterns, that blend contemporary style and traditional elements.
In a city like Bengaluru, Karnataka, often regarded as the IT hub of India, filled with high-rises and tech-parks, corten steel railings can add a rustic, vintage charm to modern architecture. It’s robust and low on maintenance, making it a practical choice for a city known to witness dynamic weather fluctuations, throughout the day.
Modern steel railing design for balcony India: Inspiration and design ideas
The availability and access to steel has facilitated the evolution of balcony railing designs in India. Modern designs, using steel and other materials, lean towards creating a sense of openness and fluidity. Glass is often used alongside steel frames to offer safety, elegance and the flexibility of unobstructed view.
1. Designs using horizontal or vertical steel bars
When it comes to contemporary ideas for steel railing design for balcony, one trend that’s been popular is the use of steel bars.
Vertical or horizontal steel bars are used to design balconies, especially in urban locations, where the emphasis is on maximising space and external view. The sleekness of stainless steel railings when aligned offers balance, sturdiness, and safety.
It can also be deformed into suitable shapes with intricate patterns to bring uniqueness. Steel round bars are often used for such steel railing balcony new design ideas.
2. Custom laser cut panels
Another trending latest steel railing design for balcony and gates is the use of laser cut panels in stainless steel. These can be customised, based on individual style and creative ideas, opening up a myriad of possibilities.
Laser cut steel decorative panels have several of benefits:
- It’s functional, tailor made, and speaks artistry
- It provides versatility and can be used to incorporate intricate and complex patterns or motifs based on individual tastes and preferences
- It offers smooth edges and a clean cut, design precisions, and minimum time to make
Stainless steel grade 304 is a popular choice for modern steel railing design for balcony and balustrade and other decorative applications. (Also read: Stainless steel 304 vs 316)
3. Steel cables in balcony railing steel design
Another innovative and simple steel railing design for balcony is the use of steel cables. It provides a sleek, almost invisible look, that’s suitable for urban settings that aim for the uncluttered look.
These can be made using steel wires, and can be used in apartment balconies, for adding extra safety (against insects) and in high-rises.
In most cases, stainless steel rope wire with wooden handrails are used to blend aesthetics, strength and design elements. At times, low carbon wires are also used (instead of stainless steel), that come with durability, strength, flexibility and are more economical than stainless steel.
4. Balcony railing designs using glass and steel
Modern balcony designing also incorporates the use of different materials for practicality and cost. Glass, especially tinted and frosted glass, along with steel is often used in balcony railing.
While steel gives the railings sturdiness, durability and strength, frosted glass adds to its elegance. The nature of glass used also determines the level of transparency (or privacy) the structure allows.
In general, steel is the chosen material for executing modern handrail design ideas, with glass panels being used in the body of the balcony.
Which railing is better iron or steel?
In a country like India, it is natural for all homeowners, architects and builders to consider different metals and options before finalising on one. There’s always a debate on iron vs steel, which railing is best for balcony?
Let’s consider some key differences between iron and steel for balcony railings and gates:
| Parameters/features | Iron balcony railings | Steel balcony railings |
| Durability | Less durable as iron is more prone to rusting | More durable, and resistant to rust and corrosion (Also read: Tips to reduce steel corrosion) |
| Strength | Very strong but can get brittle in time | Stronger, with high tensile strength, toughness and hardness, making it more suitable for balcony railing structures |
| Aesthetics | Classic, traditional look, in its original form; rusted iron gives a more vintage look | Sleek look and finish, and more suitable for contemporary designs |
| Maintenance | High and regular maintenance required to keep iron rust-free | Minimal maintenance required as steel is less corrosive |
| Cost | Less expensive but there is maintenance cost involved adding to its overall cost | More costly, but its low on maintenance and hence can be a one time investment |
As can be seen, steel, with its capacity to bear environmental conditions and diverse properties is a more suitable option when considering steel railing design for balcony or gates.
Buying steel for balcony railings
As India continues to add elements of modern and traditional designs into architecture, steel as a building material offers multiple opportunities for innovation and creativity.
Stainless steel and corten steel, along with other building materials, provides a versatile and durable solution for balcony railings and outdoor gate designs.
Sohini is a seasoned content writer with 12 years’ experience in developing marketing and business content across multiple formats. At Tata nexarc, she leverages her skills in crafting curated content on the Indian MSME sector, steel procurement, and logistics. In her personal time, she enjoys reading fiction and being up-to-date on trends in digital marketing and the Indian business ecosystem.
Steel indeed has many properties that make it the choice for a majority of construction applications. But in the age where composite materials are being created in an eco-friendlier manner, which of these two would be better in the long run, from both structural and environmental perspective?
Steel is strong, but composite materials are greener and lighter. Steel is good for heavy-duty projects, but composites might be better if being eco-friendly is important to you. so choose accordingly
Okay, so even good stainless steel can rust if you don’t put it in right or take care of it. What can companies do to help customers after they buy railings, so they last a long time and work well?
Stainless steel railings can rust, but companies can help by providing clear installation and care instructions, maybe even a cleaning kit. Offering warranties and repair help also reassures customers. Hope this clears your doubt