Flatbar & Rod / Tube Balustrades – Product Overview

Bright Balustrading offers a versatile and architecturally bold range of flatbar, rod, and tube balustrades, designed to suit a wide variety of residential, commercial, and public applications. These systems are known for their clean lines, geometric strength, and ability to provide both visual privacy and structural containment.

Whether you’re aiming for minimalist, industrial, or heritage-inspired aesthetics, our fabricated systems are customised to suit your layout and design intent — with options for vertical or horizontal infills, flat bar frames, and tubular detailing. All systems are built to comply with NCC and Australian Standards and are fabricated in a variety of profiles and materials.

Balustrade Types Offered

• Flat Bar Infills with Hollow Frame Balustrade
  A popular combination where flat vertical bars (flatbar) are welded or fixed within a rectangular hollow section (RHS or SHS) steel or aluminium frame. Offers a visually open feel with subtle texture and rhythm. Common in modern apartment balconies, voids, and stairwells.
• Flatbar Frame & Infills Balustrade
  A uniform system where both the structural frame and the infill bars are fabricated from flatbar sections. Often chosen for sculptural, minimalist designs or where symmetry and material consistency are desired. Available with edge-mounted or top-mounted options.
• Balustrades with Vertical Rod & Tube Infills
  Round or square tubular vertical rods spaced within a metal frame or between posts. Suitable for residential, aged care, and commercial staircases where fall prevention and elegance are both required. Stainless steel rod systems offer clean lines with minimal obstruction.
• Balustrades with Horizontal Infills or Custom Infills
  Includes horizontal rods, bars, or tensioned wires. Custom infills can be laser-cut panels, patterned steel, or designer aluminium. Typically used in low-rise applications where horizontal climbable elements are permitted, or where design flexibility is prioritised.

Material Options

Bright Balustrading offers these systems in a broad range of materials to suit function, finish, and environmental exposure:

• Stainless Steel (316) – Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, especially in marine or poolside environments
• Aluminium – Lightweight, corrosion-resistant and ideal for powdercoating in architectural colours
• Brass – Luxurious for high-end interiors or heritage projects; available with natural or patina finish
• Steel (galvanised or powder coated or painted) – Durable and cost-effective for commercial and multi-residential applications and school balustrade applications

Profile Options & Capabilities

We offer fabrication and bending capabilities across multiple profiles:

• Flatbar – Vertical or horizontal, commonly 6–20mm thick and 20–100mm wide, custom rolled or welded into frames
• Round Tube / Rod – Typically 10mm to 38mm diameter for vertical or horizontal bars
• Square & Rectangular Tube – For frame construction, post systems, or minimalist infills
• Custom curves – Select profiles can be rolled or segmented for stair landings, balconies, or voids

Compliance & Standards

All systems are engineered and installed in compliance with:

• NCC/BCA 2022 – Section D (balustrades and barriers for stairs, ramps, balconies, and landings)
• B1D4 – Structural adequacy of balustrades and handrails
• D3D17 to D3D22 – Accessibility and public-use considerations (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 1170.0, 1170.1, 1170.2 – Structural Design Actions
• AS1657 – Where applied to industrial walkways or access platforms
• AS1428.1:2021 – Design for Access and Mobility (for accessible stairs or ramps)
• AS/NZS 2312.2 – Durability of coatings and finishes for aluminium and steel systems

Performance

All Bright Balustrading flat bar and rod/tube systems are engineered to meet or exceed industry expectations:

• Balustrade height: Minimum 1000mm from finished floor level (or higher where required)
• Maximum opening spacing: <125mm between infill elements (to meet NCC non-climbable zone requirements)
• Structural loads:
  • 0.6kN/m for residential balustrades
  • 1.5kN/m for commercial/public-access balustrades
• Wind and lateral loading: Engineered to project specifications using AS1170.2
• Finish options: Powder Coated, polished, brushed, or patinated, depending on material
• Low maintenance and long-term durability: Especially for marine-grade stainless steel and aluminium systems

Bright Balustrading’s Flatbar and Rod/Tube Balustrade systems offer strength, style, and flexibility across a wide range of architectural applications. Whether you require bold vertical lines, subtle minimalist detailing, or fully custom infill patterns, we fabricate each system to suit your project’s layout, materials, and compliance needs — with craftsmanship and precision.