A balustrade, or deck railing, is the part of a deck people notice most and think about least. It has a safety job to do: stop people, and small children in particular, falling off. It also frames the view and sets the look of the deck.
We build balustrades for decks as part of a new deck, and add or replace deck railing installation on existing decks where the frame is sound. Every one is built to the Building Code's height and gap requirements.
Frameless or semi-frameless glass keeps the view completely clear, which is why it is popular on decks that look out over a view, like many in Aokautere. It costs the most and needs cleaning, but it is very low maintenance otherwise.
A timber deck railing matches a timber deck and is the most affordable option. Vertical balusters are the safe choice for families, because horizontal rails can be climbed. Wood deck railing needs staining or oiling along with the deck.
Powder-coated aluminium balustrades come in slim vertical pickets or panels, need almost no maintenance and do not rot. A good middle ground on price between timber and glass.
Stairs need a handrail that you can actually grip, at the right height, as well as protection from falling off the open sides. We build deck handrail installation as part of every set of deck stairs.
The Building Code (clause F4) requires a barrier wherever someone could fall one metre or more. That applies whether or not the deck needed a building consent.
More detail in our deck consent guide.
| Balustrade | Indicative price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Timber balustrade | $150 – $350 per lineal metre |
| Powder-coated aluminium balustrade | $300 – $550 per lineal metre |
| Frameless glass balustrade | $450 – $800 per lineal metre |
These are indicative ranges only, not a quote. They are a rough guide based on typical New Zealand deck pricing, set deliberately wide. Height off the ground, ground conditions, access, board and fixing choice, stairs, balustrade, removal of an old deck and whether consent is needed all move the final number, sometimes a long way. The only price that counts is the fixed written price we give you after measuring up on site. Prices include GST.
We recently engaged Guy from Rowdy Builders to repair a wooden fence blown over in strong winds, and construct a medium size deck at our property.
From the outset, Guy was professional, approachable, and communicated extremely well, keeping us updated on progress and ensuring we knew what to expect at each stage of the project. The quality of workmanship was outstanding.
The fence repairs were completed to a high standard, and the new deck has completely transformed our outdoor area. It is clear that Guy takes pride in his work and pays attention to detail, delivering a finished product that exceeded our expectations.
We are extremely pleased with the result and would not hesitate to recommend Guy and Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for reliable, skilled tradespeople who deliver what they promise.
We couldn’t be happier with the work from Guy at Rowdy Builders. From start to finish, he was friendly, professional and incredibly organised.
He coordinated all aspects of the work, including arranging the additional trades required, and kept us well informed throughout the entire process.
Everything was handled smoothly and professionally, and the end result was fantastic. We would highly recommend Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for quality workmanship and an stress-free experience
We recently had Guy and his ream construct a roof over the deck of our new house.
He was pleasant and punctual on the site visit and made a number of suggestions on how it could be achieved.
His quote was very reasonable and his timeline was stuck to.
We are very happy with the result and recommend him to anyone looking for a similar job.
If someone could fall one metre or more from any part of the deck, the Building Code requires a barrier. Below that it is optional.
Under F4/AS1, a residential deck balustrade is typically at least 1 metre high from the deck surface, with gaps no bigger than a 100mm sphere.
Often, yes, if the frame is sound enough to fix the posts into. We check that first. A balustrade screwed only to the boards is not strong enough.
Glass keeps the view almost completely clear. Slim aluminium pickets are the next best and cost less.
Horizontal rails can be climbed by small children, so they are generally not suitable where a barrier is required. Vertical balusters or glass are the safe options.
Free on-site quote. Fixed price in writing. Decks, fences and pergolas.
