The types of steel railing are easiest to sort five ways: by the job the railing does (guard, handrail, wall rail or industrial guardrail), by its infill (pickets, flat bar, mesh, glass or cable), by how it is built, by the steel and finish, and by how it mounts. A single railing is one choice from each list, for example a galvanized, top-mounted guard with square pickets and a round handrail. In Ontario, the first choice, what job the railing does, decides which Building Code rules apply, so start there before picking a style.
We cover residential stair and balcony styles in other posts. This one is the map: what each type is, where it is used, and where to read more.
Types by job: guards, handrails and guardrails
The Building Code treats two railing functions separately, and a single railing may do one or both:
| Type | What it does | Typical locations |
|---|---|---|
| Guard | Stops people falling off an edge | Balconies, decks, landings, open sides of stairs, mezzanines |
| Handrail | Gives a hand-hold while going up or down | Stairs and ramps, on one or both sides |
| Wall rail | A handrail mounted on brackets to a wall | Enclosed stairs, corridors with ramps |
| Industrial guardrail | Guard with top rail, mid rail and toe board | Platforms, mezzanines, loading docks, plant walkways |
| Stair rail (combined) | Guard on the open side of a stair with the handrail as its top member or mounted to it | Open-sided house and commercial stairs |
Guards have heights, openings, anti-climb rules and loads set by the code. The general minimum height is 1,070 mm, with 900 mm allowed in some residential locations; our post on Ontario Building Code guard and handrail rules has the full table.
Handrails have their own rules for height, graspability and wall clearance. A wide flat bar makes a good-looking guard top but a poor handrail, which is why many steel railings carry a separate round rail where people actually hold.
Industrial guardrails answer to both the Building Code and, in workplaces, Ontario's Industrial Establishments regulation (Reg. 851), which calls for a top rail, a mid rail and a toe board where objects could fall onto workers below. Simple pipe or HSS rails with a flat bar toe plate are the norm, and where the two rule sets differ, the stricter one governs.
Types by infill
The infill is what most people mean when they talk about the style of a steel railing.
- Vertical pickets (balusters). Round, square or twisted bar welded between a top and bottom rail. This is the classic balustrade and the easiest way to meet the opening and anti-climb rules.
- Flat bar pickets. Flat bar set edge-on for a lighter, modern line. Spacing has to stop a 100 mm sphere even when bars are pushed apart.
- Mesh, perforated or laser-cut panels. Welded wire, expanded metal, perforated sheet or decorative cut plate in a steel frame. Good for privacy and for keeping small children and pets in; panels add wind load to the posts outside.
- Glass infill. Safety glass between steel posts, under a steel or wood cap. See steel railings with glass.
- Cable and horizontal bar. Popular in catalogues, but on required guards in houses the code says nothing between 140 mm and 900 mm above the walking surface may make the guard easier to climb. Horizontal infill in that zone generally doesn't pass. It can work on handrails and in places where a guard isn't required.
- Ornamental. Scrolls, collars, finials and forged-look pieces in mild steel. The look of wrought iron, built from steel bar; openings still have to meet the same rules.
For how these infills perform on balconies and decks outdoors, see steel railings for balconies, decks and terraces.
Types by construction
How a railing is built affects its cost, its finish and how it is installed.
- Fully welded sections. Posts, rails and infill welded into panels or full runs in the shop. Clean joints, strong, and ready to galvanize or powder coat in one piece. Panel size is limited by what fits the galvanizing kettle, the truck and the site access.
- Post and panel. Posts installed first, then infill panels bolted or welded between them on site. Easier to adjust on uneven surfaces and to replace a damaged panel later.
- Pipe and fitting. Steel pipe joined with slip-on or bolted fittings instead of welds. Common for industrial guardrails and quick installs; less refined for homes.
- Component systems. Pre-made posts, brackets and infill from a catalogue, cut to length. Faster for straight runs, more limited for stairs and odd angles.
Custom stairs and curved or angled runs usually go fully welded or post and panel, because the rails have to follow the stair line exactly. Our post on how metal handrails are installed shows how each type goes in on site.
Types by material and finish
| Material and finish | Where it suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild steel, primed and painted | Interior railings | Lowest first cost; needs repainting where it gets wear |
| Mild steel, powder coated | Interior, and exterior over galvanizing | Hard, even colour; exterior steel should be galvanized first |
| Mild steel, hot-dip galvanized | Exterior, industrial, wet areas | Zinc protects the steel inside and out; can be painted over |
| Stainless steel (Type 304) | Interior and sheltered exterior | Brushed or polished look; no coating to maintain |
| Stainless steel (Type 316) | Near salt, pools and the waterfront | Better resistance to chlorides than 304 |
| Steel with wood cap | Interior stairs and decks | Warmer to the touch; wood needs care outdoors |
Ontario winters and road salt are hard on bare steel, so the finish matters as much as the type. For the trade-offs between grades and coatings, see stainless vs mild steel railings.
Types by mounting
The mounting is the least visible choice and often the most important, because a guard is only as strong as its anchorage.
- Top mount (surface mount). Posts with welded base plates anchored to the top of a slab, deck or stair. The most common detail; it needs enough edge distance and a slab thick enough for the anchors.
- Side mount (fascia mount). Posts bolted to the edge of the slab, stringer or rim beam. Keeps the walking surface clear and suits narrow balconies and steel stair stringers.
- Core drilled or embedded. Posts set into holes cored in concrete and grouted, or cast in. A clean look with no base plate, but the concrete edge has to be thick and strong enough.
- Welded to steel. On steel stairs and platforms, posts are welded or bolted straight to the stringer or edge channel.
- Wall mounted. Handrail brackets fixed into studs, blocking, concrete or masonry.
On wood framing, the post connection to the joists and rim usually needs blocking or added framing to carry guard loads. The designer should detail it rather than leaving it to site.
Choosing a type of steel railing
A practical order of decisions:
- Job. Is it a guard, a handrail or both? That sets the height and the rules.
- Location. Interior, exterior or industrial sets the finish and often the infill.
- Infill. Pick one that meets the opening and anti-climb rules where they apply.
- Mounting. Check what the posts fasten to before settling on the look.
- Construction. Welded sections for a clean custom finish; post and panel or pipe and fitting for speed and adjustability.
Getting a steel railing made
We fabricate custom steel railings, guards and handrails with CWB certified welding and shop drawings prepared in-house, and we can prime or galvanize them to suit the location. Installation is by your installer or contractor.
Send us photos, measurements and any drawings for a free quote, or see our services for the rest of our miscellaneous steel work. Tell us the railing's job, the location, the infill you like and what the posts fasten to.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of steel railings?
By job, steel railings are guards (which stop falls), handrails (which people hold), wall rails and industrial guardrails. By infill, they are picket, flat bar, mesh or perforated panel, glass and cable or horizontal bar. They can also be sorted by construction, material and how they mount.
What is the difference between a railing and a balustrade?
Balustrade is the traditional term, more common in British usage, for a guard made of balusters (pickets) under a top rail. In Canada, the Building Code calls the protective barrier a guard and the part you hold a handrail. Railing is the everyday word for either.
Are horizontal steel railings allowed in Ontario?
On required guards in most residential locations, the 2024 Ontario Building Code says nothing between 140 mm and 900 mm above the walking surface may make the guard easier to climb, so horizontal bars or cables in that zone generally do not comply. Confirm with your designer and building department for your building type.
What type of steel is used for outdoor railings?
Mild steel railings for outdoor use are normally hot-dip galvanized, often with paint or powder coat over the zinc. Stainless steel is the other common choice, with Type 316 preferred near salt and pools because of its better resistance to chlorides.
