— FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS —
Balustrade FAQs.
Answers to common questions about balustrade design, regulations, installation and maintenance in the UK. Written by the SWR team to help homeowners, architects, contractors and specifiers make informed decisions.
balustrade faqs
Common questions about balustrades
Which wire balustrade system is right for my project?
Most staircase and terrace projects use Horizontal Wire — the classic spec. Vertical Wire is the answer where children will be present, since the 100mm sphere rule needs to be met. Wall-Mounted Wire is the right choice for retrofit work or narrow stair flights without space for posts. Self-Assembly Kits are the route for self-builders fitting their own balustrade with timber posts. If you’re not sure which one fits, send us a sketch and we’ll tell you straight.
Will wire balustrade meet UK building regulations?
Yes, on every project we supply. All four wire balustrade systems are engineered to BS 6180:2011 and Approved Document K. For child-safe applications, we specify vertical wire at 90mm centres rather than horizontal. Tension calculations are project-specific and signed off before fabrication.
What about marine and coastal exposure?
Yes, on every project we supply. All four wire balustrade systems are engineered to BS 6180:2011 and Approved Document K. For child-safe applications, we specify vertical wire at 90mm centres rather than horizontal. Tension calculations are project-specific and signed off before fabrication.
How does wire balustrade compare to glass on price?
Yes, on every project we supply. All four wire balustrade systems are engineered to BS 6180:2011 and Approved Document K. For child-safe applications, we specify vertical wire at 90mm centres rather than horizontal. Tension calculations are project-specific and signed off before fabrication.
Can I order supply-only, or does SWR install?
Yes, on every project we supply. All four wire balustrade systems are engineered to BS 6180:2011 and Approved Document K. For child-safe applications, we specify vertical wire at 90mm centres rather than horizontal. Tension calculations are project-specific and signed off before fabrication.
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