Black aluminium balustrade with a double gate configuration installed on composite decking

Black aluminium balustrade along a stone patio edge in natural sunlight

Black aluminium balustrade running down stone garden steps and continuing along a level patio, with angled stair rails meeting a shared corner post

Black aluminium balustrade around a small raised decking patio

Aluminium balustrade system installed on outdoor decking, providing a durable and low-maintenance safety solution

Close-up of a black aluminium balustrade rail meeting the post with a powder-coated end cap

Close-up of the black aluminium post base plate cover fitted at the foot of a balustrade post

Close-up of the evenly spaced vertical pickets on a black aluminium balustrade

Close-up of a black aluminium stair bracket fixing the handrail to a balustrade post

Black aluminium balustrade gate fitted between two railing runs, shown straight on

Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

Key Features

- Complete aluminium balustrade kit — you choose the parts.

- From around £135 per linear metre, with posts, rails, pickets and assembly fixings.

- Calculator works out your full parts list from your measurements.

- Fits decking, patios, steps and stairs.

- Black powder-coated aluminium — rust-free and low-maintenance.

- Load tested to the domestic (Category A) barrier loads in BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1.

SKU: ALU-KIT-BYO

Availability: Many In Stock

See how it goes together before you buy. A step-by-step animation of the full railing kit installation — most customers finish in a day.

Watch: Installing the railing kit (4:56)

Stairs and gate install videos

Balustrade calculator

Tell us your measurements and we'll work out exactly what you need, then add it all to your basket in one click.

Measurement unit

Gates

Each gate is a complete unit (about 1168 mm wide) that hangs between two posts.

A gate is its own self-contained unit, with its own frame, hinges and latch, that hangs between two posts. Allow roughly 1190 mm in your run for each gate opening (the gate plus a little clearance each side). Add your runs as normal, then add the number of gates you need here. We'll confirm your exact layout with you after you order, to make sure everything fits perfectly.

Get a Free Quote

Measure each run outside-to-outside (the full length of the edge you want to rail), in your chosen unit, and the calculator works out the posts, rails and brackets you need for even spacing. Quantities are an estimate — we recommend confirming before ordering large jobs, and non-90° angles or custom layouts are best checked via our quote form. Bays are worked out from the real post pitch and rails are cut down for even post spacing. On short runs and tight returns the calculator automatically reuses a rail off-cut where one is long enough (one off-cut per rail), saving a rail kit and adding one fixed-bracket set and one rail-cover set instead — keep all off-cuts until the whole job is finished. Inside a section, runs join at corners and share a post; a separate section starts a new stretch. Stair runs add a bracket pack and a spacer pack per rail. Gates are added as complete units and don't change your rail or post counts — we'll confirm the exact gate layout with you after ordering.

Secure checkout — pay your way

Delivery: £60 to most of mainland UK — free on orders over £2,000. Usually delivered in 3–7 working days. Exact cost confirmed at checkout by postcode.
Full delivery & returns details →

Load tested to BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1

Domestic (Category A) barrier loads — suitable for barriers in and around single-family homes

Need some help?

Call 01282 526 428

info@theoutdoorlook.co.uk

Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

£246.41inc VAT

Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

£246.41inc VAT

Useful Documents

Load Test Summary Report (TOL-LTS-001)BS 6180:2011 domestic (Category A) load test results, level and stair runsPDF View Load Test Summary Report (TOL-LTS-001) (opens in a new tab)
Compliance & Load Data Sheet (TOL-ALU-BAL)Specification, BS 6180 domestic load results and installation conditionsPDF View Compliance & Load Data Sheet (TOL-ALU-BAL) (opens in a new tab)
CAD Drawings – Aluminium Balustrade SystemFull dimensioned drawings: rail kit, post, swivel and stair bracketsPDF View CAD Drawings – Aluminium Balustrade System (opens in a new tab)
CAD Drawing – Aluminium Balustrade GatePDF View CAD Drawing – Aluminium Balustrade Gate (opens in a new tab)

Description

Our aluminium balustrade kit lets you build a complete outdoor balustrade to your own measurements — exactly the posts, rails, brackets, spacers and end caps your project needs, with an optional matching aluminium gate for access or safety. From around £135 per linear metre, complete with assembly fixings.

The system suits almost any solid, flat surface: timber or composite decking, concrete patios, steps and raised garden areas. It's fully stair-compatible using our dedicated stair brackets, so you can run the same clean look from your deck down a flight of steps. Whether you're guarding a set of steps, enclosing a patio, or fitting a balustrade for decking, the kit adapts to straight runs, corners and stairs.

Made from durable, powder-coated aluminium, every part is rust-free and built to handle UK weather all year round — a low-maintenance metal balustrade that keeps its finish without the upkeep of timber or steel.

The system has been load tested to the domestic (Category A) barrier loads in BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1, on level runs and 35° stairs at the full 1,829mm span. It passed the 0.36 kN/m line load at the top of the barrier, the 0.5 kN/m² infill load and the 0.25 kN point load, all within the 25mm deflection limit, and its ultimate failure load was more than 9 times the domestic design load. It is for domestic decking, patios, steps and stairs. The full load test report (TOL-LTS-001) is available to download. For the full specification and installation conditions, see our Aluminium Balustrade Compliance & Load Data page.

Not sure what you need? Use the balustrade calculator above — enter your measurements and it works out every post, rail and bracket for your exact layout, then adds the complete balustrade kit to your basket in one click. No guesswork, no over-ordering. If you'd rather we checked your measurements first, or your layout has angled corners, send us a quote request and we'll price it up for you.

Everything in one place, with fast UK delivery and expert support from The Outdoor Look.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Material	Aluminium Alloy 6005
Colour	Black (RAL 9017)
Finish	Powder Coated
Height	1100mm
Width (Rail)	1829mm
Weight (Rail)	6kg
Fixing Method	Level Ground

What’s Included

The list below is the contents of one rail kit. Your order is built from the measurements you enter, so the number of rail kits, posts and accessories matches your own run — the full breakdown appears in Your parts list before you add anything to your basket.

Top Rail	1
Bottom Rail	1
Vinyl Inserts	2
Pickets	15
Spacers	16
Fixed Brackets	4
1.25" Stainless Steel Screws	8
0.75" Stainless Steel Screws	8
Bottom Rail Support	1
Rail End Covers	4

Added to your order by the calculator

Posts — supplied separately from the rail kits. The quantity is worked out from your run lengths, and corner posts are shared between runs so you aren’t charged twice. Each post comes with its base plate cover and post cap, so you won't see those listed separately.
Stair bracket pack and spacer pack — added per rail on any run you set to stairs.
Gates — each gate is a complete unit with its own frame, pickets, hinges and latch.

Not included

Ground and wall fixings are not supplied. The correct fixing depends on what you’re fixing into, so these are bought separately. For most installations we’d suggest M10 × 80mm bolts, four per post — a recommendation, not a specification for every surface. If you’re unsure what suits yours, speak to your builder or call us on 01282 526428.

Installation Guide

Watch: Installing the railing kit (4:56)
Watch: Fitting the balustrade on stairs (2:42)
Watch: Installing the gate (1:54)

FAQs

Our aluminium balustrade is designed in line with BS 6180:2011, the British Standard for barriers in and around buildings. Installed correctly, it gives a finished guarding height of 1100mm with picket spacing of 96.5mm — within the requirement that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through. As compliance also depends on correct installation for your specific setting, we'd always recommend confirming the requirements for your project, and checking with your builder or building control for anything safety-critical.
This system can be installed on many common outdoor surfaces, including:
- Timber decking (with structural joists)
- Composite decking (with proper blocking)
- Concrete pads or slabs
- Porcelain or stone tiles
- Brick or masonry (with suitable wall plugs/anchors)
- Steel frames or substructures
Important: Always ensure the posts are fixed into solid structural material beneath the surface layer.
The maximum spacing between posts is 1829mm (6ft) clear between post faces. This is the longest span your aluminium rail is designed to support, so runs longer than that need additional posts along them.
You can space posts closer together than the maximum, and cut the rails down to suit — always cut equal amounts from both ends so the picket spacing stays balanced.
Yes. Use a hacksaw or metal-cutting saw. Cut both ends evenly to keep the picket spacing symmetrical. Always measure carefully and wear protective gear when cutting.
Aluminium balustrade posts are bought separately so you only pay for the number your layout needs — the calculator works that out for you.

The Rail Kit includes:
- Top and bottom rails (with vinyl inserts)
- Pickets
- Spacers
- Brackets (top and bottom)
- Rail support foot
Stainless steel screws and fixings
Yes. You’ll need our aluminium balustrade stair brackets, which are sold separately.

This allows the rails to be installed at an angle to follow your stair pitch.
Yes — if you're installing at angles other than 90°, you'll need Swivel Brackets.
These brackets allow the rails to pivot horizontally, ideal for irregular shapes or custom deck layouts.
Yes — we offer a matching aluminium balustrade gate, which includes:
- Adjustable gate frame
- Hinges and latch
- Pickets and rails that match your balustrade system
Yes — we accept returns of unused items in their original packaging within 28 days.
Please contact us before returning to confirm eligibility and process.
The easiest way is to use the balustrade calculator on this page. Enter your measurements and it works out exactly how many posts, rail kits, brackets, spacers and gates you need for your layout — including corners and stairs — then adds the complete kit to your basket in one click. No guesswork and no over-ordering.
If your project has angled (non-90°) corners, or you'd like us to check your measurements first, we're happy to help:
- Fill out our Quote Form at www.theoutdoorlook.co.uk/quote-form
- Or email us at info@theoutdoorlook.co.uk
Yes. This aluminium balustrade is well suited to balconies, terraces and raised patios, as well as decking and ground-level edges. The posts fix down to any solid, structural surface — concrete, tiled balconies, decking with proper joists, or masonry with suitable anchors — giving a secure, modern metal balustrade around your balcony. As with any installation, make sure the posts are fixed into solid structural material beneath the surface layer.
Yes — it's one of our most popular uses. This metal balustrade for decking fixes securely to both timber decking (into the structural joists) and composite decking (with proper blocking behind the fixing points). It gives a clean, low-maintenance finish that won't rot, rust or need repainting like timber, and it follows straight runs, 90° corners and stairs. Use the calculator on this page to work out exactly what your deck needs.
It depends on your priorities, but aluminium offers a strong all-round balance for outdoor use. Compared with timber, it won't rot, warp or need regular repainting. Compared with steel, it's lighter, won't rust, and is easier to handle and cut on site — while still being strong and powder-coated for a durable finish. For a low-maintenance outdoor balustrade that keeps its look year after year in UK weather, aluminium is a popular choice for patios, balconies and decking.
Yes. The system is made from powder-coated aluminium, so it's rust-free and built for year-round UK outdoor use. Maintenance is minimal: rinse it down twice a year with warm soapy water, check and re-tighten screws or fixings occasionally, and in coastal areas rinse monthly to remove salt build-up. Avoid using pressure washers or harsh chemicals.
Yes — the system is designed to be DIY-friendly and comes flat-packed ready to assemble, with the stainless steel screws and fixings needed to put the rails together included. Ground and wall fixings aren't supplied, as the right fixing depends on the surface you're fixing into.
You'll need basic tools and a metal-cutting saw if rails need trimming, and each post fixes to a solid structural surface. If you'd like a hand planning your layout, use the calculator above or contact our team.
A complete kit is built from posts, rail kits, brackets and spacers, plus end covers and any gates you need.
The rail kit contains the top and bottom rails with vinyl inserts, pickets, spacers, top and bottom brackets, a rail support foot and stainless steel assembly screws. Posts are bought separately so you only pay for the number your layout needs — the calculator works that out for you.
Ground and wall fixings aren't included, as the correct fixing depends on the surface you're fixing into.
Yes — the aluminium balustrade kit is a deck railing kit. It fits straight onto timber or composite decking, fixing into the structural joists beneath, and the calculator works out how many posts, rails and brackets your deck edge needs.
It handles straight runs, corners, and steps down to the garden using stair brackets.

Delivery Calculator

Enter your postcode to calculate delivery.

Compliance

Safety & compliance

Our aluminium balustrade has been load tested to the domestic (Category A) barrier loads in BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1, for decking, patios, steps and stairs.

Load tested to domestic (Category A) loads — to the barrier loads in BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1, on level runs and 35° stairs at the full 1,829 mm span
Passed every domestic load — 0.36 kN/m line load at the top of the barrier, 0.5 kN/m² infill load and 0.25 kN point load, all within the 25 mm deflection limit
More than 9× the domestic design load — the ultimate failure load in every configuration tested
1100 mm guarding height — with pickets at 96.5 mm, so a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through
1,000 hours salt spray — the black powder coating (RAL 9017) on aluminium alloy 6005-T6 passed 1,000 hours of neutral salt spray testing (ASTM B117)
Maximum clear span 1,829 mm — measured between post faces, not post centres. Additional posts are added along longer runs

View full compliance & load data

Has the balustrade been load tested?

Yes. It has been load tested to the domestic (Category A) barrier loads in BS 6180:2011 and PD 6688-1-1, on level runs and 35° stairs at the full 1,829 mm span. It passed the 0.36 kN/m line load at the top of the barrier, the 0.5 kN/m² infill load and the 0.25 kN point load, all within the 25 mm deflection limit, and its ultimate failure load was more than 9 times the domestic design load. The full load test report (TOL-LTS-001) is available to download (PDF).

Where can I use this balustrade?

Domestic decking, patios, steps and stairs. Whether a particular installation complies also depends on it being assembled correctly and fixed to a suitable structural surface.

How high is the balustrade, and is the gap child-safe?

The finished guarding height is 1100 mm, and pickets are spaced at 96.5 mm so a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through.

Is it suitable for coastal locations?

Yes. The aluminium will not rust, and the powder coating passed 1,000 hours of neutral salt spray testing (ASTM B117). In coastal areas, rinse it down roughly once a month to remove salt build-up.

How far apart can the posts be?

The maximum clear span is 1,829 mm, measured between post faces rather than post centres. Runs longer than that need additional posts along them.

For domestic decking, patios, steps and stairs. The full load test report (TOL-LTS-001) is available to download. As with any balustrade, the finished installation also depends on correct assembly and fixing to a suitable structural surface.

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

Nationwide Delivery

28 Days Returns

5 stars: 14 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.

A Great product, price and service from this company. We needed a flexible method of balastrading our new decking.
The web site and on line calculating tool was easy to navigate and use.
Each component was well packaged.
Instruction video on their website was very helpful along with instructions supplied with the units. If you diy, you will be comfortable with ability, assembly and fitting.
Delivery was super quick.
I used a mitre block and hacksaw for square cuts. Packers are supplied to ensure post are vertical. Materials are all aluminium so no rusting. M10 posts bolts will need to be purchased seperately.
We have no hesitation to return as a customer and pass on our recomendation.

Thanks for such a thorough review — that's genuinely useful for anyone weighing up whether to take it on themselves. Pleased the calculator and the video did their job, and good to hear the packaging and delivery held up too. You're right that the post bolts aren't included in the kit — that's down to fixings varying by what you're fixing into, so we leave that to the customer and their surface. Sounds like a proper job on the decking, and we'd be glad to see you back.

- Brett

Great service from start to finish. Simple to install and if you look at the online help video it makes easy. Brett was so helpful. I would recommend this company to my friends.

Thanks very much — it means a lot to read that, especially the recommendation. Good shout on the help video too; it's there for exactly this reason and more people should watch it before they start. Glad I could help along the way, and enjoy the finished job.

— Brett

Looks really good and great value

Thanks for taking the time to leave this. Getting a finish that looks the part without paying bespoke prices for it is exactly what the kits are built for, so it's good to hear it's landed that way for you.

— Brett

Love the balustrade, very well made. No rough edges, lovely black powder coated finish with smart trim finishings.
Solid production throughout and looks very sleek on our new split level garden. Mounted it onto a stone supporting wall using threaded bolts set in resin, very strong installation giving reassurance between the two levels.
Well packaged, great communication from the supplier and delivered by a very friendly driver using their own vehicle. Professional family owned company offering perfect service throughout.

Thank you so much for this — and for taking the time to add the video, which really shows the finish off. The split-level garden looks fantastic, and it sounds like you've done a proper job of the installation onto the stone wall. Really pleased the powder coating and trim details hit the mark too — that's the stuff we fuss over. And thank you for the kind words about the service and delivery; as a family-run company that means a great deal to us. Enjoy the garden! — Brett

Good customer service and great looking product. For DIY enthusiasts a chopsaw is a must and take time to ensure the rail brackets are fitted to the post centrally.

Thanks Steve, much appreciated — glad you're pleased with the product and the service. And those are genuinely useful pointers for anyone reading before their own install: a decent chopsaw with a metal-cutting blade makes trimming the rails far easier, and taking the time to centre the brackets on the posts is exactly the kind of care that gets the clean finish. Thanks for taking the time to share it. — Brett

WOW what a great company to deal with ! From start to finish it have been impressed. Needing a powered coated balustrade i originally went to bespoke manufacturers and was shocked by the price and installation costs. I then researched online DIY and self installation kits and found The Outdoor Look. Communication was outstanding with 1 to 1 feedback on my measurements, help and instructions on installation. The quality of the products are first class and I personally found installation so easy, you just need to read instructions and take your time . Before long the balustrade is up and at a fraction of the cost of bespoke fabrication. Thank you so much for your product, help and service i could not be happier !

Thank you so much for this — what a review! You've described exactly what we set out to do: give people a way to get a proper powder-coated balustrade without the bespoke fabrication price tag, with real help along the way rather than just a box in the post. Really pleased the measurement checks and instructions did their job, and the finished photos look superb. Enjoy it — and thanks again for taking the time, it genuinely means a lot. — Brett

Brett offers brilliant customer service.
Delivery was early.
Product is excellent, but FULL assembly. Didn't see that on the web site BUT it makes life easier.

Saved myself £4k over supply/ installed balustrades, and only took me ONE day.

Hi Alex, thank you for taking the time to leave this — and for the photos, the terrace looks superb. Saving £4k against a supply-and-install quote and finishing in a day is exactly what the system is designed for, so it's brilliant to hear it worked out that way. And that's a fair point on the assembly — the kit does come as parts to put together (it's how we keep it DIY-friendly and the price down), and we'll make that clearer on the website. Thanks again for choosing us. — Brett

Really nice product with a very smart and professional finish. Would use again and recommend.

Absolutely chuffed to bits with this product, we were quoted double the cost for what we wanted by another firm. I can’t speak more highly regarding the customer services. They ensured I had the correct measurements, worked with me regarding the area I wanted covering, making suggestions to keep the bill a little cheaper. There was a quick turnaround in delivery too. I’m absolutely impressed from start to finish. You don’t get businesses giving this level of service these days.

Thanks so much for this — really glad you're chuffed with it. Coming in at half what you'd been quoted elsewhere is exactly what the system is designed for, and helping you get the layout right while keeping the bill down is the part of the job I enjoy most. Good to hear the delivery was quick too. Thanks for taking the time, it genuinely means a lot.

— Brett

Well built, easy to install, all the bits you need in a single delivery. As a DIY'er I found this kit and installed it on a deck for my daughter. She was over the moon with the quality of the goods and the finish we achieved. Having everything in one delivery saved me the trouble of having to work out how many of each bit I needed. Great purchase.

Thanks for this — really pleased it went well. That's exactly why the kit comes as one delivery with everything counted for you; working out how many of each part you need is the bit most people dread, so it's good to hear it took the guesswork out. And a deck built for your daughter that she's over the moon with is about the best result there is. Thanks for choosing us.

— Brett

Brett provided amazing customer service and super happy with the railing and how it looks- it suits my steels doors and it’s just the perfect combo

Thank you so much for the kind words! It's great to hear the balustrade complements your steel doors — that combination always looks fantastic. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Enjoy the new look!

Rated 5 stars — no written comment left by the customer.

Why Choose Us?

1-to-1 Measurement Support

Designed for UK Homes

DIY-Friendly Installation

Fast UK Delivery

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Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

Key Features

Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

Build Your Own - Aluminium balustrade system full kit

Useful Documents

Description

Specifications