Balustrades and Things

 The KATLA word for today was birai meaning ledge or bullustrade. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

The word is not in my Indonesian-English dictionary but Google Translate renders it as "ledge" and bab.la renders it as "balustrade". This got me thinking about what exactly was a balustrade. I had a fuzzy notion and thought I'd investigate further. The diagram shown in Figure 2 was helpful.

Figure 2: source

This site is useful in explaining the difference between a handrail and a bulustrade.

What is a balustrade? 

A balustrade is made up of numerous vertical posts or a solid section which sits at the side of the stair treads. The balustrade on your stairs will be found under the handrail and its main purpose is for safety to stop people from falling over the side of a stair or ramp. Many materials are now used to form the balustrade including metal, wood or glass.

What is a handrail? 

Stair handrail is the term used to describe the railing that runs along the staircase. This is the rail, which can be held with your hand, it is the section that acts as a support or guide. There are requirements for handrails which dictate the height, materials and colours used to ensure good visibility and safety.

Figure 3 shows another type of balustrade and introduces the terms "banister" and "spindle". 

Figure 3: source

By way of explanation, the site offers the following explanation:

Baluster

A baluster is a vertical piece between a railing and other wood or the floor that adds support and safety; a short and decorative post or pillar that supports a top rail. The term baluster actually comes from the Italian word for pomegranate flowers, balaustra, which was chosen because these architectural features sometimes mimic them. Balusters can be made of wood, iron, stone and other materials. The term baluster is interchangeable with the word spindle.

Balustrade

A balustrade is comprised of an assembled top rail, balusters or spindles and often a bottom rail, posts, post caps, and decorative finials. It is a composite made up of individual parts, such as the balusters and a railing/handrail. It can be used indoors or outdoors, for staircases and balconies, as well as decorative structures.

Banister (Bannister)

The banister is actually used as a name for a staircase baluster, although it is commonly referring to the handrail of the structure.

This site gives an overview of the different types of balustrades that includes:

• wrought iron
• aluminium
• wood
• stainless steel
• strand wire
• glass

Figure 4 shows a two part balustrade of glass and strand wire.

Figure 4: source

I think the terminology has been clarified.