Upper-floor railing
The railing around the second-floor opening (a mezzanine or double-height void). It marks the edge of the living area above the floor below.
01 /Main design options
An upper-floor railing (the railing around a second-floor opening — a double-height void or mezzanine) is a critically important safety element that marks the boundary between the living area and the void above the lower floor.
- ✨ Full-glass panels. Let in maximum light and visually dissolve into the interior. Tempered or laminated glass is mounted in a concealed clamp profile or on point fixings.
- 🪵 Wooden balustrades. Great for classic and Scandinavian interiors and timber houses. Vertical balusters form a reliable visual barrier.
- 🏢 Metal posts and screens. A clean solution in loft or minimalist style. Matte black metal, laser cutting or thin vertical bars look graphic and modern.
- ⛓️ Horizontal cables (wires). Barely block the view and create a light industrial or nautical style. However, they are not very safe for children.
- 📐 Floor-to-ceiling lattice screens. Wooden or metal slats (baffles) fully enclose the opening over its full height. But their horizontal parts create extra spots that collect dust.
02 /Important technical norms and details
- Extra strength. Unlike flight handrails, people often lean their full weight on a hall railing, so the fixing of the support posts must be as rigid as possible.
- Barrier height. Per building codes, the railing on upper landings must be at least 1000–1100 mm (higher than the standard 900 mm for a flight).
- Child safety. The gap between balusters or cables must not exceed 10–12 cm. Avoid horizontal rails (the "ladder effect") that children can climb.
- Bottom kerb. Along the opening edge it is advisable to add a low rigid kerb 5–10 cm high so that dropped items (toys, phones) do not fall to the floor below.