Concrete Pavers Guide

One way to add a fancy, regal, and impressive look to your home deck or patio area is to add concrete balusters. They are usually used to line patios, walkways, driveways, decks, or any area that could use a fancy wall or divider. They can also be used to line stairs for a functionally and aesthetically pleasing handrail, one that provides great safety to you and your guests as well. The concrete is very strong, durable, and can support a variety of design options, only limited by the imagination and skill of the designer.

Designing With Concrete Balusters

In terms of design, the concrete balustrade is very flexible. Precast concrete balusters come in a variety of shapes, each of which can satisfy any taste or home design. Be sure to check out multiple samples of styles before settling on one, as some concrete balustrades will look better than others given a home’s style and design. Concrete balusters come in more colors than the standard grey, as color can be added to the concrete during the formation of the balusters. They also can be made or purchased in a variety of textures too. The height of these structures can also vary, especially if a handrail is added or not, but many can range between 29 and 42 inches.

Concrete Baluster Cost

The cost of these concrete balustrades can vary depending on the brand and type. However, most are sold in separate pieces that can be assembled on site. The price is usually around $150-$200 for each 3 foot section, though the total cost will depend on the volume of pieces purchased – the more length you want to cover, the cheaper the price you’ll pay per foot, generally, if you purchase pallets of the material. You can also purchase individual pieces as well; for instance, each baluster pin can be purchased for anywhere from $20 to $30 a piece. Top and bottom rails of various lengths, curves, and angles can be purchased depending on what you need for your design.

In addition, those who are comfortable working with concrete can make their own balusters. All that is needed is concrete mix and concrete baluster molds to make the shapes and designs that you’d like to add to your house. Check with your mason supply or home improvement stores for the selection of mold designs.

Other Baluster Options

Furthermore, other materials for the balustrade are available, most notably synthetic materials. Both concrete and synthetic balusters have their advantages and disadvantages. In general synthetic balustrades will be lighter and easier to install (and thus cheaper) than concrete, but concrete will be stronger and look better overall.

Installation of concrete balusters is also very doable for the do-it-yourselfer or homeowner, but you can also hire a contractor to do the work for you if you’d like. The procedure for installing the balusters will depend on the type of baluster to be installed as well as the surface, both the material and the level, on which it is installed. Make sure to check all relevant building codes that regulate height and extent of these rails, as there are very specific regulations for how these balusters may be designed and installed.