Staircase Railings and Balustrades
The Part of a Staircase Everyone Actually Touches
A railing is the only part of a staircase people put their hands on, and the only part that has a job beyond looking right: it has to stop a fall. That makes it the component where specification matters most and where cutting cost shows soonest.
We fabricate railings and balustrades for staircases, landings, balconies and terraces, in our own Malad workshop, for projects across India. They can be built with a new staircase or fitted to one already in place.
What We Build
- Stainless steel cable railings. Slim posts carrying taut horizontal cables. Keeps sightlines open. We use 316-grade cable, which is the grade that belongs anywhere near the sea.
- Frameless glass balustrades. Toughened or laminated panels held on stainless standoffs or a base channel, with a capping handrail or none at all.
- Mild steel balusters. Slim square or round bars, powder-coated, usually matte black. The most cost-effective system and the most adaptable.
- Stainless steel railings. Posts, infill and handrail in stainless, for humid and coastal conditions where a coating would need maintaining.
- Aluminium railings. Anodised, light and genuinely rust-proof, well suited to terraces and external landings.
- Brass and combination handrails. Where the handrail itself is meant to be the detail, often paired with a steel or glass balustrade.
Handrails can be timber, brass, stainless or powder-coated steel regardless of what the balustrade is made from. It is the part you touch, so it is worth choosing separately.
The Dimensions That Are Not Negotiable
A railing that looks right and measures wrong is not a railing. These are built into every job we take.
- Handrail height between 34 and 38 inches, measured from the pitch line of the treads.
- Baluster gaps a small child cannot pass through, and no wider gap left at the top landing, which is where it is most often forgotten.
- A continuous handrail that runs the full flight rather than stopping short at either end.
- Graspable section. A handrail too thick or too flat to close a hand around does not do its job in the moment it is needed.
- Fixings sized for sideways load, because a balustrade resists people leaning on it, not just its own weight.
Replacing a Railing on an Existing Staircase
This is the single most effective way to modernise a staircase without replacing it, and it is a large part of what we do. A sound flight with a dated or unsafe balustrade is a straightforward job: the structure stays, the railing changes.
It is also the usual fix when baluster gaps are too wide for a house with small children, or when a handrail is the wrong height. Both are correctable without touching the staircase itself. Our guide to repairing or replacing an old staircase covers how to judge which you need.
Common Questions
Can you fit a railing to a staircase you did not build?
Yes, and we do it often. Send photographs of the flight and the landing, along with the length of the run and the floor-to-floor height.
Which railing needs the least maintenance?
Anodised aluminium and 316-grade stainless ask for the least. Powder-coated mild steel is the most economical, and needs its coating kept intact. Glass is low-maintenance structurally but shows fingerprints at exactly hand height.
Is glass safe with children?
Yes, when it is laminated rather than only toughened, and when the fittings are specified for the load. Laminated glass holds together if it breaks, which is why we prefer it wherever a fall is possible.
What does a railing cost?
It depends on the length of the run, the system, the infill and the finish, so we quote against your measurements rather than publish a figure. What sets a staircase price explains what moves the number.
How long does it take?
Most work is completed in 2 to 4 weeks from drawing approval. Larger or more intricate runs can take longer, and we confirm the timeline before fabrication begins.
Send the Run and a Photograph
The useful details are the length of the railing, the floor-to-floor height if it follows a staircase, whether it is inside or exposed to weather, and a photograph of the space. Send those and we will come back with a drawing and a price.
See also aluminium stairs and railings, choosing materials for Indian conditions, or send your measurements. For upkeep, our maintenance guide covers balustrade and handrail care.