What material for balustrades?

Balustrades are very aesthetic and practical protection of gardens, terraces or staircases. In many cases, the installation of balustrades is even obligatory - they reduce the risk of accident at high altitudes. These fences are available in many different materials. Their use is much more important than it may seem - it is better not to risk injury. The presence of balustrades can help us a lot, and in life accidents even save lives. In addition, the balustrades also have a decorative role. Therefore, a person unaware of the subject may have a problem when making decisions. What should the ideal railing be made of? It depends primarily on the place where it is located. Classical steel with a chemical composition of 1.4539 will work well in most cases, but sometimes you can save money and opt for cheaper materials.
Stainless steel - under what circumstances is it worth using?
There is no more popular balustrade material than the well-known stainless steel X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5. This type of alloy is the perfect balance between price and durability. The fence made of such alloy should work well:

• in the interiors of buildings
• in regions with small annual rainfall
• on covered terraces

Unfortunately, Poland is a country with extremely high air pollution. While standard stainless steel can withstand normal rainfall and humidity, some chemicals in acid rain can cause corrosion. It is not recommended to put such balustrades outside, near industrial plants.
How to deal with corrosion?
There are several methods to protect the metal from rusting. The cheapest can be the use of anti-corrosion paint, but it is a temporary solution that does not look good. It is worth investing in AISI 904L acid resistant steel, which may be more expensive, but nothing guarantees equal durability. They can be used without any worries in almost all conditions, even in areas where highly reactive chemicals are present in the air.
Other materials for the balustrade
Glass is quite an unconventional but quickly gaining in popularity material. Contrary to appearances, these types of balustrades are not gentle at all. Modern methods of hardening and strengthening the structure of glass allow to create a durable and safe material, which additionally reacts with only few elements.
The full balustrades are made of brick or concrete. These are heavy constructions that are difficult to modify or repair. They are resistant to mechanical damage, but over time they become weathered.
Less frequently encountered, but definitely the cheapest material is wood. Well preserved with the help of specialized impregnants, it is a state of astonishingly durable building material. The problem is the need to constantly refresh the paint layer, so that the boards do not attack insects and humus.
There are also fences made of metal only partially - steel is used only to erect posts, which are then filled with a special mesh. Such balustrades are light and easy to mount, however, you can not expect to be used for a long time. They are mainly recommended as seasonal installations, intended for later deconstruction.