Custom metal railings: regulations, safety and trending designs in Barcelona and Maresme

When we talk about railings, safety always comes first. The people we care about most live in and visit our homes and, for that reason, a railing should not simply be an aesthetic element: it must provide protection, stability and peace of mind for many years.

At Solbot Ferros, we believe that a house without safety cannot truly be a home. That is why, when we manufacture and install each custom metal railing in Barcelona and Maresme, we consider both the design and the characteristics of the space, the fixing system, the materials and the final finish.

Railing regulations in Spain: what does the CTE say?

The regulations applicable to railings in Spain are mainly established by the Technical Building Code (CTE) and, specifically, by the DB-SUA Basic Document, Safety of Use and Accessibility.

Its purpose is to reduce the risk of falls and ensure that protective barriers provide an appropriate level of safety. Among other aspects, the CTE establishes requirements relating to height, resistance, openings and the design of the railings themselves.

It is important to bear in mind that the CTE establishes minimum safety requirements. However, other factors may apply to certain installations, such as local regulations, the requirements of a homeowners’ association or the specific conditions of a project prepared by an architect or qualified professional.

For this reason, when installing a new metal railing or replacing an existing one, each case should be assessed individually.

Minimum railing height

One of the aspects that raises the most questions is height.

According to the DB-SUA, protective barriers must have a minimum height of:

• 90 cm when the difference in level they protect does not exceed 6 metres.
• 110 cm when the difference in level exceeds 6 metres.

In the case of certain staircases with an opening width of less than 40 cm, the CTE provides for a minimum height of 90 cm. The method of measuring height is also defined by the regulations and, on staircases, it is measured in relation to the line of inclination defined by the vertices of the steps.

These measurements are an essential starting point for designing a safe metal railing that complies with regulations, but they are not the only aspect that needs to be considered.

Safety goes far beyond height

A railing may meet the height required by regulations and still fail to provide an adequate level of safety.

For this reason, the CTE also regulates other design aspects to minimise the risk of falls, particularly in homes where children may be present.

Among other requirements, the regulations seek to prevent configurations that facilitate climbing and limit the size of certain openings to reduce the risk of a child passing through them. Railing openings must not allow a 10 cm diameter sphere to pass through.

The CTE also establishes requirements regarding the strength and rigidity of protective barriers, which must be sufficient to withstand the horizontal loads expected according to their location.

For this reason, proper installation is just as important. A poorly installed railing can pose a serious fall risk.

Installation matters too

Safety does not depend solely on how the railing is manufactured. A good design requires proper installation.

The anchors, fixing points and condition of the structure where the railing will be installed must be assessed before fitting a metal railing. During a renovation, it is also important to check what is actually behind the cladding and adapt the fixing system to the characteristics of the substrate.

For this reason, a custom metal railing should not simply be understood as a piece manufactured in the workshop and installed on site. Measuring, design, manufacturing and installation are all part of the same process.

Is a permit required to install or replace a railing?

There is no single answer.

The need to apply for a permit or submit a prior notification depends on the municipality and the type of work involved.

Replacing a deteriorated railing while keeping the same design is not the same as altering the appearance of a façade, carrying out work on a listed building or undertaking a comprehensive renovation.

In municipalities such as Barcelona, Badalona and other towns in Maresme or Vallès, the process may vary depending on the local regulations currently in force.

Before starting any work, it is advisable to check the relevant planning regulations or seek technical advice.

An enemy of safety: corrosion

In the Mediterranean in general, and in Catalonia in particular, working with iron is part of our tradition and culture. But precisely because of this, we are very aware that, although we love living close to the sea, salt air and humidity can cause significant damage.

A rusted metal railing is not merely an aesthetic problem. Over time, corrosion can affect the material itself, welds, joints and anchors, which is why protection against rust should be considered from the outset.

Choosing the right materials, finishes and even the design itself is essential to keeping rust at bay. Si quieres saber más sobre cómo proteger una estructura metálica del salitre, te recomendamos nuestro artículo Cómo proteger estructuras metálicas en zonas costeras como el Maresme, donde explicamos con más detalle las diferentes opciones de protección y mantenimiento.

Latest trends in metal railings

A custom-designed metal railing can completely transform the appearance of a staircase, balcony, terrace or even the façade of a home.

Current trends seek to combine safety, visual lightness and personality. Simple lines and slimmer profiles are increasingly popular in contemporary homes, although traditional and decorative designs remain highly popular, especially when renovating houses and buildings with their own distinctive character.

Si lo que te interesa es fabricar una escalera, no dudes en visitar nuestro artículo Tendencias en escaleras metálicas para viviendas.

Minimalist railings

Straight lines and simple designs are one of the clearest trends.

Custom minimalist metal railings provide protection for a staircase or balcony without creating a sense of visual clutter. Clean profiles and simple compositions work particularly well in modern homes and contemporary renovations.

In these cases, every detail matters: a poorly finished weld, a change in section or an unbalanced proportion can affect the final result.

That is why the simpler a design appears, the more important it is to take care with its manufacturing.

Railings with vertical bars

Vertical bars remain one of the most widely used designs, and they do not appear to be going anywhere.

They are a versatile solution that can adapt to both a modern-style home and a more traditional building. They also allow you to vary the thickness, spacing, profile and finish to achieve completely different results.

For many projects, a custom iron railing with vertical bars offers a very interesting balance between safety, strength and aesthetics.

Geometric designs and screens

For those looking for something more original, geometric compositions and metal screens make it possible to create railings with much more personality.

Triangles, crossed lines, repetitive shapes or designs created specifically for a home turn the railing into a genuine decorative element.

These types of solutions are particularly interesting when the aim is for the metalwork to take centre stage and complement the rest of the architecture.

Traditional and decorative-style railings

Minimalist aesthetics do not mean that classic designs have been left behind.

In homes across Maresme and Barcelona, we find numerous buildings where a custom decorative iron railing can preserve or restore the original character of the façade.

In these cases, manufacturing a new railing does not simply mean copying a model. It is often necessary to study the existing shapes, proportions and ornamental details to ensure that the new element genuinely integrates into the building.

Colour and finish

The finish can make the same railing look completely different.

Matt black is one of the most widely used options today and works particularly well with contemporary, industrial and minimalist styles. Graphite and dark grey tones also work very well when a sober result is desired.

For brighter projects or those with a Mediterranean aesthetic, other colours and finishes can be considered, always taking the surroundings and the other elements of the home into account. Blue and white remain standout colours in coastal towns.

Custom design for every space

Una de las principales ventajas de trabajar con una empresa de carpintería metálica a medida en el Maresme es que no es necesario adaptar el espacio a una solución estándar.

Every balcony, staircase or terrace has different dimensions, a different structure and different needs. Custom manufacturing allows you to determine the height, dimensions, profile type, arrangement of the elements and finish to achieve a solution that genuinely fits the space.

Custom metal railings in Barcelona and Maresme

En Solbot Ferros diseñamos, fabricamos e instalamos barandillas metálicas a medida en Barcelona y el Maresme para viviendas, comunidades y otros proyectos, adaptando cada proyecto a las características del inmueble y al estilo que busca el cliente. Aquí puedes ver uno de nuestros proyectos recientes de barandilla metálica en Cabrils.

We work with iron and metal solutions adapted to each space, taking care over the manufacturing, installation and final finish.

Our workshop is located in Vilassar de Mar, and we work in different towns across Maresme, Barcelona and Vallès, producing custom metal railings ranging from simple solutions to more elaborate and personalised designs.

Especially for outdoor projects and homes close to the sea, we assess the most suitable protective solution to help reduce corrosion problems and achieve a strong and durable railing.

If you are considering installing a metal railing in Barcelona, Badalona, Vilassar de Mar, Maresme or Vallès, we can assess your project and help you define the most suitable solution.

Do you need a custom metal railing in Barcelona or Maresme?

Tell us what you need, where you want to install it and what style you are looking for. We will assess the dimensions, fixing system, material and finish to offer you a solution tailored to your needs.

Request a quote for your custom metal railing.