Building Regulations and balustrade heights Understanding Part K before you specify — what the regulations require and how it affects your project.
In England and Wales, balustrades on staircases and elevated areas are governed by Building Regulations Approved Document K — Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact. Part K sets out the minimum height and construction requirements for guarding wherever there is a risk of falling more than 600mm.
The minimum heights required under Part K are as follows:
| Application | Minimum guarding height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential staircase (pitch line) | 900mm | Measured vertically from the pitch line of the stair nosings |
| Residential landing and floor level | 1,100mm | At landings, mezzanines and any elevated floor area |
| Commercial staircase | 1,100mm | Applies throughout all commercial premises |
| Commercial landing and floor level | 1,100mm | Higher load rating required — typically 3.0 kN/m horizontal |
| External terrace / roof | 1,100mm | Weather-resistant fixings and finish required |
Part K also requires that balustrade infill does not provide a climbable foothold — which means horizontal rails used as infill are non-compliant in most residential applications. Vertical bar infill, glass panels and cable systems all meet this requirement. We will flag any compliance considerations during the site visit and will not install guarding that does not meet the applicable standard.
For domestic projects, Building Regulations approval is typically handled through a Building Notice or Full Plans application submitted to your local authority. For commercial projects, Part K compliance is assessed as part of the full Building Regulations process. We can advise on what your specific project requires, but recommend engaging a building inspector early on any commercial installation.
Balustrade pricing guide Guide prices to help you understand the likely range of costs before we visit.
That is the starting point for a straightforward vertical bar balustrade in mild steel with a primer and paint finish, installed on a residential staircase. The final price for your project will depend on the factors below — every job is individually quoted after a free site visit.
- Overall run length and height
- Infill type — vertical bar, cable, glass or decorative
- Material — mild steel, stainless steel or wrought iron
- Finish — primer and paint, powder coat or hot dip galvanised
- Residential or commercial load rating required
- Number of posts and fixing method
- Access conditions on site
- Whether glass panels are required
Related services Balustrades often sit alongside other metalwork on the same project — we fabricate and install everything ourselves.




