What Are The Parts Of A Porch Railing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A wooden porch railing consists of five basic parts:

posts, top rails, bottom rails, balusters and railing cap

. Other decorative elements may be added, such as post caps, but are not necessary for a basic, sturdy design. The posts attach to the deck and provide the support for the entire framework.

What are the things in a railing called?


A baluster

is a the vertical post onto which the handrail is affixed. It is usually a part of the guardrail system. These pillars or columns are usually decorative in design and are also referred to as the spindle.

What are the vertical slats in a railing called?


Balusters

— The vertical boards that attach to the handrails. Sometimes called spindles. Beams — The horizontal boards that are attached to the post to help carry the weight.

What are the bars on a railing called?


A baluster

is a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its construction are wood, stone, and less frequently metal and ceramic.

What are spindles on a railing?

Spindles (also known as balusters) are

the vertical posts that connect the base rail and handrail on a staircase

. They form part of the balustrade, the collective name for the base rail, handrail, newel posts and spindles.

What is a railing used for?

To Help People Balance on Steps and Platforms: When a person loses balance on the stairs or suffers from muscle weakness, they may cling to the railing. Railings

provide stability

, which is especially important for young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

What are the 4 main parts of a railing?

Guardrails contain,

at minimum, posts, balusters, and a top rail

.

What is the difference between a railing and a banister?

As nouns the difference between banister and railing

is that

banister is the handrail on the side of a staircase while railing is a fence or barrier consisting of one or more horizontal rails and vertical supports

.

What is the difference between balustrade and railing?

is that railing is a fence or barrier consisting of one or more horizontal rails and vertical supports while balustrade is (architecture) a row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.

What’s the difference between a banister and a baluster?

The word “banister” comes from the word baluster, which is really a pomegranate flower! … Nowadays, baluster mean any brace between the handrail and footrail (or string) of a railing system. So, the

banister is really the spindle

. In general, the handrail, footrail, and balusters all components of a balustrade.

What is the bottom of a banister called?


A newel, also called a central pole or support column

, is the central supporting pillar of a staircase. It can also refer to an upright post that supports and/or terminates the handrail of a stair banister (the “newel post”).

What is the difference between balusters and spindles?

A baluster and spindle is actually

almost the same thing

, but the word spindle is more commonly used because it is easier to remember and say. Balusters usually rest on a footing; this could be a step, floor or deck, whereas, spindles are supported by a horizontal rail at the bottom that is attached to the posts.

What exactly is a banister?

The definition of a banister is

the long support that runs along the side of a staircase

. An example of a banister is a wooden rail to the side of a staircase that can be held for support.

What is a return on a handrail?

Handrail returns are the

individual segments connecting the end of a railing to the wall

, a newel post, or a surface (like a sidewalk).

What is a balcony railing called?


A balustrade

is a name for that railing on a balcony, porch or terrace. It can be indoors or outdoors. The word comes from the French word balustre; from the Italian word balaustro and balaustra, wild pomegranate flower; from Latin balaustium from Greek balaustion; from its shape.

Which type of railing is best?

  1. SS (stainless steel) SS is one of the premium materials used for balcony railings that can give the balcony a high-end modern look.
  2. MS (mild steel) …
  3. Aluminium. …
  4. Glass. …
  5. Wood. …
  6. Concrete. …
  7. Cast iron and wrought iron railings.
David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.