balustrades
Decorative stairway barriers
Balustrades are railings supported by a row of short decorative posts, typically found along the edge of a balcony, staircase, or terrace.
The posts themselves are balusters, and together they form a balustrade that provides both safety and ornamental interest.
The word often evokes classical or formal architecture: The marble balustrades of the palace overlooked the gardens.
Protective horizontal bars
- handrailsBars for gripping while walking
- staircasesFixed indoor climbing routes
- spindlesRotating rods for thread
- bannistersStaircase support rails
columns · terraces · parapets · verandas · porticos · galleries · landings · mezzanines
For beauty, not function
- carvedCut to create form
- turnedRotated or changed direction
- wrought ironSoft, workable decorative metal
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
filigree · lattice · fretwork · tracery · finials · acanthus · rosettes · urns
Protective edge barriers
- barriersThings blocking access
- enclosuresBounded spaces or containers
- protectiveServing to guard
- fall preventionSafeguards against losing balance
building codes · spacing · childproofing · load-bearing · structural · supports · residential · commercial
Multi-level planted hillsides
- patiosPaved outdoor living spaces
- courtyardsEnclosed open-air spaces
- gazebosFreestanding roofed garden structures
- pergolasFreestanding garden frameworks overhead
fountains · estate grounds · formal gardens · promenades · overlooks · viewpoints · retaining walls · stone walls
railings
Protective horizontal bars
- handrailsBars for gripping while walking
- staircasesFixed indoor climbing routes
- spindlesRotating rods for thread
bannisters · columns · terraces · parapets · verandas · porticos · galleries · landings · mezzanines · balconies
ornamental
For beauty, not function
- carvedCut to create form
- turnedRotated or changed direction
- wrought ironSoft, workable decorative metal
scrollwork · filigree · lattice · fretwork · tracery · finials · acanthus · rosettes · urns · classical
guardrails
Protective edge barriers
- barriersThings blocking access
- enclosuresBounded spaces or containers
- protectiveServing to guard
fall prevention · building codes · spacing · childproofing · load-bearing · structural · supports · residential · commercial · accessibility
terraced gardens
Multi-level planted hillsides
- patiosPaved outdoor living spaces
- courtyardsEnclosed open-air spaces
- gazebosFreestanding roofed garden structures
pergolas · fountains · estate grounds · formal gardens · promenades · overlooks · viewpoints · retaining walls · stone walls · boundary markers
- parksplayground, Hyde Park, Yellowstone, Grant Park, picnic table
- building featuresentrance, entrances, exits, lobby, lobbies
- building partsfacades, wall, door, windows, floor
- ornamentationornaments, ornament, ornamentation, ornamental, embellishment
- stairsstair, stairs, treads, steps, staircase
- woodworkcarving, lumber, molding, boards, wood trim