This guide provides general information on member sizes, connections and suitable materials for construction of handrails and balustrades in external applications. Commonly built from treated softwood and durable hardwoods, they can be finished with a wide variety of paints or stains, creating balustrades that with the right care and attention, will comfortably withstand the elements for decades to come. The versatility, strength and natural beauty of timber makes it the ideal material choice for external handrails and balustrades. Usually built from treated softwood and durable hardwoods these timbers can be turned to create a range of styles and designs, resulting in balusters that are unique as they are individual. Painting, staining and oil based finishes broadly cover the wide range of finishing options available and with the appropriate care systems attention a timber balustrade can last a lifetime. This guide provides general information on member sizes, connections and suitable materials to enable the construction of a long lasting, attractive and durable timber handrail or balustrade. It also specifies that balustrades and handrails must be able to resist a timber horizontal or vertical load of 1. Infill, including balusters, should be capable of resisting systems. Considering its strength, beauty and versatility it is not surprising that timber remains one of the most popular material choice for balustrades and handrails. In warmer northern climates timber used in balustrade and handrail construction should be either Above Ground Durability Class 1 species with any sapwood present treated to H3 or higher or, H3 or higher treated softwood such as slash, hoop or radiata pine. Preservative treatment needs to comply with AS In the cooler, more temperate southern climates it should be either Above Ground Durability Class 2 species or better with any sapwood present treated to H3 or higher or, H3 or higher treated softwood such as slash, hoop or radiata pine. Again, preservative treatment needs to comply with AS Care should be balustrade to ensure that water is not trapped by end grain abutting horizontal surfaces. The timber should be free of any major strength reducing features, be straight grained and in accordance with the following:. AS Timber - Hardwood - Sawn and milled products - clear or select grade. Softwood including imported softwood: AS - Joinery timber milled from Australian grown conifers - clear grade In addition, finger jointed timber shall comply with AS Timber - Finger joints in structural products and laminated timber shall comply with AS Glued laminated structural timber. Handrails and balustrades for all buildings are required to comply timber the Building Code of Australia BCA. The BCA stipulates that a continuous balustrade or handrail must be provided along:. The height of a balustrade or other barrier must not be less than one metre above the balustrade of any access path, balcony, landing or the like and not be less than mm above the nosings of the stair treads or the floor of a ramp. Openings in balustrades including decorative balustrades or other barriers must be constructed so that they do not allow a mm sphere to pass through. Floors more than four metres above the surface beneath, any horizontal elements within the balustrade or other barrier between mm and mm above the floor must not facilitate climbing. Several systems properties must be considered in the design and construction of handrails and balusters. Posts and newel posts shall have a minimum stress grade of Timber. Where they only support handrails, the minimum size of posts and newel posts should be 80 x 80 timber maximum post spacing mm and height of mm. Refer to AS to determine the size for posts that support additional loads such as roof or flooring. Connections are essential in the transference of loads from handrails to posts. All metal connections used in external balustrade and handrail construction should be of timber non-corrosive material. Acceptable balustrade on handrails and the capacity of handrail connections are outlined in the following tables:. For timber used in external applications, a key objective in applying and maintaining finishes, paints and stains balustrade to maximise the service life of the timber by minimising the effects of weathering. Exposure to sun and rain leads to wetting and drying and subsequent splitting and distortion. For external balustrades, choice of timber must be appropriate for long term exterior exposure and the application and maintenance of finishes should not be considered a substitute for the inherent durability natural or by treatment of the underlying timber. Nail holes should be stopped with an exterior grade wood filler and dirt or any loose material removed prior to coating. All surfaces, ends and joints should be primed prior to assembly with a quality solvent based alkyd primer or stain. On completion of installation, final balustrade coats of an exterior paint or stain should be applied, with all steps in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Pink pre-coated handrail and balustrade components should be sanded back and dusted off to remove any coatings prior to finishing. Nail holes should be stopped with an exterior systems wood filler and all surfaces, ends and joints primed prior to assembly with a quality, solvent based alkyd primer. Dark coloured paints and stains should be avoided as they heat timber to elevated temperatures that increases timber of moisture and subsequent shrinkage and checking. Decay is also more active at higher temperatures. All finishes should be applied and used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Frequent wetting of the rail and balustrade should systems avoided and cleaning should involve sweeping down rather than hosing down. Reapplication of finishes will be required at regular intervals, depending on finish type and degree of exposure. Before recoating the rail and balustrade should be thoroughly cleaned and debris removed from around steps. Recoating should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Dromana Discount Timber is one of the Mornington Peninsula's largest stockists of all your timber and general construction needs. For balustrade 30 years, we have built a solid reputation for supplying quality products at very competitive pricing. Overview Search all Case Studies. View by building type Residential Commercial Public Timber Design Awards. Overview Search all Why Wood. Environmental Credentials Carbon Storage Low Embodied Energy Life Cycle Analysis Maximise Green Star Ratings Recycling and Wood Waste See more. Product Performance Fire Performance Acoustic Performance Strength Performance Thermal Performance See more. Third Party Certification Forest Management Certification articles. Overview Advanced Species Search. Hardwood Species Blackbutt Victorian Ash Jarrah Red Gum Grey Ironbark See more. Softwood species Douglas Fir Radiata Pine Slash Pine Western Red Cedar White Cypress See more. Wood Product Categories Plywood Laminated Veneer Lumber LVL Medium Density Fibreboard MDF Glulam Particleboard See more. Compare species Special Information Articles. Overview Search all Resources. Featured Project Barn House View more inspiration. Exterior Rails and Balustrades. Specifications Loads Australian Standard Selecting timber Considering its strength, beauty and versatility it is not surprising that timber remains one of the most popular material choice for balustrades and handrails. Durability and species In warmer northern climates timber used systems balustrade and handrail construction should be either Above Ground Durability Class 1 species with any sapwood present treated to H3 or higher or, H3 or higher treated softwood such as slash, hoop or radiata pine. Grade The timber should be free of any major strength reducing features, be straight grained and in accordance with the following: AS Timber - Hardwood - Sawn and milled products - clear or select grade; Softwood including imported softwood: Key Considerations BCA requirements Handrails and balustrades for all buildings are required to comply with the Building Code of Australia BCA. The BCA stipulates that a continuous balustrade or handrail must be provided along: The side of any roof to which public access is provided. Any stairway, ramp, floor, corridor, hallway, balcony, verandah, mezzanine, access bridge or the like. Along the side of any path of access to a building, if it is not bounded by a wall and more than one metre above the surface beneath. Structural properties Several structural properties must be considered in the design and construction of handrails and balusters. Handrail sizes Handrail sizes and spans should be in accordance with the following table: Acceptable loads on handrails and the capacity of handrail connections are outlined in the following tables: Unprimed timber Nail holes should be stopped with an exterior grade wood filler and dirt or any loose material removed prior to coating. Treated timber Pink pre-coated handrail and balustrade components should be sanded back and dusted off to remove any coatings prior to finishing. Care and maintenance Frequent wetting of the rail and balustrade should be avoided and cleaning should involve sweeping down rather than hosing down. Suppliers These suppliers supply wood products that can be used for this application A. PTY Balustrade Timber and Moulding Producers, Decking, Flooring, Architraves, Skirting boards, Dressed Timber Australian Sustainable Hardwoods Australian Sustainable Hardwoods. Fewings Joinery Pty Ltd High end Bespoke Timber Joinery Windows, Doors, Cabinetry and more Result s page systems of 5 1 2 3 4 5. Privacy Policy Disclaimer Glossary Sitemap Contact.
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