Balustrading for retail environments

Whilst you may not have balustrading at the top of your shopping list when designing retail environments, their importance and effectiveness cannot be underestimated. The right choice of balustrades can ensure your shop is compliant with relevant legislation whilst also providing a pleasing aesthetic that communicates the messages of your brand.

Here are some of our balustrade styles that work well in retail environments…

Stair balustrades
As many shops have stairs of some description, having the correct balustrades is very important. We have three different types that are generally used: our Crystal balustrades are often used for stairs in main areas of a shop; Onyx balustrades are usually applied to customer stairs outside of the main areas; and Opal balustrades are commonly chosen for use on staff stairs.

Display guardings
Display guardings are used for applications such as window beds or plant displays. They are of simple design and construction, generally made up of a balustrade with glass infill. Lockable gates are often incorporated.

Structural glass balustrading
As well as the safety benefits that come with all our balustrading, glass balustrades can give a clean, bright appearance, perfect for use in contemporary retail design. They also allow for better visibility of products. Our Crystal balustrades are ideal for this purpose.

Bump rails
Bump rails are used at the foot of key structural elements such as walls and pillars to prevent damage from trolleys or mobility vehicles. They are often used in supermarkets or other retail environments where trolleys are used. Bump rails can be respectfully incorporated alongside other balustrade installations to ensure they complement overall design.

Steps and ramps
We appreciate that it is not always straightforward to apply balustrades to every retail environment, and this is often the case when it comes to steps and ramps in and outside of buildings. All of our systems are semi-modular, which means they are flexible enough to be fitted to and around steps and ramps.

Health & safety compliance
Probably the most important consideration when it comes to balustrading is that they are compliant with the relevant legislation. This is especially the case in retail areas used by large numbers of the public and, in particular, children. The balustrades you use must be able to withstand constant use and be effective against crowd loadings in accordance with BS 6399. All of the balustrades we provide are fully legislation compliant and have the added benefit of in-house structural testing and structural calculations by our experienced team. All of our systems are also backed by a 12-year warranty.

This is but a fraction of the balustrading products and services we provide, and we understand that there is no off-the-shelf solution to designing balustrades for retail environments. If you would like to discuss your bespoke needs with us, please contact our balustrade licensed partner Regal Balustrades.