Balustrades with Handrails
Balconette’s unique Hybrid® system requires few - or no - uprights
Hybrid® is a unique, aesthetic and cost-effective new category in glass balustrades with handrails design which brings to the market the advantages of two product styles in one system.
Sitting between the traditional alternatives of post-supported balustrades and high-end structural glass systems, Hybrid® provides the open views of frameless glass balustrades, but at a fraction of the cost.
Our Hybrid® balustrades fill the gap of offering a reasonably priced glass balustrade while still offering quality on an almost completely uninterrupted view. They also provide a very comfortable surface to lean on.
Balustrades with handrails: System type options
Select a style here to go straight to online configurator
Aero handrail option
The Aero handrail is unique to Balconette. Its smooth wing-shaped contour offers a broad top to comfortably support your elbows as you lean to enjoy the view. As with both our Hybrid® styles, the handrail hides brilliant engineering with superb strength and stability. Available in White, silver, royal Chrome and Bronze.
This system has a unique and stylish aerofoil-shaped handrail. It allows for 4.0m of glass without posts when fixed between walls and when posts are required, they can be up to 2.1m apart.
Configure and price your Aero balustrade here
Orbit handrail option
The Orbit handrail's circular profile looks great from all angles. From the outside it looks simple and classical - but beneath the skin Balconette's innovative Hybrid® cantilevered supports are hard at work, doing more with less. Long horizontal runs with few - if any - uprights are the result. The system lets you make the most of your view, at a fraction of the cost of structural (frameless) glass systems.
This system allows for up to 3.3m of glass without posts when it is fixed between walls. When posts are required, they can be up to 1.9m apart.
Configure and price your Orbit balustrade here
The Hybrid® system enables wide runs of glass with no, or few, vertical posts. Its ease of installation and lower cost bring the very high-end look into range for many projects for the first time. The innovative engineering design at the heart of Hybrid® uses invisible bracing within an elegant self-supporting handrail.
The Orbit Handrail
Hybrid® Orbit has an aesthetic circular handrail profile that enables spans of up to 3.3 metres without posts (when the Orbit handrail is attached to a wall or other structural element).
The Aerofoil Handrail
The Hybrid® Aerofoil system has a contemporary wing-shaped handrail. It offers uninterrupted views of up to 4 metres without posts when attached to a structural element. Where the Aerofoil system turns a corner, the postless spans can be even longer: a three-sided balustrade square can extend up to 12 metres without posts.
All handrails are made from anodised aluminium, giving excellent structural stability, and scratchresistance. They are rust-free, even in challenging coastal conditions. Stock colours are shown below. For larger orders a full range of RAL colours is available.
Thickness
Our balustrades standardly come with 10mm clear toughened glass. - other options are available.
Tints
They can be supplied with a choice of different tints: clear, green, grey, bronze and blue.
Self-Cleaning
All glass types can be supplied with the unique double sided self-cleaning glass coating. This is a nanocoating applied to both sides of your glass. It repels water and dirt, which generally just slides off the coated glass. The coating lasts from 3-10 years.
See more about our Balconano self-cleaning coating here
See details of:
Take a 3d tour of a Hybrid® balustrade installation
See the insidde and outside of this house
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Glass Balustrade Handrail Options
Choosing the right handrail for your balustrade is essential for both safety and design. Different materials and styles offer unique benefits, allowing you to match the handrail with your architectural style, maintenance preferences, and durability needs.
Stainless Steel Handrails
Stainless steel handrails are a popular choice for contemporary spaces. They offer excellent durability, corrosion resistance, and require minimal maintenance. This option works well in both indoor and outdoor environments and pairs well with glass or cable balustrade systems.
Timber Handrails
Timber handrails provide a warm, natural aesthetic that suits traditional or classic interiors. Common wood types include oak, walnut, or ash, each offering unique grain patterns and colors. Timber handrails are typically used indoors and add character and comfort to staircases and balconies.
Aluminium Handrails
Aluminium handrails are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and cost-effective. They are ideal for outdoor installations such as balconies, terraces, or decks because they withstand weather conditions while maintaining a sleek modern appearance.
Oak Handrails
Oak handrails are a high‑quality, durable timber choice known for their strength, beautiful grain, and warm natural finish. They add a timeless, elegant character to staircases and balustrades, making them popular in both traditional and modern interiors. Oak pairs well with a variety of balustrade materials, especially glass or metal, and can be finished in stains or clear coats to enhance the wood’s natural look.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Handrail for Your Balustrade
Selecting the right handrail is key to both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your balustrade system. Whether you opt for timber handrails like oak, the modern sleekness of glass, the durability of stainless steel, or the weather resistance of aluminium, each option offers unique benefits tailored to your space’s needs.
Consider factors such as:
- Style preferences (modern, traditional, or contemporary)
- Maintenance and durability requirements (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor)
- Budget and long-term investment
Ultimately, the best choice will complement your overall design vision while ensuring safety, comfort, and longevity. Take your time to evaluate your options, with the right handrail, you’ll not only enhance the functionality of your space but also elevate its overall aesthetic appeal.
FAQ
1. What is the Balconette Hybrid® Glass Balustrade System?
The Hybrid® system is an innovative glass balustrade solution with integrated handrails. It combines the aesthetic of high-end frameless glass with cost-effectiveness, requiring few or no vertical posts while providing structural support through hidden engineering within the handrails.
2. What are the two handrail style options available in the Hybrid® system?
The system offers two handrail styles:
Aerofoil: Wing-shaped design with a smooth contour and broad top surface for comfortable elbow support.
Orbit: Classical circular profile with a simple, timeless aesthetic.
Both incorporate hidden bracing and cantilevered support within the handrails.
3. What is the maximum span without posts for the Hybrid® Aerofoil system?
The Aerofoil system can support up to 4.0 meters of glass without posts when fixed between walls. Posts, if needed, can be spaced up to 2.1 meters apart. In extended three-sided corner configurations, it can span up to 12 meters without posts.
4. What is the maximum span without posts for the Hybrid® Orbit system?
The Orbit system can support up to 3.3 meters of glass without posts between walls. When posts are required, maximum spacing is 1.9 meters.
5. How does the Hybrid® system compare in cost to traditional frameless structural glass?
It is a cost-effective alternative, offering the premium look of frameless glass balustrades at a fraction of the typical cost, while still providing strong structural integrity. Pricing is customized through online configurators.
6. How can I get pricing for a Hybrid® Glass Balustrade System?
Pricing is available through online configurators for both Aerofoil and Orbit handrails. You can design a custom balustrade and receive instant personalized quotations based on your project specifications.
7. What makes the Aerofoil handrail design unique?
The Aerofoil is proprietary to Balconette, featuring a wing-shaped profile with invisible bracing inside the self-supporting handrail. It combines aesthetic elegance with engineering that allows industry-leading postless spans.
8. Is the Hybrid® system suitable for coastal or harsh weather environments?
Yes, it is suitable for coastal and harsh weather conditions, demonstrating rust resistance and structural reliability while maintaining clear, unobstructed glass views.
9. What educational resources are available to learn more about the Hybrid® system?
Balconette provides videos comparing Aerofoil and Orbit styles, demonstrations of structural safety, and an interactive 360° virtual tour of real installations for both interior and exterior applications.
10. What is the design philosophy behind the Hybrid® Orbit system?
The Orbit system follows a “do more with less” approach: a circular handrail with hidden cantilevered support offers clean lines, timeless aesthetics, and cost-effectiveness without compromising structural quality.
11. What visual content is available to help me understand the Hybrid® system?
Available visuals include side-by-side handrail comparisons, cross-section shots, installation examples, technical diagrams, before/after comparisons, and real-world application images.
12. Can I see the Hybrid® system in a real installation before purchasing?
Yes, the interactive 360° virtual tour of the East Grinstead show home showcases both interior and exterior Hybrid® installations for an immersive pre-purchase experience.
