Exterior Wrought Iron Railings for Balconies and Steps

Exterior railings have to survive the weather and still look good on the facade. We hand-forge balcony railings, terrace balustrades and railings for outside steps in traditional, manor, palace, Versace, glamour, loft, modern, hunting and oriental styles.

Our railings carry real blacksmith detail: hand-forged leaves and acanthus, rivets, studs and volutes, the most refined way to finish a scrolled bar.

Our exterior railing designs

External wrought iron balustrades made to measure

We can build a sculpture into a railing, from a soaring eagle to a fairy-tale character. More examples are among our sculpted railings, and matching designs can be forged for your driveway gate.

Our exterior railings are based on traditional blacksmithing and on individual designs matched to the architecture of the building. We make railings for balconies, terraces, front steps and outdoor galleries, each one made to measure with the proportions of the facade in mind.

Every external wrought iron balustrade is made in our workshop as an individual project. We consider the length of the spans, the rhythm of the divisions, the fixing method and the character of the building, because the railing has to work with the shape of the house, the windows and doors, the fence and the architectural detail. Depending on the project we make classic railings with rich ornament as well as simpler, geometric forms for contemporary architecture.

Wrought iron balcony railings

Balcony railings are among the most important elements of a facade. They keep people safe, but they shape the look of the whole building just as much. When we design a balcony railing we pay particular attention to the proportions of the panels and the way the pattern repeats, because not every motif works over a long run. On wider balconies the rhythm of the divisions has to be kept, and sometimes a central accent is added.

We make grand, classic balcony railings as well as quieter designs for modern elevations, and every railing is made individually for the size of the balcony, the type of wall and the fixing method, so that it is well proportioned and safe in everyday use.

Balcony railing designs

Our forged balcony railings range from light openwork panels of bars and scrolls, through classic manor and palace designs with rich ornament, to railings with a coat of arms or the owners’ initials. For oriental-style homes we draw on Far Eastern ornament, and for modern facades we propose calmer geometric patterns. Examples include the balcony railing with initials, the forged balcony railing with a crest BA89, the hand-forged balcony railing, the traditional balcony railing BA71 and the gilded oriental balcony railing BA82.

We choose the pattern so that it suits the windows, the cornices and the other ironwork on the property: the fence, the gate and the terrace railings. On balconies seen from the street, how the railing reads from a distance matters most: the rhythm of the bars, the line of the handrail and the placement of the ornaments. Up close, it is the quality of the detail that counts: neat joints, evenly forged bar ends and a careful finish.

Forged balconies, French balconies and balcony handrails

We make forged balconies to measure, from light openwork railings to richly decorated compositions with a crest or initials, designed to match the gate, the fence and the other ironwork, as in our traditional balcony railing BA49. We also make forged French balconies, fitted in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, where the ergonomics of the handrail and the right protective height are especially important, as well as simpler balcony iron handrails and barriers: light but solid and matched to the facade. Every railing is fixed in a way suited to the structure of the balcony, so it stays stable and safe for many years.

Terrace railings

Terrace railings differ from balcony railings above all in scale. A large terrace allows for more elaborate compositions and symmetrical arrangements of panels. When we design railings for a terrace we take into account how the structure is seen from the garden, how it relates to the fence and the driveway gate, and the length of the facade; on wide terraces a consistent rhythm is essential to avoid visual chaos over long runs. Timber houses and classic buildings often suit more three-dimensional, decorative forms, while modern architecture calls for simpler designs with a clear line.

We make terrace railings as long runs along the edge of the terrace and as shorter sections linking the terrace with the steps down to the garden. Because a terrace is usually visible from the garden and the entrance, its railing becomes one of the most prominent features of the house, so we match its pattern to the balcony railings and the fence, allowing for corners, posts and fixings.

Modern exterior railings

Modern exterior railings do not have to be mass-produced glass-and-aluminium panels. Our workshop also makes forged railings with a contemporary character: clean geometric lines, restrained detail and balanced proportions. They suit houses with simple forms, large windows and modern facades, while keeping the durability and strength of forged, hot-dip galvanized steel. Examples are our modern geometric railing, the light outdoor railing BWZ2 and the loft railing BA70, and each can be simplified or adapted to a particular facade.

Outdoor stair railings and handrails

We also make exterior stair railings for front steps, garden stairs and steps leading up to a terrace. Here the stability of the structure, correct fixing and the ergonomics of the handrail are key. We make complete wall-mounted railings as well as single outdoor handrails fixed directly to the facade, each adapted to the pitch of the steps and the conditions on site. Outdoor stair railings must meet safety requirements and resist the weather; the right spacing of the bars and solid workmanship directly affect everyday comfort.

For steps, landings and garden paths we also make simpler barriers than a full balustrade, with the same care for detail and steel protection, such as our external stair railing BA13 or the outdoor stair railing with baluster.

Durability and steel protection

Exterior railings need effective protection against corrosion. All our outdoor railings are hot-dip galvanized, one of the most durable ways to protect steel, and then finished to suit the project. A properly protected exterior railing keeps its looks and strength for many years, however heavily it is used and however much moisture, UV and extreme temperatures it faces. When we design balcony and terrace railings we also make sure they match the fence and the driveway gate, especially on projects that include our wrought iron fences; a shared design language gives the whole property a harmonious look.

Every exterior railing is hot-dip galvanized after forging and then painted, so it never rusts, whether it overlooks a garden in England or a coastal terrace in Florida.

Exterior railing FAQ

What height should a balcony railing be?

Building codes vary by country and state, typically 36–42 in (about 0.9–1.1 m). We design to the rules that apply at your address.

Can you make railings for outside steps?

Yes. We make stair railings and handrails for front steps and garden stairs, following the rake and curve of the steps exactly.

Can you make railings for a coastal property?

Yes. Hot-dip galvanizing under the paint protects the steel even near the sea, where salt spray quickly ruins unprotected ironwork. We also recommend a regular rinse with fresh water to keep the finish looking its best.