General News

Have you ever thought about what’s behind you?

Maybe you’re thinking about memories and long-lost dreams. But why don’t we start with what’s right behind you in that traditional Christmas family photo; ever thought about it? Every family or friend-filled photo or staff snap at this time of year tends to be in front of a colourful sunset or, better yet, a crystal clear pool. But sneaking into those pics is inevitably a balustrade or pool enclosure. Ever considered that?

We really hope that yours is a Steel Studio masterpiece! It fills us with Christmas cheer to think that we could be playing a small part in your festive joy. And, of course, safety. So, thanks for choosing Steel Studio!

Time to redesign your balustrade or staircase?

If what’s behind you is unsightly and unsafe, maybe it’s time to re-think and re-imagine what could be behind you in the new year. Whether it’s an office building or brand new home, balustrades, staircases, and pool enclosures are critically important. They keep visitors and family safe. And, let’s be honest, the last thing you want to be worrying about during the holidays is the compliance of a balustrade’s installation when you’re a few levels up. So, when it comes to pool enclosures, you need to know it’s safe if your kids are playing happily in the garden while you roast that turkey. For us, as it is for you, we are uncompromising when it comes to compliance and safety.

And once safety is set in stone, we cannot ignore the fact that what we wrap our buildings and pools in needs to be beautiful – because beautiful things reset and rejuvenate us. Our team have spent decades designing, manufacturing, and installing only the most picturesque staircases, balustrades, and pool enclosures. So, you can trust our team to bring life to your dream.

Looking back: Projects worth toasting to

Ok, so now that we’ve looked behind us, let’s have a look at the memory bank! Because closing another year makes us feel nostalgic and reflective. Maybe you’re eager to get a jump on the new, fresh year ahead, but, as 2021 wanes, why not take a moment to reflect and enjoy your memories created and lessons learned this year?

We’re looking back at some monumental installations at commercial buildings where we’re proud to have our name stamped in stainless steel on every level. We are equally chuffed to have our powder coated perfection sitting pretty in some magical homes across the country. Wherever our team has been, we’ve left balustrades and staircases, pool enclosures and more to keep friends, families, and customers safe and secure. We’ve opened up panoramic views of sunsets to be enjoyed at parties and Christmas dinners. And we’ve left an indelible mark on our economy, employing hard-working people, and building this nation through honest business. Though this year has had its challenges, it is still worth celebrating! Thanks for joining us on the journey.

So, what are you looking back on this year? Perhaps it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; there may be some heartache in the shadows. But, whatever it is, we hope that this season of joy amongst friends and family under the bright African sun will give you hope and renewed vigour for 2022. May you be propelled into exciting adventures in the new year. And may we all find a way to pick ourselves up after an arduous year, leaning on one another’s strength to rebuild our nation!

The world has changed. So, it’s important that we take the time to really appreciate the drastic shift in what we used to know as normal. And while the “new normal” might be slow on the uptake, one thing that has held true through all the upheaval we’ve encountered recently is that the trends keep on coming; people haven’t settled for the same-old styles. Fashion trends continue to shift and grow, ebb and flow, from nineties looks and back to ultra-modern, chic looks we can’t quite wrap our heads around. And the home design world is no different. The trends and aspirations keep marching forward.

We know following the trends can get a little tricky. One minute it’s bold and bright, the next it’s neutral and natural. Which way do you go when you’re trying to design and build a home or office that stands the test of trendy-time? Our answer is simple: choose the classic pieces that seamlessly slot into every trend and stand out among the ins and outs of fashion.

Here’s our take on two of the trends we’re seeing at the moment:

1. Minimalism

In the world of minimalist fashion trends, ultra clean lines, monochromatic bias, and dainty jewellery will always tip the trend scales. And, when it comes to your staircase or balustrade, these trends hold true, too! The monochromatic feel of brushed stainless steel paired with perfect glass, clean lines, and our square spigots will finish off this look like an understated piece of fine jewellery.

And, while we’re talking minimalism, we know that since we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home, the annual spring clean may have been boosted to become a bi-monthly occurrence! If your closet has been purged of all the corporate attire and overstretched waistbands, don’t fret; the trends are looking up for comfort and kind waistbands in the future. But, since your purge may not have stopped at your clothes, you may be knee deep in the stairwell closet sorting through board games and appliance boxes, too. So, we just have one question: have you considered a facelift for the staircase itself?

Sometimes all that’s needed is a snazzy new balustrade and a lick of the latest bold-as-neutral paint to reinvent this pivotal space in your home. You don’t have to knock the whole thing out, just bring in the experts and banish that clunky, oversized balustrade. Welcome the aesthetic of stainless or mild steel and glass with open arms as you enjoy more space in your closets for that new air fryer box you’ve just acquired.

2. Biophilia (our intrinsic affinity to nature)

In a post-pandemic world, and that of the construction industry, there’s a major push to bring more of the outdoors inside; plants, open views, and fresh air. We love this trend and bank on it staying for many years to come – who doesn’t love the satisfaction of keeping that tricky house plant alive and revelling in your gardening joy? With our elegant glass balustrades, you can keep the inside looking outside without any obstructions. Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, let Steel Studio’s pool enclosures or balustrades for staircases keep a wide-open flow between inside and outside, without compromising on safety.

And, while we’re bringing the outdoors inside, why not take inspiration for your dream home from nature itself? If the trends for home design are anything to go by, soft lines and natural textures are taking precedence. As you design your home, office, or renovation project be sure to look to nature and bring in the light and views with brushed steel balustrades, or the always-classic glass in channel option. You can be sure that stainless steel will withstand all that nature can offer, giving you a robust yet timeless look that pairs with glass or timber, tile or brick. Whatever the natural finish you’re after, Steel Studio’s versatility will match the unrivalled inspiration of the great outdoors!

3. Chic and safe

No matter the trends that flow or the bends you have towards one style or the other, you can never compromise on safety and reliability. So, while Steel Studio’s range of balustrades, pool enclosures, and staircases may follow the trends, our safety standards never go out of fashion. We’ve dedicated ourselves to using only the finest products and ensuring SANS-Compliant manufacturing and installation of every single project, whether it’s sky-high or ground-level. We’re committed to creating that perfect trend-setting masterpiece while keeping to every safety standard.

So, as Spring arrives, you may be dreaming (and building) again, and we’d love to be a part of your finished product by starting at the very beginning – designing and creating. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can bring the latest trends to life in your dream space.

So, you’ve spent hours detailing the intricate elements of your home. Then there’s that office building project you’re constantly refining; we’re sure there have been countless meetings to discuss every last inch of the building.

But have you thought about the balustrades?

Balustrades are the unsung hero of the home, in terms of both safety and aesthetics, applying that finishing touch to a spectacular project. And they may as well be the talking point of your office, rather than just a functional barrier. After all, balustrades are so much more than railings; they can be features that enhance vistas and magnify the horizon, or stunning safety features that double as works of art to impress your guests.

At Steel Studio, we say ‘yes’ to exciting, beautiful, and elegant balustrades. And we shun the idea that a balustrade should be seen as boring or simply practical. Our team has decades of experience designing stunning balustrades that meet every safety standard on the market, while enhancing the home’s features. Every one of our components used in our balustrades is SANS Compliant. Our commitment is to practical and superb, functional and fabulous balustrades that endure the test of time to remain modern and breath-taking.

So, if you’re thinking about your next balustrade, why not draw some inspiration from our most recent projects?
They may just be the catalyst of creativity to design your own custom balustrade

Frameless Glass Balustrades

There’s no need to crowd out your beautiful view with a clunky balustrade. Instead, go for our signature frameless balustrades, designed by our master structural engineers to ensure uncompromising safety. These balustrades offer panoramic views with class and elegance, and our 12mm toughened glass, recessed in a powder coated channel will create the vista of a lifetime.

Stainless Steel and Glass Balustrades

These balustrades are effortlessly chic and guarantee an aesthetic that suits every home. The neat finish of the safety glass paired with the solid, steady look of the stainless steel fittings come together to offer a unique feature in your home. You can even customise your balustrade, choosing from our round, square and concave or offset handrail options. As always, our balustrades are SANS Compliant, ensuring your family’s safety on every level.

Powder Coated Balustrades

The distinctive feature of powder-coated fittings alongside timeless glass never ceases to impress even the most discerning guest. Choose powder coated fittings to stay on trend and ensure your balustrade frames your staircase with timeless style.

Steel Posts with Black Glass

This staircase is truly on display. Wrapped in ever-elegant black glass and stainless steel posts, it stands out to regale visitors with sublime sophistication!

 

When installing a balustrade, there are many features, facets and standards to consider; that’s why Steel Studio comes to you for a site inspection and free quotation. Our team works tirelessly to ensure the highest quality in every single component. Furthermore, our installation team is trained to ensure the perfect fit in your new home or office. We urge you not to cut corners when designing and installing your balustrade. That’s why our sales, project and installation teams with decades of experience will assist and offer our signature stamp of approval for total peace of mind, trusted by large and small clients across South Africa.

No matter what trend you’re chasing or safety concerns you have, we believe that your balustrade should never be boring!

Keep your eye on our social media pages and gallery images to draw more inspiration and design ideas for your balustrades, staircases, and pool enclosures. And, if you have a sketch on paper or in your mind’s eye, we’d love to bring it to life.

Get in touch with us today and make that dream a reality.

After such a distinctly heavy year that we’re all tired of speaking and hearing about, it’s only right that we focus on the refreshing new start that this year brings.

And what better way to look at the year ahead by embracing and getting excited about upcoming projects? Whether it’s for commercial or residential use, we hope to inspire you with designs that will allow you to occupy the working or living space of your dreams. Here are a few teasers of our current projects to look forward to!

We can empathise with those who have had to cancel year-end travel plans, but when one considers that the South African festive season is essentially a sun-soaked dream, we really don’t have that much to gripe about. Plus, if you have access to a pool, some good music, and even better some ice cold beverages, a Staycation can easily eclipse most Mediterranean jaunts (at a fraction of the cost, we might add).

But with your Summer plans sorted, put those dreams of lazy pool days on pause for a second. We need to talk about pool safety.

Deloittes (commercial)

This project encompasses glass in channel with an offset handrail, ideal for a bespoke commercial space that fits your desired design.

The Median (commercial)

With The Median comes a custom fabricated balustrade design, with galvanized sheets and square top rails. Also ideal for high-end commercial spaces.

Leonardo (commercial)

This current project offers a gym spiral stair, which is a custom mild steel plate balustrade with offset stainless-steel handrails, as well as a wine cellar stair with, faceted side-fixed internal glass panels with offset handrail, and spiral rolled outer glass in channel.

Waterfall Estate (residential)

If a top rail is something you prefer not to have, this simple side-fixed glass might be the perfect place for you to start!

Riverclub (residential)

This residential project displays glass in a top mounted white powder-coated aluminium channel with a square concave top rail.

With all these exciting projects, we hope you’re as excited as we are about all the design possibilities yet to be revealed! In the meantime, feel free to browse through our website to see the range of services that we provide for big or small projects. As a fully SANS-compliant company, we are tested and approved by professional structural engineers, ensuring our systems are designed with your utmost safety in mind! In addition to your safety, we strive to prioritise your specific tastes and preferences in every bespoke project we roll out, which is why we’re very flexible in offering custom designs. So, whether you’re a new homeowner or simply looking to elevate your current home, we’ve got you covered with anything from balustrades and staircases to pool enclosures, plus, we’ll always include a free consultation to ensure we’re aligned with your vision before any work begins!

During the process of getting the work done, you don’t have to worry about material deliveries that take forever to arrive, because very little of the materials we use are outsourced; we utilse in-house manufacturing, allowing for quicker lead times to ensure that your vision comes to life – on time! Not only will our materials get to you in time, but they themselves are timeless – aesthetically and environmentally. Our stainless steel is recyclable, and we follow strict environmental guidelines to ensure we are constantly seeking new ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

If there’s one thing we can all learn from the tumult that was 2020, it’s that time is indeed not promised. Time to live as well as time to do. There is no time like the present, so plan and fulfil all those crazy ideas you have and boldly live your best life! Whether that means finally renovating your working space or installing a pool enclosure for the kids’ safety, go for it!

If we can assist in making those big ideas come to life; be it by designing your dream home or installing custom, aesthetically-pleasing designs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here or visit our website to view other outstanding projects that we’ve completed, here.

So, we’ve nearly made it to the end of 2020.

Unsurprisingly, our entire nation seems to be indulging in a long, languid sigh of relief at the end of this tumultuous year, as we prepare for what we can only hope is a safe, socially-distanced South African Summer. But with our lockdown still in effect, many of us will be keeping it relatively low-key this festive season, and Staycations are set to be the order of the day.

Pool Safety in South Africa

We can empathise with those who have had to cancel year-end travel plans, but when one considers that the South African festive season is essentially a sun-soaked dream, we really don’t have that much to gripe about. Plus, if you have access to a pool, some good music, and even better some ice cold beverages, a Staycation can easily eclipse most Mediterranean jaunts (at a fraction of the cost, we might add).

But with your Summer plans sorted, put those dreams of lazy pool days on pause for a second. We need to talk about pool safety.

1. Children under 5 make up 75% of all drownings in SA

According to Netcare 911; young children are the most vulnerable around pools. And recent news reports seem to back this up, with three toddlers drowning in a public pool in Limpopo earlier this year, and a three-year-old drowning in a Joburg pool as recently as October. When one considers that young children tend to be poor swimmers, and that it can take just 20 seconds for someone to drown, it’s not surprising that we see this terrible trend. Adult supervision is essential, and it can prevent these tragic accidents, but when looking away for just a minute can be the difference between life and death, is that good enough?

2. African regions account for 20% of global drowning

This may not seem like a significant percentage, but, coupled with a drowning mortality rate of 13.1 per 100 000 population, it’s a cause for concern. And with our sweltering African climates leading to regular participation in water-based activities, despite a distinct lack of pool and swimming training available for young children, and sorely lacking adult supervision, it’s a recipe for disaster. Even with adult supervision and safety measures in place, the risk of drowning is ever-present when children are around water. Who can forget the tragic case of Enoch Mpianzi, the 13-year-old Parktown Boys High pupil who drowned on a school orientation camp, under the supposed watchful eye of camp counsellors and teachers?

3. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of death in SA

In a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world, untenably high road accident deaths, and numerous other risk factors that make SA a pretty dangerous place to live, comparatively speaking, drowning still manages to take that infamous fifth spot. While many of these deaths can be attributed to bodies of water other than swimming pools, the fact is, a pool in a home with young children or pets is an undeniable risk factor, and if it’s not fenced off or securely covered, you’re tempting fate!

Does this mean I should drain my pool and play in the sprinklers for the sake of safety?

Nope. Fortunately for you water babies out there, supplementing your pool safety standards and enjoying peace of mind this Summer is relatively simple.

They say the best cure is prevention, and this holds true for a pool. After all, if your little ones (human or fur variety) can’t gain unsupervised access to your pool, the chances of drowning are dramatically reduced, if not eliminated entirely. Obviously, you don’t want to skimp on safety for the sake of style and aesthetic considerations, so you’ll want a solution that isn’t unsightly and suits your space, right?

With Steel Studio’s custom-designed, manufactured, and installed pool enclosures and balustrades, protecting your pool doesn’t mean sacrificing your style. Following contemporary and functional design principles, with the highest safety standards in mind, Steel Studio has been building and installing world-class pool enclosure systems, including self-closing gates, for decades, and our reputation is unmatched.

We cater to all design considerations and layouts, utilising a range of stainless steel, glass, and even gorgeous frameless designs. Plus, we’re committed to our principles of sustainable business practices, using recyclable stainless steel and implementing numerous measures to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible.

So, if you’re looking for peace of mind as stainless as our steel this Summer, chat to us about a custom pool enclosure solution that defies your expectations: https://www.steelstudio.co.za/contact/.

Toughened laminated glass in balustrades adds another dimension to safety in high risk areas such as shopping centres or multi-level structures. The additional cost is minimal and usually works out to approximately 7.5 extra on the total project price, depending on the design. Standard toughened safety glass (which is all that is required by law), has the unfortunate characteristic of what is called, euphemistically, “spontaneous failure”. There is always something that could cause glass to fail, however it is often difficult, if not impossible, to find a cause. The pieces have usually been swept up and thrown away, or the critical part of the glass is scattered across a few floors of the office block or shopping centre. The toughened laminate in Tygervalley shopping centre failed due to a nickel sulphide inclusion, identified at the source of the failure as a small blob in the centre of the crack, in the centre of the picture below.

If a laminated and toughened glass breaks, it maintains a visible barrier in the balustrade as it does not crumble to the floor in a million pieces. It may not be as strong as before, but it buys time for a replacement. It will almost certainly be strong enough to keep small children safe and to allow temporary measures to make the area properly safe. The glass can also then be examined to find out why it broke – this can then be used for remedial measures or for future designs. Of course a toughened laminate will only remain in position if the fixing method will keep the glass in place – a completely frameless balustrade without a handrail type design, will still fall down unless very special interlayers are used. These can be as strong as polycarbonate or stiff interlayers such as Sentry Glas Plus by DuPont – used for the iconic staircases in Apple iStores worldwide. Toughened laminated glass is the ideal way to add security to your balustrade system, without compromising on design.

Buying your frameless glass balustrade system from a professional ensures a product that suits your interior, but most importantly is safe for it’s intended use.

A question so many homeowners ask is, where can I buy a frameless glass balustrade system? Even though Louis makes light of the subject in the above Feedback Friday video. The answer needs more attention than most of you think. It’s a fact, you probably can buy a frameless glass balustrade from your local shower guy, your tiling supplier and chances are, you could probably even get your gardener to source and supply a frameless glass balustrade. But, knowing that your frameless glass balustrade is a structural element and a specialised trade, the design, manufacture and installation needs to be according to the SANS regulations. This is why it’s not recommended to buy any balustrade from just anywhere.

• A frameless glass balustrade is a structural element and needs to be treated as such.

  A frameless glass balustrade as a whole is a structural element in a home or building and must be treated as such. The purpose of any balustrade is to prevent the occupants from falling from dangerous heights and incurring severe injuries.

• A frameless glass balustrade can only be designed and signed off by a professional structural engineer.

  A balustrade needs to be designed in consultation with a registered professional structural engineer. On completion of your job, you must insist on your Form 3 engineer sign off, which is confirmation that your balustrade is safe for it’s intended use and that it will perform as it should in the event of an accidental impact.

• Steel Studio will come to you.

  In addition to supplying you with a safe and elegant frameless glass balustrade, Steel Studio will come to you at a time that is convenient for you, for a site inspection and obligation free quotation. We will design a balustrade system that suits your interior design, and even more importantly, we make sure that your balustrade is safe. We also have a showroom based at our manufacturing facility in Sandton, Johannesburg, which you are welcome to visit at your convenience to view our extensive range of frameless glass balustrade options.

• Steel Studio supplies frameless glass balustrades to other areas in South Africa.

  Also, Steel Studio supplies frameless glass balustrades to clients in and around Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein and many other areas in South Africa.

Call us now on +27 (0) 11 608 1963 to speak to one of our qualified sales executives about your frameless glass balustrade and if we are able to supply and install in your area.

PS: Insist on your Form 3, engineer sign off on completion of your job. This ensures the safety of the occupants that are using your building.

It’s no secret. Most South Africans are unaware of any pool fence regulations. Statistics provided by the Department of Water and Sanitation show that more than one child drowns in our country every day. This tells us that drowning is still a serious, unsolved problem in SA.

So often, in South Africa, a by-law or regulation may be in place but has not been successfully communicated. A person sometimes only finds out that there is a regulation in place after an event like an accident, and for the purposes of this conversation, a drowning which could have been prevented if the by-laws were strictly enforced.

In the case of legislated pool fence regulations in our country, very few pool owners know about these laws and don’t put the necessary protection in place, causing potential risk to their families and the public.

If you have a swimming pool and inquisitive toddlers that are not yet swimming on their own, then you should ensure that you are aware of the pool fencing laws and prevent your children from getting into the pool area.

So, what is the pool fencing laws that you should know about?

This video answers two of the many questions homeowners often have around pool fence regulations:

How high does a pool fence have to be?

If your pool is accessible from the street or to the public, the height of your pool fence needs to be 1,2m high. If however, your property is enclosed with a wall or fence of 1,2m or higher, and your gate to the road access is locked, then the height of your pool fence can be 1m. The law states that in this instance you are not necessarily required to have a pool fence then, but if you have toddlers that you need to protect from the pool area, then a pool fence needs to be a serious consideration on your property.

What is the safest pool fence?

The safest pool fence has a self-closing gate that is also self-latching, meaning that, upon opening, the pool fence gate must close by itself and lock to prevent any mobile toddlers from getting into the pool area. In most situations, you should also only be able to open the pool gate from the inside when standing outside by having to reach over the fence to open the gate. This is another prevention method for small children not to be able to open the pool gate by themselves easily. It is not advisable to have

horizontal rail balustrades as a pool fence. The rails create a ladder for curious toddlers who like to climb. The alternative is to go with a glass pool fence like the one below; ensuring that a professional has engineered and installed the fence with the correct materials and installation methods.

Here are more pool fence regulation questions that homeowners have:

Who can install a pool fence?

A qualified and professional pool fence supplier that has engineered designed and safety tested a pool fence should be your first option for your new pool fence. DIY systems are not necessarily developed in consultation with an engineer and may not guarantee your toddlers safety. Ensure that the locks and latches are guaranteed to self-close and self-latch for the duration of their lifespan. There are many cheap knock-offs around that don’t work. If you’re installing a glass pool fence, ensure that the glass thickness is approved by an engineer and that the stainless steel hinges and locks are solid cast stainless steel and not plated, otherwise they will not last and will corrode due to exposure to the chlorinated or salt water in the pool area.

Can a glass pool fence break?

Depending on the object that hits the glass pool fence, yes, it is possible. If a sharp object hits the glass panel, it will undoubtedly break, e.g. if your garden service uses a weed eater too close to the glass pool fence and a stone shoots up and hits the glass, it could break. It is essential to ensure that your supplier installs a toughened safety glass and not just standard float glass. If a glass panel breaks, the toughened safety glass will break into a million little pieces which shouldn’t hurt a person in contact with the glass panel. However, if your installer has supplied a standard float glass, you stand the risk of the glass breaking into large, sharp shards that can seriously injure someone. That said, your glass pool fence, that acts as a balustrade and a safety element, must be impact and load tested to prevent you or your children from falling through the glass upon impact.

Report a pool without a fence and save a life.

If you know of a pool or any open council water that is exposed to the public and does not have a safety fence around, report it to your local council. This way you can ensure that unnecessary accidents and drowning’s don’t occur.

For more on pool fence regulations and ideas visit our webpage https://www.steelstudio.co.za/pool-enclosures/ or call us today on 011-608-1963 to speak to one of our qualified sales executives.

If you have children, you’ll know that it is inevitable that they will climb and explore almost anything in your home. This is why Steel Studio has an extensive range of child-friendly balustrade ideas for your staircase.

The concern of the risk of a child falling through a gap in a balustrade or over a balustrade, is real for so many parents. Considering this, you have to look at child-friendly balustrade ideas for your home. Choosing a child-friendly balustrade for your stairs can be a difficult task if you don’t really know all the regulations that a balustrade needs to comply with. That’s why we’re giving you some insight to make the right decision for you and your family when buying a balustrade.

1. Firstly, what is a balustrade?

Before we show you a range of child-friendly balustrade ideas, you first need to understand what a balustrade is and why it’s so crucial that a balustrade is a structural element of any building that has to comply with building and safety regulations. Here’s a link to an article explaining the purpose of a balustrade: https://www.steelstudio.co.za/what-is-a-balustrade/

2. Do you know how high your child-friendly balustrade should be?

SANS regulations state that any balustrade must be no less than 1m high. When we look at the requirements around child-safety, homeowners may consider raising the height to 1.1m or even 1.2m. Building regulations don’t necessarily require this, however it is recommended if you are concerned about climbing children. The below link explains how high your balustrade should be, upgrading to a higher height is up to you: https://www.steelstudio.co.za/how-high-should-my-balustrade-be/

3. Here’s what happens when you don’t fit a handrail to a component fixed glass balustrade.

Everyone wants a frameless glass balustrade without any interfering handrail or post that interrupts your view, but have you considered the child-safety and as a matter of fact, all human safety repercussions of doing this? A specialist in balustrades will not recommend a frameless balustrade without a handrail unless the glass is fitted into a permanent concrete or steel channel, because they would have tested the balustrade and seen that it doesn’t pass the impact test and safety standards. Take a look at the below video on the link to see what happens when an impact test is done on a frameless glass balustrade without a handrail: https://www.steelstudio.co.za/this-is-what-happens-when-you-dont-fit-a-handrail-onto-your-glass-balustrades/

4. The 100mm air-gap rule for child-friendly balustrades.

This isn’t just a child-friendly rule. This includes all balustrades. As per SANS and the residential occupancy category codes, an object of 100mm in diameter may not pass through an area of the balustrade. This will ensure that your child won’t fall through the air-gaps in the balustrade.

5. Are horizontal rail balustrades child-friendly?

Horizontal balustrades are not illegal in South Africa. However, this balustrade design should be scrutinised more closely when there are children to consider. Children are inevitable climbers. They will most definitely consider climbing a horizontal balustrade if the opportunity arises. There are however changes that can be made to this balustrade design that could prevent climbing over.

Raised balustrade height for child safety

The height of the horizontal rail balustrade can be raised if there are children to be considered. This is not law but is a recommended practice for child safety.

A cranked handrail to curb the interest of climbers

If the height of a balustrade is not an option, then a cranked handrail can be installed, preventing children from climbing over a horizontal rail balustrade.

Inclined balustrade

Another option is to incline the balustrade towards the inside of a balcony or slab, which will also prevent mobile toddlers from climbing over a horizontal rail balustrade.

Now that you’re more comfortable with the balustrade regulations, you can make the right decision when looking for a child/friendly balustrade idea for your home.

Here are some impact tested balustrades that Steel Studio has designed and installed in many homes around South Africa, to keep children and adults, safe:

Child-friendly safety tested stainless steel post and glass balustrades

An elegant and affordable glass balustrade idea for a contemporary home that has been engineered for safety and accidental impact.

A frameless glass balustrade that won’t fail under impact

A 12mm panel of toughened safety glass has been secured into a permanent pre-cast concrete channel and does not require a handrail because the permanent channel spreads the load across the glass panel on impact, whilst resisting the impact. This is an affordable balustrade idea if some designing consideration is given ahead with your architect to ensure the design includes for a pre-cast concrete channel, saving you costs on stainless steel components and fittings.

An elegant and safe stainless steel horizontal rail balustrade

This balustrade idea features a laser-cut profile post constructed out of stainless steel. And although the balustrade contains horizontal infill rails, the entire system is fixed at an inclined angle towards the inside of the balcony, preventing mobile toddlers from finding their way over the balustrade.

For more child-friendly and safety tested balustrade ideas visit our web page https://www.steelstudio.co.za/balustrades/ or call us today on 011-608-1963 to get a no-obligation site visit and quote from one of our qualified sales executives.

There are many grades of stainless steel available to manufacture products like balustrades from. Unfortunately, some categories are just not fit for ensuring a safe and long lasting product. If you’re at the coast, here’s what you need to know about the stainless steel grade for your balustrades

A client living at the coast asked Steel Studio a question regarding the grade of stainless steel. His problem was, what grade of stainless steel is the correct grade for balustrades at the coast? He lives within 3km from the coastline, and his builder told him that he needs grade 316 stainless steel for his balustrades. Grade 316 is obviously more expensive than the standard grade 304 that is used for more inland applications, and the client would have to fork out considerably more for his balustrade system.

The differences between grade 304 and grade 316

The differences between these two grades are that you generally have a brushed material in grade 304 and a mirror polished finish with grade 316, however, that’s not all. In the conversation Daniel has with Relco in the above video, Daniel shows the difference between the two grades. Besides the elements that make up the various grades to ensure their non-corrosive properties, stainless Steel grade 316 mirror polish is a much smoother surface, whereas grade 304 is a brushed surface and has grooves in the surface, allowing contaminants to collect in the grooves and over time cause discolouration to the stainless steel if not maintained correctly. These grooves in the brushed grade 304 become a problem when the salt and contaminants in the coastal air, collect in the grooves and over time causes discolouration to the stainless steel. This discolouration could over time become very difficult to clean off and could lead to deterioration of the material and the balustrade system as a whole. Grade 316 mirror polished stainless steel has a smoother surface and with the right amount of maintenance, will not discolour like the grade 304 as it doesn’t have distinctive grooves that contaminants may collect in.

Your distance from the coastline dictates the grade of stainless steel

You have to look at your proximity to the coastline to know if you require grade 316 stainless steel for your balustrade application. The general rule of thumb is that if you are further than 4km from the coastline, you could consider looking at grade 304 which is also cheaper than 316. Otherwise, you should definitely go with 316 within 4km from the shoreline. It also needs to be noted whether the material requirement is for an internal or an external application. If you’re in an airconditioned building and the installation is internal, you can still get away with using grade 304 for the balustrade application as the balustrades are not exposed to the external coastal elements. However, if the application is external, you definitely need to go with 316. If you still decide to go with grade 304, your balustrades are not going to last very long. They will discolour and deteriorate, leaving you with a potentially unsafe balustrade system.

What does stainless steel grade 316 cost compared to grade 304

There is obviously a cost saving if you are able to go with grade 304 stainless steel, but is not advisable for external use closer than 4km from the coastline. Stainless steel grade 316 mirror polished is more expensive than grade 304 brushed, but will ensure that you are left with a balustrade system that is safe and lasts longer.

For more information on our grade 304 and grade 316, stainless steel balustrade designs visit our web page https://www.steelstudio.co.za/stainless-steel-balustrades/ or call us on 011-608-1963 to talk to one of our qualified sales executives for a no-obligation site inspection and quote.