At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much about balustrades and handrails for your timber deck. They’re essentially barriers that protect you from stepping over the edge of the deck. But apply some imagination and construction smarts and the humble railing can transform into something more. Here are some delightful timber deck balustrade ideas.
The Transparent Deck Balustrade
If you have a raised deck such as the one in the photo above then it makes perfect sense to place railings around the deck’s perimeter so you don’t end up falling on your face or hurting yourself should you inadvertently step over the edge of the structure. And the higher the elevation of your deck the more necessary it is to have that protective barrier around it.
However, this level of protection does have its downside, especially if your deck happens to look over a magnificent view. Deck railings with matching solid balustrades can obscure the view, perhaps not completely, but probably enough so that it takes away from the overall experience. A cable balustrade provides a suitable solution. Besides giving your deck a modern, streamlined appearance, the cables are so narrow that they all but disappear against the backdrop, providing you with an unimpeded view (or at least a convincing illusion) of the grandeur that surrounds your deck.
You can also ensure that you don’t lose the view while still protecting yourself from gravity by using clear glass or acrylic panels for balustrading, as in the case below.
Deck Balustrade Elbow Room
Normally the decks balustrade is topped off with a narrow piece of timber handrail, such as in the photo below.
You’ll notice that there’s barely enough room on top of the railing to accommodate your elbows. Wouldn’t it be great if you could fit in a lot more? That’s a problem that can easily be addressed; simply widen the area on top of the railing.
The Best Seats In the House!
Seating is so important to having a good deck experience, especially when you have many guests around. If you need extra seating on your deck you can simply convert your balustrade into seats! You and your guests are still protected from gravity but at the same time you have ample seating to provide. So everyone is safe yet relaxed and happy.
The Balustrade As Garden
One more proof of balustrading versatility is that you can use it to propagate a container garden right on your deck. Simply integrate planter boxes into the design and you have the beginnings of what could be an awesome flower bed.
