Gorgeous Railing Designs in Steel or Iron for Your Home

By Usha Balasubramanyan- May 26, 2021

Are you looking for iron or steel railing options for your new home? We bring you the lowdown on these popular material choices for your staircase or balcony railings and tell you the pros and cons so that you can make the right decision!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Iron and Steel Railing Designs

Choosing a railing for your home interiors is now easy. Read the pros and cons of iron and steel railing below:

Wrought Iron Railing Pros

Much stronger than other common materials like wood, often used for security fences
Durable and long-lasting
Easy to maintain if painted
Elastic and malleable, it can be teased into flexible ornamental designs
No pests can damage this material
Can match different interior styles

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Wrought Iron Railings Cons

Much more expensive than other options like wooden, glass railing, and steel railings
Requires expert craftsmanship during installation
Can rust if exposed to the outdoors harsh conditions; this can be prevented if you maintain them by painting the railing.
Requires regular repainting
Very heavy material and needs to be fixed with care
Does not offer privacy

Steel Railing Pros

Stronger than other common materials like wood and glass
Durable and long-lasting
Easy to maintain as it does not rust; other forms of steel must be painted.
Looks good in modern designs that do not require much flexibility
Cannot be damaged by pests
Can match different styles of interior decor
Affordable railing options available in customised designs

Steel Railing Cons

Can easily rust if exposed to the outdoors harsh environment; this can be prevented by painting
Require regular repainting.
Steel meshes can give privacy as required

Now that you have read about the pros and cons of each material choice, here is a curated selection of the latest railing designs you can pick from and improvise upon for your own home!

Wrought Iron Railing Designs

1. Ornate Staircase Railing

Wrought iron is undoubtedly the best choice when looking for classical grandeur.

This sweeping staircase is rendered even grander by the whorls and swirls of the ornate wrought iron staircase railings.

ornate wrought iron staircase railings

2. Wrought Iron Railing for Balcony

This intricate wrought iron railing pattern provides complete transparency so that you can take in the lovely water views from this balcony.

Note how the patterns of shadows on the floor add to the charm of this waterfront scene.

wrought iron railing for balcony

3. Handcrafted Wrought Iron Wooden Railing Designs

When wrought iron is combined with woodwork that is handcrafted with care, the result is beyond exquisite.

This antique wrought iron newel post is just about as majestic as it can get.

wrought iron wooden railing designs

4. Modern Iron Railing Design for Balcony

If you’re looking to give a modern feel to your home, there is no colour combination like black and white. The black polished iron railing on this balcony makes a nice contrast to the white-themed bohemian interior.

Unlike the ornate iron railings designs discussed before, this one is straight and minimalist, a typical trait of a modern balcony railing désign.

modern iron railing design for balcony

5. Bold Staircase Grill Design

Creating a unique interior is not always about doing new things but mostly about doing them differently.

Don’t believe us? Cast a glance at this gorgeous red stair railing design.

The design uses the common iron metal for the handrail with a familiar design but gives it a unique twist with the bold choice of colour. The red matches the blue and white wooden stairs, making the railing refreshingly eye-catching.

bold staircase grill design

6. Zigzag-Shaped Iron Stair Railing Design

Not a fan of straight staircase grill design? Update the style quotient of your interiors with a zigzag-shaped iron railing.

The stone pillars complement the iron railings to form a wonderful mix of styles, and the flower motifs further add to the décor element.

The result is a chic and unique staircase railing design.

zigzag-shaped iron stair railing design

Steel Railing Designs

1. Steel and Glass Railing Design for Balcony

A combination of steel and glass creates a modern minimalistic style that is easy to fix and even easier to maintain.

The glass allows the entire expanse of the outdoor view to be seen beautifully.

steel and glass railing design for balcony

2. Modern Steel Railing Design

Stainless steel lends itself very well to modern flavours of décor.

This simple and elegant design uses straight parallel rods against a white staircase with wooden treads.

modern steel railing design

3. Industrial-Looking Modern Staircase Railing Designs

This steel staircase is powder-coated in black to create an industrial-style look and is matched by meshed treads in the same metal finish.

Characterised by clean straight lines and bare essential styling, industrial décor is durable and affordable.

steel staircase railing design

4. Curved Balcony Steel Railing Design

If you want to add a stylish twist to your house façade, go for the curved steel railing design. The curved steel railing in the image contributes to the decor of the building by making the balcony look bigger and more appealing.

Functional and minimalistic, they make an excellent modern steel railing design for balcony.

curved steel railing design

5. Steel and Glass Railing Design for the Stairs

The combination of stainless steel and glass has become quite a rage in the world of interior décor, not just for balcony railing design but also for staircase railings.

And one can clearly see why!

The glass railing design looks quite voguish, thanks to its classy appearance. The glass adds just the right amount of delicacy for an elegant-looking staircase, while the steel serves the functionality of a handrail.

Further, the glass panels are easy on the eyes and make your interior look spacious, making it a perfect staircase railing design for small apartments.

steel and glass railing design for the stairs

6. A Golden Touch For Luxurious Staircase Design

If you’re looking for a luxurious house railing design, here is the one for you.

The classic marble staircase is paired with an ornamental steel railing embellished with knuckle-like details and polished in black and gold. The handrail is thick and comfortable, with a dark finish to add just the right amount of visual weight.

What an elegant way to dress up your entryway!

luxurious house railing design

Maintaining Your Staircase and Balcony Railings

Generally, metal railings tend to last longer than concrete or wooden railing designs. However, that doesn’t mean you forego their cleaning and maintenance. Regular use and exposure to elements over time can affect their appearance.

So follow the tips below to keep your railing design fresh and new.

Clean Regularly with Mild Detergent

Dust and dirt collect on your railings over time and dull their look. So make a habit of dusting them regularly with a microfiber cloth.

If you want to deep clean, dilute mild detergent in water and wipe your railings with a cloth.

Avoid using harsh products that might scratch the bars. Make sure to dry them with a towel to avoid leaving stains.

Remove Rust

Wrought irons are susceptible to rust. Though stainless steel is less corrosive, it can also develop rust when exposed to harsh conditions.

So look out for rust on your railing and scrub them away with sandpaper or a wire brush. Then clean your balustrade and apply liquid wax to prevent water-seeping and causing rust in the future.

Repaint Periodically

Apply a fresh coat of paint to your railings every 2 to 3 years. It will renew your railing design and also stave off rust.

maintaining staircase and balcony railings

Make Your Design Choice Based on These Questions

Are you looking to match an ornamental décor style or something plain?
Do you require privacy or an unobstructed view?
Is your railing going to be exposed to the rain?
Do you want a railing that is maintenance-free, or are you open to the possibility of having to repaint the railing regularly to keep it rust-free?
What is the price point that you can afford?

If you need help or guidance, reach out to the HomeLane team. We can help you with all your interior design needs and help you make the right choice for living room designs, kitchen designs, balcony designs, and more.

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FAQs

1. Which Railing Is Best for a Home?

Stainless steel is one of the most popular choices for home railings. The premium material is strong, durable, rust-proof, easy to maintain, and gives a high-end modern look to your balcony and staircases.

You can combine steel with other materials, such as glass and wood, to create a unique steel railing design for home.

2. Which Stair Railing Is Best?

Wrought iron is a perfect choice if you want to give ornamental and intricate designs to your staircase. You can also paint them in rich colours for a grand-looking staircase.

However, they are prone to rust, so you need to coat them regularly.

A rust-proof alternative to wrought iron is stainless steel. They are an excellent choice for a sleek-looking stair railing design in modern homes.

3. How High Is a Stair Railing?

The height of the stair handrail should be between 34 to 38 inches from the nosings of the steps. Further, a minimum of 9 inches of clearing should be available between two railings.

If children are the primary users of the handrail, you should keep the maximum height to 28 inches.

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