Types of Metal Railings: Choosing the right style for your space

With a range of styles available, choosing the right style for your space can be difficult, weighing up the different types, functions and visual appearance.

In this blog post, we’ll go through the styles; bow top, vertical bar, ball top and flat top, and help determine which would be the best type for your project.

Bow Top Railings: Timeless Style with a Twist

Bow top railings, also known as hoop top railings are characterised by their curved design, adding a touch of classic style to any project.

Offering a permanent outdoor solution, these railings are not only visually pleasing but also provide a safe and secure barrier, making them suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

At First Fence our bow top railings are galvanised and powder coated to a RAL colour of your choice, enabling them to blend into your surroundings perfectly, while providing that robust railing system you required, with the additional resilience of high quality manufacturing.

Vertical Bar Railings: Simple and Functional

Vertical bar railings consist of vertical bars that are evenly spaced along the railing, offering a clean and straightforward design.

They are an extremely versatile style, and blend perfectly with a range of architectural styles, making them a popular choice for a range of outdoor settings. Due to their design they are also difficult to damage or vandalise providing a good level of security for industrial and commercial estates.

At First Fence our vertical top rails are fabricated from a flat plane before being manufactured into a round hollow bar. Available with dig-in or bolt-down posts, they are suitable for a range of spaces. Standard vertical bar railings consist of solid railing bars that are welded to the bottom bar, and can be powder coated to a range of colours, including custom colours on request.

Ball Top Railings: Classic with a hint of playfulness

Ball top railings are similar to vertical bar railings, with the addition of circular steel balls welded to the top of each bar. The evenly spaced bars provide a clean and straightforward design that integrates with a range of styles.

The aesthetic of these railings makes them a popular choice in residential areas, and their safe design makes them ideal for public spaces, schools and other areas where children or members of the public are present.

First Fence railings are protected against a range of weather conditions and other environmental factors due to the way they are manufactured. As they are first galvanised and then powder coated, they offer a greater level of durability in outdoor areas requiring a low to medium level of security.

Flat Top Railings: Modern Simplicity

Flat top railings are characterised by their clean and minimalistic design, making them a popular choice for contemporary spaces. They are also referred to as flat handrails or flat bar railings.

They feature a horizontal top rail that provides a smooth and modern look, while considering the necessary safety standards, making them ideal for use in urban settings.

Choose First Fence flat top railings for a durable, flexible solution for a range of places; from parks and gardens to school playgrounds. Available with dig-in or bolt down posts, on these galvanised, robust railings.

First Fence has recently launched these flat top railings, with a matching gate to go with them, to go alongside our current range of railing and gate systems – you can learn more here.

Which type of Railing is best?

Choosing the best railing type for your space depends on a range of factors, including their use, the overall design of your project, and the maintenance that they might require can help you make an informed decision.

Aesthetic Preferences

• Assess the architectural style of your space and choose a railing style that complements the overall design of the project.
• What is your personal preference? Which railing style do you prefer, as it’s your project after all.

Versatility

• Consider how well the railing type adapts to different settings, whether residential or commercial or somewhere that needs safety to be considered e.g. schools.

Maintenance and Durability

• Evaluate the maintenance requirements of the different railing types. Although First Fence railings are galvanised and powder coated to add extra resilience and prevent environmental factors such as rust. The railings will still need to be inspected to ensure that they are providing the safety and security required.

The Project itself

• Where will the railings be located? Choose the style that best suits the application and surroundings. This could be based off personal preference or a safety requirement of the building / premises.

By carefully considering the styles, and the factors, you can determine the best railing type for your space, that can enhance the aesthetics and security of your project. Whether you opt for our bow top, vertical bar, ball top or flat top, your choice will provide that extra style and finish to your project.