Few architectural elements signal craftsmanship like a well-proportioned balustrade. Whether crowning a rooftop, lining a terrace, or framing a grand stoop, cast stone and precast concrete balustrades bring classical elegance with modern durability. Here is how to specify one.
The parts of a balustrade
A balustrade system has three main parts: the balusters (vertical posts), the rail on top, and the base rail or plinth they sit on — punctuated by larger newel posts or piers at corners and ends. Proportion and spacing are what separate an elegant balustrade from an awkward one.
Baluster styles
- Single bell: a classic vase profile — the most traditional.
- Double bell: a symmetrical hourglass shape for a formal look.
- Spiral bell: a twisted profile that adds movement.
- Square: clean-lined balusters for contemporary designs.
Where balustrades work best
Balustrades suit rooftops and parapets (decorative railing that doubles as a crown), terraces and balconies, stoops and entry stairs — a hallmark of NYC brownstones — and garden walls. Cast stone versions can be color-matched to limestone facades for a seamless classical look.
Durability and engineering
Because our balustrades are dense precast concrete and cast stone, they shrug off NYC's freeze-thaw climate, and we provide engineering calculations for load-bearing and guardrail applications where required.
Specify a balustrade
See our deeper guide on precast balustrades and railings, then request a quote from Mohan's Precast.
