Design and Tradition / A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied arts

by Amor Fenn

Balustrading

In a balustrading an unequal number of balusters should always be used, and not less than five in one group exclusive of the half balusters which are attached to the flanking or dividing dies. Seven and nine form very satisfactory groups, but if more than nine are necessary for the space to be filled, intermediate dies must be interposed, and these may vary from two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the principal dies.

In some cases, when a large number of balusters are to be grouped, the dies are flanked by half dies, which are less in projection than the dies themselves.

Balustrades are sometimes used above the cornice of a building, and their height should not be more than four-fifths or less than two-thirds the height of the entablature. This height would be exclusive of the plinth on which the balusters are raised. The height of the plinth is determined by the height of the building, and the projection of the cornice, as its purpose is to raise the balusters so that they may be seen from the ordinary point of view. The principal dies may be placed over columns or pilasters and should be equal in width to the upper diameters of these, though flanking half dies may be used in addition to avoid an appearance of thinness. The plinth and capping mouldings always follow the plan of the principal dies, and are carried in unbroken lines across each interval.

When the height of the balustrade does not conform to the orthodox proportions the method of determining the relative proportions is as follows:—The height is divided into seven parts; of these one part gives the height of the capping, four the baluster and two the plinth.

The mouldings in character and detail are the same as those of the pedestal, and should be in harmony with the order used.

When balustrading forms part of a stair, the height on landings should be three feet two inches. On the rake two feet ten inches from the step at a line vertical with the face of the riser. The plinth is invariably used as a string enclosing the ends of the steps and following the rake or angle in a straight line, and carried to the levels by means of curving ramps.

In interior work the bulbous shafts of balusters are often decorated with carved detail, and the mouldings also may be enriched.