For as long as stairs have been around, they have needed ways to keep people from falling off of the edge and offer support as they travel up and down — enter banisters. For many traditional staircases, a banister was not only a support element, but it was also an intricate design element that acted as a focal point and enhanced the beauty of the space.
Modern takes on the banister, known as railings, offer the same support, but with an updated spin. Railings are versatile, easy to install, and come with a range of customization options, making them the perfect counterpart to the traditional banister. Let’s take a look at banisters versus railings, and then see some modern railing designs in action.
What Is a Banister?
By definition, a banister is a handrail with its supporting posts, but in practice, the definition is much more nuanced. Banisters are wood railings supported by spindles that double as a decorative feature, typically in older homes and buildings. The spindles, also called balusters, run between the top rail and bottom rail or between the top rail and staircase, and these vertical posts are often ornately carved, giving each banister a unique look.The top rail of a banister doubles as a handrail, and the profile is often wider than that of modern railings with a graspable finger recess on both sides.
Banisters act as a railing to support those on the stairs and prevent them from falling off, but they are also an ornate, decorative design element. Another key feature are the newel posts that sit at the end of the stair rail or at the corners on landings. Newel posts are larger vertical columns to which the banister is attached that add structure and support to the railing system. These carved elements enhance the design while providing stability.
What Is a Railing?
A railing serves the same purpose as a baluster — to provide safety and stability for those on using stairs — but they have a wider range of applications and come with a few key differences. And while all banisters can do double duty and be considered railings, not all railings will fit into the banister category.
Like banisters, railings can be used on staircases and balconies, but they’re also used in other applications like on walkways and ramps. Railings can feature wood spindles as the infill, but modern railings systems offer more infill options, including glass, perforated metal panels, cables, picket panels, wire mesh, and more.
Railings, as the modern evolution of the banister, also have enhanced features for safety and convenience. These include a safer handrail profile that is typically round, though it can be rectangular.
Railings also feature mounting systems that allow them to be installed on an adjacent wall rather than on the staircase itself, giving the system more versatility. This versatility is another feature that sets railings apart from banisters. While banisters are beautiful and one of a kind systems, railings come in a range of materials and designs that are suitable for a wide range of applications. Let’s take a look at a few.
VIVA Railings in Action
VIVA Railings systems are highly customizable, making them ideal for different locations and in a range of buildings.
Maintain the View While Enhancing Safety
At the Sherman ISD New High School, the CIRCATM Glass Railing System was the ideal choice for different areas throughout the school. In the gymnasium, the glass infill creates separation between the bleachers and the basketball court without obscuring any of the action. This system also provided the perfect balcony and stair railings, so students can see their surroundings and say hi to friends while travelling to and from their classes.
Enhance the Design with Complementary Materials
The railings system installed at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Minnetonka, Minnesota is the perfect complement to the overall design. The light wood railing blends seamlessly with the wood floors and the black powder coated posts add a modern spin enhanced by the streamlined multiline infill. The BLADETM Multiline Railing System pulls everything together to create a cohesive look that offers safety and code compliance.
Offer Visibility without Compromising Safety
The overall design at the Denton ISD Strickland Middle School is playful and exciting with an emphasis on bright colors and open spaces. The upper balcony of the library overlooks common areas below, and the CIRCATM Perf Railing System offers the ideal blend of safety and visibility. The perforated metal infill panel appears to be floating in between the tubular support posts to give the space an open feel without compromising safety.
Place Support Where It’s Needed Most
In some designs, intermediate railings are necessary to provide adequate support, especially on wide stairways. The FSRTM Freestanding Railing System helps you meet building codes and achieve the necessary support because it can be installed as a standalone railing anywhere you need it. At the UTA Science, Engineering, Innovation & Research center, it’s used in conjunction with the main staircase railing system and is core mounted in the center of the stairs.
Install Indoors or Outdoors
Unlike wood banisters that need lots of maintenance when installed outdoors, a modern metal railing system can stand up to the elements with very little maintenance. At the Hilton Austin Convention Center, the overhead walkway features a custom design that blends safety and functionality.
Banisters Get a Modern Upgrade with VIVA Railings
Banisters are a beautiful and traditional design feature, but they are time-consuming to design and install, and they don’t offer the features inherent in modern railing design. Materials like glass and metal require very little maintenance, and our prefabricated systems come ready to install. There are also a wide range of infills, finishes, and systems to choose from, so you can customize the railing system to your project’s specifications.
Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to discuss the options our system offers and how you can design the ideal system for your project.