What is the difference between a handrail and a balustrade?

A handrail is what you hold onto as you walk up and down stairs. A balustrade is the whole edge guard, with posts, handrail and infill, that stops you falling from a balcony, a landing or the side of a staircase. A flight along a wall often needs only a handrail, while the open side of a staircase needs a full balustrade. Our exterior stair railing has a continuous handrail and infill running parallel to the steps. See which protection the stair needs.