Fascia Mount Railings 101: Benefits, Types, and Considerations

For those that use railings — whether to go up and down stairs, support themselves on an icy patch, or simply rest their hand on it as they walk around a balcony — the mounting system probably isn’t the thing that’s on their mind. But when designing a handrail system, the mounting system actually has a large impact on the design as well as installation and cost requirements. 

Fascia mounted railings are railings that are mounted to the side of the walking surface, be it a staircase, ramp, walkway, or balcony. Because of its position on the side of the installation surface, fascia mounted railings can add an aesthetic element to the design through the hardware choices as well as increase visibility and make a strong design statement.  

Benefits of Fascia Mounted Railings

Fascia mounted railings offer many benefits that can help you realize your design goals. They save space on the walking surface, offer a modern aesthetic and are compatible with a wide range of railing support methods and infills, including perforated metal panels, cable railings, and glass railings.  

Space Saving Design 

One of the biggest benefits to installing a fascia mount railing is its space-saving design. Because the railing is installed on the side of the staircase or protected area, it frees up more floor or stair space, maximizing the space you have available.

At Benefis Hospital, the STRUCTM Metal Panel Railing System and the fascia mount allows for more usable space which was especially important in this waiting area. The design also incorporates a handrail which, while not required on flat walking surfaces, adds safety and assistance to those who may need it as they navigate through the hospital. 

Modern Aesthetic

Whether you’re designing a sleek industrial space or a contemporary oasis, a fascia mounted system promises to complement the design with its modern look. VIVA Railings offers fascia mounting options for a variety of our railing systems include fascia mount cable railings, aluminum railing fascia mount, and fascia mounted glass railings.

Compatible with Different Infill and Railing Support Methods

Railing systems can be supported by posts or self-supporting as with some glass panel systems. Fascia mounting allows for a variety of railing support methods and infills to increase opportunities for customization.

The University of Texas Dallas Science Building used a fascia mounted glass railing to create an unobstructed staircase and elevated walkway. The fascia mounted VIEWTM Glass Railing also allows for unobstructed views as there are no interruptions from other mounting hardware. Where handrails are needed, they are installed directly onto the glass infill to provide the necessary support. 

In another fascia mounted option, our VISIOTM Glass Railing System offers a structural glass point supported stainless steel railing system with added style. The clip system that holds the glass infill panels in place can be top or fascia mounted. At the Granite Park VI multi-use building, the VISIOTM system is used to create a fascia mount glass railing on the floating staircase leading to the second floor as well as the second floor guard.

Our CUBETM Multiline Railing System uses 2” x 2” square posts with monolithic pyramid top caps to create a contemporary appearance. The fascia mounted posts add dimension to the outer edge of the railing to help achieve design goals while maximizing walking space.

Considerations When Choosing a Fascia Mounted Railing System

While fascia mounted railing systems come with a number of benefits, there are also factors to consider before making the final choice — among them are installation, cost, and available space. 

Installation

To determine whether or not a fascia mounted system is right for your project, you should consult with your project team to determine if it is the right option for your railing system. Fascia mounted systems require access to the side of the walking surface which can increase the difficulty level of installation.

Cost

Because of increased installation difficulty, fascia mounted systems are typically more expensive than top mounted systems. It’s important to understand your project budget and how the railing system fits into it before making your final decision.

Available Space

The space-saving nature of fascia mounted railing systems makes them ideal for tighter spaces where preserving walking space is a top priority. 

Choose Style and Save Space with VIVA Railings Fascia Mounted Systems

Many of our railing systems allow for fascia mounted posts or glass infill including the CUBETM Glass Railing System, STRUCTM Metal Panel Railings System, FINTM Glass Railing System, and CUBETM Multiline Railing System, among others.

Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to explore our fascia mounted railing systems and determine which one will work best for your project.