Stairs & Staircases

Properties of Wire

A wire is a single string of metal, usually cylindrical. They are formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate (a hardened steel plate with one or more holes through which wire is drawn to make it thinner), and the different sizes are determined by various wire gauges. The term wire can also refer to a bundle of metal strands (i.e. a multistranded wire), though usually called a wire rope or cable.

Stranded wire (cables consisting of a bundle of small-gauge wires) are more flexible than solid wires (single-strand wires). However, solid wires tend to be mechanically rugged as it as less surface area exposed to corrosives. They are also cheaper to manufacture, so are used when little bending is required. Where flexibility is needed, stranded wires are used- and the more individual strands the more kink resistant, break resistant and flexible. The lowest number of strands is 7, then 19, 37, 49 and so on.

Wire has many applications, including stair balustrading. It has a long history, from jewellery in ancient Egypt to modern telecommunications uses.

Wire Balustrading

Stainless steel cables are a very modern form of balustrade. They can either be installed as horizontal wire balustrades or vertical wire balustrades. Wire balustrades are also often combined with timber and stainless steel handrails.

The benefits of wire balustrading include clean lines, unimpeded views from staircases and balconies, a sense of openness and a modern style. They do not need dusting, polishing, painting or cleaning. As such, wire is quite a popular material for balustrading.

Stairking’s stainless steel wire balustrades are corrosion and staining resistant, and so very low maintenance. They can design, manufacture and install balustrades in many different configurations depending on the needs of each site. Stairking’s wire balustrades are available in either #316 or #304 stainless steel (stainless steel comes in different grades depending on the combination of minerals in the alloy).