The case of the disappearing balusters

Paul Smith, Head of Marketing at long-standing F.H. Brundle, explores the rise of balustrades, and how they’ve changed in the centuries since they were first used. 

They might be seen as highly prestigious, even luxurious, today, but balustrades are fundamentally very simple. 

There’s a horizontal handrail, and a row of short vertical posts or columns – balusters – holding it up. That’s essentially it. 

But over the many centuries they’ve been in use, despite that simplicity, balustrades have still managed to change drastically. 

When the vastly rich and influential Medici family of Renaissance Italy set about building a sumptuous palace for themselves, the resulting grand villa had balustrades aplenty. 

But even one of the wealthiest families in the world would’ve baulked at the suggestion of making them out of glass – even if it had been technologically possible at the time, it would’ve been far too expensive. 

Back then, balustrades were mostly stone, and highly stylised – the balusters were often an elegant bulb shape which resembled pomegranate flowers, called balaustra in Italian, which is how the product first got its name. 

Today, however, glass balustrades are increasingly common, and prized for their ability to solve one of the biggest drawbacks of their stone and metal ancestors – the fact they often blocked out the view. 

Technology has advanced to such an extent that it’s now possible to create huge glass sections – with the very best products featuring balusters that are so thin that they’re virtually invisible, and create the effect of an uninterrupted wall of glass. 

Stylish, versatile and simple to install 

At F.H. Brundle, we pride ourselves on stocking a selection of sleek and stylish balustrade products that can be tailored to all sorts of projects, properties and budgets. 

Our installation-friendly pre-assembled post ranges include Timeless, which features a handrail, and Contemplation, which comes without. 

To save time, both products are supplied with base plates and glass clamps already fitted, and posts for crossbar holders and wire rope are also available. 

The range has been specifically designed to cater to a number of different installation scenarios, and so posts come available to bolt down, concrete-in and side fix. 

The posts are available in stainless steel grades 304 and 316 satin finish, and a mirror polished finish ideal for coastal locations – 10mm thickness standard glass panels are available from stock, in 100mm increments up to 1100mm width. 

In addition, our range of outstanding frameless glass balustrade systems, including Wedge-Loc™, Tilt-Loc™ and Posi-Glaze, provide spectacular results every time.  

Quick to install and available as base or side fix options, finishes are satin anodised, PPC black or a mill finish to powder coat to a colour of your choice.   

What’s more, there’s a choice of easy-to-fit glass spigots, supplied in aluminium or Duplex 2205 (ultra-marine stainless). 

Glass stand-off adaptors are also available – a discreet and simple way of holding glass panels in place, whilst offering a contemporary touch of elegance to glass balustrades, railings or staircases. These are available in a satin or mirror finish, and now also PPC matt black.  

12mm thickness standard glass panels for our frameless glass balustrades are available from stock, in 100mm increments up to 1200mm width. 

Speak to F.H. Brundle 

With our outstanding selection of versatile balustrade products, we’re confident we can tailor a quality solution to the needs of a wide range of projects and properties. 

For more information on how you can incorporate these stylish features in your next development, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – call
01708 39 80 48, visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk or email sales@brundle.com.