What Are the Best Heights for Decking Banisters? 

 Having elevated decking for balconies or sloped gardens installed is an exciting process. But, naturally, it also raises one specific safety concern – how do I protect people from drops and other height-related hazards? Thankfully, NeoTimber® is here to help. Through our comprehensive range of building compliant composite balustrades, we hope to help you border your low-level and high-level projects alike. Keeping you, your loved ones, and your customers safe is our top priority, and you’ll quickly come to learn that we’ve spared no expense to do so.

To guarantee safety, you’ll need a secure balustrade. But – we hear you ask – what height would work best for my project? How high is too high? How low is too low? Don’t worry, we’ve got all the answers. So, grab a cuppa and take some time to read over this article. It’ll tell you all you need to know about safety regulations and requirements when installing your balustrade project.

First, we’ll go into the facts. For any deck up to 300mm in height – or a low-level deck, as it’s more commonly known – a balustrade of at least 900mm in height is required to guarantee safety. Of course, we couldn’t blame you for asking why such a small elevation needs a railing system in the first place. Surely a small drop is harmless, right? Well, not quite.

Say you have a toddler running around. With barely any depth perception or sense of spatial awareness, chances are that little one’s going to end up toddling off of a rail-free decking at any given moment. No matter the scenario, composite balustrades are the perfect hazard preventative. It’s for this reason that NeoTimber’s composite balustrades sit just above the minimum height requirement at a nice 1100mm high.

High-level decks, however, are a completely different story. Instead of little falls being a slight cause for concern, a tumble from any elevated surface higher than 300mm could cause serious damage. This is why projects exceeding this height require a balustrade, complete with a handrail of no less than 1100mm in height.

Not to mention that decks above 300mm tend to be fitted with steps. If these steps are a metre wide, you’ll have to install a hand railing on either side of the stairs. Thankfully, our composite balustrades are strong, safe, and compliant for levels greater than 600mm. Partnered with their easy installation and high versatility, NeoTimber® decking banisters promise to give you the protection you need.

But why should you choose composite balustrades specifically? Surely timber can do the same thing for a cheaper price, can’t it? We both love and hate to tell you this, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth. If not treated or maintained on a regular basis, timber is known to warp, splinter, and rot. Now imagine that being the only thing standing between you and a fall from a 600mm deck.

You can’t put your trust in wood balustrades, and that’s where NeoTimber’s composite balustrade railing comes in. Put simply, composite is a material that resists degradation far better than timber, making it a reliable safety measure for any deck. Partnered with the metal core used in our balustrade system, we offer something timber simply can’t compete with – absolute safety.

NeoTimber’s composite decking banisters are a hybrid system, granting them many incredibly useful applications. Our balustrade posts and composite railings are suitable for balconies, stairs, raised decks, and low-rise roof terrace builds, and can even be installed onto existing decking and concrete. The handrail attaches to the post through a bolt fixing, which can then be set at any angle, making it the perfect choice for any outdoor build project. Available in five stunning colours, our selection makes it easier than ever to find a balustrade option that matches your vision.