The Components of Architectural Aluminum Railing

Stanchions

• Stanchions are vertical rods that provide support to the aluminum railing by frequently connecting directly to the railing itself. The railing may run horizontally along the top of the stanchion or hang horizontally suspended from a series of stanchions. The stanchions themselves can be made of virtually any material as long as they are firmly embedded in a base material which allows the weight of the railing to be evenly disseminated.

Panels

• Panels, whether they are visibly exposed or embedded in a wall, are another crucial component to an aluminum railing. The panels are held up by stanchions. Frequently, the weight of the railing can be partially disseminated into the panel, depending on the panel's material type. A structurally reinforced glass panel can hold the weight of a railing on its own and do away with stanchions altogether, although the panel must be cantilevered appropriately to make up for the missing support of the stanchion. In some cases, a panel made out of metal or wood is embedded in a plaster wall. The railing is attached to this panel through the plaster of the wall via connecting hardware and relies on the embedded panel for its primary support.

Connecting Hardware

• A series of small patch fittings connect the railing to the panel or the stanchions. These fittings can be engineered in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit different aesthetic standards. They generally are also made of aluminum to create a continuous material line. The fittings are welded to the railing and then slotted into the stanchion or the panel, depending on the specific configuration. The fittings themselves have little structural strength; their main purpose is to attach the railing to the stanchions and/or panels.