Balustrade is a term that originated from the French language, which describes a row of short columns that serve as a parapet or railing. Common uses include railings on balconies, staircases and terraces where they can take curves or a straight form. Most often they are made from concrete, wood or stone. Each single column is called a baluster, the other part of the balustrade includes the lower flange, the top flange, the handrail and the pedestals.

Balustrades are used in modern projects for decoration and are often incorporated in to gardens and houses on balconies and terraces. They are also used on external staircases in conjunction with railings to improve safety.

In the late gothic period the used of balustrades were common in the alps, and were used particularity on the exterior of churches. In later periods they are found on civil constructions in Italy and around other parts of the Mediterranean, and were used for the delineation of porches. In the renaissance and baroque periods their usage is common and functional. Still later in the nineteenth century, a variety of different materials were been used, such as iron. While modern day use of the Balustrade is generally much more focused towards safety.