Balcony Railing
An Important Architectural Element
Many modern homes incorporate some type of great room and loft to create an open feel to the living space. This means that there is often a balcony railing that is prominent in the great room or living area. Take your time selecting the railing idea that is right for you.
The balcony handrail is an architectural element of a home’s interior design that is often overlooked by designer, builder and homeowner. The staircase leading up is often one of the very first pieces of the home that a new visitor will see. It is important to make a strong statement with these architectural elements that will dazzle viewers.
What Type of Balcony Railings to Use
Mountain Laurel Handrails use natural wood balusters to create wondrous designs from branches that have grown into a variety of shapes. This design incorporates a balcony handrail which connects with the stair railing and leads into the cathedral ceiling.
Wooden Balcony Railings for Wooden Homes
The first thing you see as you enter this home is the stair railing and it leads to the balcony handrail which is also made in the same style. The tongue and groove lumber on the cathedral ceiling required expert woodworking precision to ensure a close fit. Take a close look at the pictures and you’ll see all the special modifications that the carpenters made to produce quality finished work.
Balcony Handrail Designs and Code Regulations
Balcony handrail design, just like most parts of a home or new construction, are governed by different code regulations. These code requirements are set in most places by the building code produced by the International Code Council. These requirements are then adopted and modified by local jurisdictions.
The handrail height code in most places is between 36″ and 42″. The balcony handrail system provided by Mountain Laurel Handrails comes in sections that are typically 31″ tall. With a 3.5″ space from the finish floor and a 1.5″ thick board on the top, the finish height is 36″. If you want something taller than this, just let us know.
Yellow Pine for Log Home
The homeowner liked the look of yellow pine lumber and they already had a lot of wood in the home which made this rustic stair railing the crowning jewel in this home. Many homes incorporate different kinds of wood and it’s important to keep everything in a home matching nicely. This can be a tricky proposition in either new construction or remodeling. Other material options include wrought iron, glass panels or balusters, or regular wood balusters made of 2×2 boards.
Lumber Options for Balcony Handrail and Stairs Railing
Our master carpenters in the workshop can help with some of these choices. Lumber is one of the most common modifications to an order as homeowners and contractors try to match the new or existing lumber. This yellow pine option installed in a log home remodel in the North Georgia mountains shows how keeping the lumber palette limited can blend the whole project together for great final results.
There is great diversity in the different lumber species. Even cutting the same tree in different ways results in wood that looks differently. The typical lumber for Mountain Laurel Handrails is red cedar. This lumber ranges from light pink to dark brown with knots. Clear cedar which has no knots is also available for a premium price. Redwood, which is similar to cedar and is apparently common the West Coast, is quite expensive on the East Coast where it is special order.
Unique Balcony Handrail for a Unique Home
This handrail installation made this home extra special and unique. But Mountain Laurel Handrails aren’t the only type of unique stairway railing that is a good match for a mountain home. If you’re building a log home, or timber frame, there are a few options. Many homes built in the craftsman style will have strong horizontal elements in the woodwork and intricate, built up columns to create a craftsman motif.
Depending on the style that you’re looking for, you’ll have some choices to make. But choosing a bold statement for your inside handrails is sure to make a strong impression! Especially for a log home or a mountain home with lots of wood ceilings and hardwood floors like the one pictured here, natural wood is the perfect match for pine ceilings and hardwood flooring. Contact us today with your project details to get started!
Balcony Railing in a Texas Barndominium
This project was installed in a Texas “barndominium”, a large open barn-type building that has been converted for residential use. We worked with the homeowner while this home was still in the beginning construction phase. This close collaboration leads to a well-executed finale. If you have questions or want specific advice on your project, contact us and we’d be happy to help so that your results are just as pleasing as this!
Here’s what the homeowner had to say when she sent her pictures of the completed work.
Hi James,
Hope these pictures work for you. We think the balcony railing adds so much to the Texas barndominium look. We really like them and get many positive comments. Thanks for being so easy to work with through the process.
The homeowner decorated with icicle lights for the Christmas holiday. I know that this post is a little late for the holiday season but this is just such a great looking railing. The dark stained beam and handrail opens up to the natural pine tongue and groove ceiling. Those icicle lights add a festive look and the three-blade fan adds a nice touch. The balcony looks like a there’s some furniture set up and lamps for lounging and reading a book or just curling up for a short nap.
