Get Creative With Bespoke Metal Fabrications

At Alpha Rail we believe versatility is essential when in the business of providing customers with high quality products. With this in mind, we offer a bespoke metal work service were we can change the design of our products to suit your needs.

From balustrades to railings and gates, at Alpha Rail we work alongside a dedicated team of engineers and architects to bring your ideas to life specifically designed to meet your requirements. No design is too big or small for us here at Alpha Rail, all you need to do is get your creative cap on and contact us with your requirements.

Bespoke metal work and fabrications are excellent for both public and private areas such as schools, parks and gardens. Your design can transform an area completely- A simple fabrication can inspire and stimulate the mind of others, plus you will be providing a focal point for others to admire.

There are many advantages to choosing a bespoke metal fabrication service, with one of the main beneficial factors being that your product will truly be unique as it would be your design, resulting in no one having the same fabrication as you.

Our goal at Alpha Rail is to deliver affordable yet exceptionally high-quality products which will last the test of time. Available to use are a wide variety of metals including stainless steel, copper, aluminium and wrought iron, as well as a wide assortment of protective finishes.

 If you have a design in mind, but you are open to suggestions then we can assist you in finding the right design for your bespoke project. You can view our bespoke designs for our previous clients on our Bespoke Fabrications webpage or for more information or to discuss your requirements please telephone us on 01623 750214.

The Importance Of Handrails

A handrail is more than a feature which can brighten up a set of stairs, it’s a safety device. Sometimes the importance of a handrail can be overlooked, it’s a specially designed device to prevent people from tumbling headlong down a flight of stairs, which can result in some very nasty injuries.

Using the stairs can become a daunting part of everyday for some individuals, that is why handrails should be put in place to make using them easier. A good handrail is strong, durable and continuous from the top to the bottom so you do not have to take your hand of the rail at any given moment.

At Alpharail we understand the importance of a good handrail, which is why we have designed a range of different rails that will provide continuous support. Our handrails can be made to be either square or round. Whether you wish your rail to be wall mounted, ground mounted or attached to our vertical bar fence products, we can manufacture a product to suit your needs.

To acquire a quote from us today, simply visit our handrail product page to fill out our ‘Get a Quote’ form, or you can give us a call on 01623 750 214.

Bollards, Arches, Barriers And Cycle Stands At Alpha Rail

Providing people with the feeling of security when it comes to their belongings and their safety is one of the main purposes of Alpha Rail. We provide a large collection of standard and bespoke designs that can enhance the feeling of safety within public and private areas.

We produce and design a range of bollards, arches, barriers and cycle stands all made from the best quality materials available, you won’t find anything better on the current market. These products are designed to be both strong and robust so investing in them means that you can be safe with the knowledge that you have brought a product that will last you a long time.

Bollards

The range of bollards that we produce are made from steel and are available in static, fold down and removable forms in both square and circular sections.

Archers

Our archers can be fabricated to suit client’s requirements, whether you have a specific design in mind or you would like your arch to be a specific colour then we can do it for you without any hassle.

Barriers

The barrier gates that we make are usually employed to restrict vehicular access to housing areas and day time car parks.  We can customise barrier gates to how you would like them to look.

Cycle Stands

We offer a large collection of different cycle stands, which come in various different shapes and sizes to suit the needs of our customers.

Our work doesn’t just focus on the materials we use but also the quality of the design, we understand the demand for good working products that are aesthetically pleasing too.

To acquire a quote from us today simply visit our website, or you can give us a call on 01623 750 214.

Churchill Railing At Alpha Rail

At Alpha Rail we aim to produce designs which optimise functional aspects along with appearance and cost considerations. That is why we have produced an excellent range of railings designed by us that have been cleverly optimised to fulfil the needs of our customers.

The Churchill is a type of railing that we have worked very hard to develop, it provides an excellent alternative to a standard vertical bar. Featuring an attractive decorative finial, plus square infill’s and posts, the Churchill is perfect for enhancing the aesthetics of any area.

We like to provide a complete service when you purchase from us, which is why we can supply railings to suit your project applications and needs. Churchill railings are perfect for a decorative feature for the tops of the perimeter of walls, as well as free- standing applications.

For more information or to get a quote from us either fill out the ‘Get a Quote’ form on our product pages on our website or feel free to calls us on 01623 750 214.

A Look at Some of the Projects Completed By Alpha Rail

The purpose behind  Alpha Rail is to create strong and robust products that still look aesthetically pleasing. That is why we are proud to show case our work from our happy customers.

We believe it is a great achievement to provide a service that fulfils the needs of our customers that is why we document the work to show you what we can do. Here are a few examples of what projects we have completed:

Speakers Corner Hyde Park

Our services were acquired to create specialist themed railings for Speakers Corner at Hyde Park. We created railings with rail heads in the shape of a megaphone to reflect the history of Speakers Corner.

Boothen Garden

We were asked to manufacture a decorative arch for a community garden in Stroke-on-Trent, which has now been given pride of place at the entrance to a regenerated garden.

This project has meant that our work has become the focal point and a gateway to a beautiful community garden that can be enjoyed by all.

We supplied the landscape contractors with the decorative arch and vertical railings that run either side of it, but we worked alongside with an architect to ensure that we fulfilled exactly what was needed of us. The design brief was to design an Art Nouveau style arch, featuring a motif that reflected the style produced at the local Minton Hollins tile factory.

Produced from mild galvanized steel we were proud to have our piece placed at the centre of this project.

St Neots

For St Neots, a school in Cambridgeshire, we worked alongside with them to provide safety and security for their school. We provided a 140M long railing system that was placed around the grounds of the school.

The 1.8M high, black powder coated railings, which we manufactured, supplied and installed by us provided the necessary safety measures due to the school being on a busy main road. The railings also included bespoke decorative features, which add an aesthetic quality to the design that subtly disguises its robust and functional purpose.

We have provided a range of services for a variety of people and companies and we are also happy to discuss any ideas that you may have when it comes to providing a service for you. For more information contact us on 01623 750 214 or visit our website.

Fencing for estates- Why it is a necessity

Estates possess a grand and luxurious air about them, this is partially due to the fact that they over shadow traditional homes and because in the ‘back garden’ you will find animals such as deer and sheep.

What is featured in many estates is estate fencing or most commonly known as park fencing which has a purpose of retaining stock and providing decoration for the grounds. This type of fencing mirrors the style of the traditional iron fencing that was used on old estates and parkland.

As well as country estates, estate rails can be found on prestigious parkland, this style of fencing is seen as a traditional and classic style of fence, but don’t let that fool you, this railing is not all about aesthetics. This modern fence is now stronger and more resilient than previous styles so you can feel comfortable that it’s not just all looks and no purpose.

Estate Railings are excellent for marking out boundaries on large areas of parkland, this is incredibly useful if an estate offers a public service as it blends in with the traditional appearance of most estates.

This type of railing is a lot more durable when compared to other styles of fencing such as wire as it’s made of steel and is susceptible to weathering. Estate railings also come with the option of including extras such as gates and a more traditional finish in order to adapt the railings to your specific need when purchasing from Alpharail.

If you purchase estate railings from us we can provide a galvanized finish or a powder coating, having a powder coating gives you the option to have your railings a different colour. This distinctive high performance railing has been tried and tested over many decades so you can rest assured that this product is durable.

At Alpharail we pride ourselves on providing a complete and excellent service, that is why we can supply and deliver your fencing to you, we can also go the extra mile and install your purchase. If you would like to order from us then complete the form at the bottom of our estate rail website page or contact us by calling us on 01623 750 214.

Electrofused Grating at Alpha Rail

At Alpha Rail our priority is to provide a range of products that satisfies your needs, is functional but is still aesthetically pleasing.

is an extremely versatile medium when it is employed in the field of architectural metalwork.

So what is Electrofused grating? It is a raw material that is strong and is formed from a combination of flat and round bars.

You can get this product in different aperture sizes which Alpha Rail can provide based on what the project in questions requires. The two most common aperture sizes are 132mm x 62m which forms a rectangular size or 62mm x 66mm which is square in size. You can also get louvred screen panels which provide a good level of security physically and visually.

Electrofused grating is a material that is ideal for the closing of structural openings such as multi storey car parks and windows. This is due to the material being strong and attractive with minimal reduction in light levels.

One main contributing factor to our products is that we want our various rails to be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. In order to assure this all products are available in a standard galvanized finish or with optional powder coated finish, this affect will introduce colour that will blend in with the local environment.

The quality of service you will receive from us is of a high quality standard and we will provide detail drawings and photographs to ensure customers know what they are investing in.

To receive a budget quotation either complete the  form here or contact out sales department to discuss specific requirements.

For more contact information you can click here.

Use of Finishes on Fencing, Gates and Rails

BS EN ISO 146 provides a specification concerning the general properties of coatings used and the standards required for the treatment of iron and steel today. These guidelines are produced by the British Standard Institute (BSI) and are essential to be followed in order to protect structures made of these materials. These coatings, also called finishes, provide maximum protection against corrosion after they have been hot dip galvanised.

Structures that often need this treatment include fencing such as bow top, chevron and flat top fences. As well as providing protection, these coatings can improve surface properties of the structure such as adhesion, wet ability, scratch resistance and wear resistance. Aesthetically these coatings can also improve the appearance of the structure using colour or texture.

Bow top fencing is regularly used for parks and children’s play areas. Often used for its security benefits and lack of sharp edges, this type of fencing comes in a variety of styles such as interlaced, bow in bow and bar in bow.  Factory applied polyester powder coated finish can be applied to this fencing, in a wide range of colours that can make the fencing match with the surroundings and be eye catching to passers-by.

Fencing has been around for thousands of years, ever since humans had possessions, land and farms we have had fencing. Ultimately they are used to keep things in or out of a particular space, marking boundaries or for privacy reasons.  Chevron and flat top fencing are popular railing systems that can be suitable for most applications. As an alternative to polyester powder coating, site applied wet painting services are available from a wide variety of companies such as Alpha Rail who offers both procedures following guidelines produced by the BSI.

Finishes can be applied to a wide range of fencing, gates and rails. It is true that fencing and railing systems ultimately need to be strong, robust and safe but that does not mean that they can’t be aesthetically pleasing.

To see designs incorporating colour and shape to communicate ideas visit Alpha Rail today! For enquiries call 01623 750 214.

Trip rail fencing

Trip Rail fencing often called knee rail prevents unwanted traffic from accessing grass areas and verges.

For the protection of grassed or planted areas trip rails protect and preserve the condition of the surrounding landscape. The rail also shows the area's boundaries and doesn't allow vehicles or bikes through its unobtrusive design.

As well as protection Alpha Rail offers trip rails that looks aesthetically pleasing and gives the finishing look to already great looking greenery.

Fabricated from circular or rectangular hollow sections, trip rails guard aesthetically and effectively. The basic concept of the trip rail can be enhanced when combined with a finial from our extensive range.

If you want to enquire about our trip rails please call 01623 750 214 or get a quote here.

Gates

At Alpha Rail we make gates designed for privacy, security of course beauty.

Gates not only distinguish the entrance and perimeter to a property but they also create a first impression to all visitors passing by. We often ask ourselves us why house owners will spend freely on the interior design in the hope of creating a good impression but totally overlook the aesthetics at the front of their house?

Today, gates and railings are a focal feature for both security and garden design. They add a feel good factor to a property, quality in the form of craftsmanship and the use of traditional techniques to recreate time-honoured designs.

If nothing else, nicely designed Gates and Railings create a first impression that can make a real statement, showing the onlooker your understanding and appreciation of quality design and craftsmanship as well as giving your home a sense of grandeur and privacy.

If you’re interested in buying a new gate, check out our great range here. 

Handrails

The vast majority of homes and business' in the UK have some form of stair or steep gradient. Whether you have a slope that leads up to your house, stairs that lead down into your cellar or stairs that lead up to the 45th floor of your business, All of these stairs and slopes need some form of safety, in this case...Handrails.

Handrails in today’s market come in a wide variety of forms. Aluminum, wood, steel, and even plastic handrails are available.

However today, by far the most popular is the traditional wrought iron handrail.

The earliest wrought iron handrails date back centuries, but they’re very different from modern ones. That’s because the definition of ‘wrought iron’ has changed these days; today wrought iron is actually a form of mild steel with low carbon content. It’s still worked by hand the way old-style wrought iron was; it’s just harder and more durable today. At Aplha Rail we are able to manufacture a diverse range of bespoke wrought iron handrails to our customer’s exacting requirements, including fantastic styling and Balustrades

Wrought iron Balustrades add even more mystique and aesthetic power to an already gorgeous handrail. More importantly, they also enforce the handrail and make it even safer for use. If you have the space, meaning your handrail isn’t already attached to a wall, a wrought iron balustrade is a perfect addition to a wrought iron handrail.

Our Handrails can be fabricated from square or round hollow section to suit customer requirements.

Check out our fantastic range!

Juliette Balconies

“Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo”

The Aptly named “Juliette Balconies” is of course famous from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The shallow balcony is designed to provide a safety barrier in front of French windows but at the same time give you a feeling of your very own home balcony.

Juliet Balconies are ideal for:

• Housing developments
• Apartments
• Three storey townhouses
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Student accommodation
• And on the rare occasion... famous romantic novels.

Due to the increasing popularity of Juliette Balconies Alpha Rail has now added four stunning new designs to our collection, These are:

The Washington, the Lincoln, the Jefferson and the Cleveland.

All of which are fully galvanized with a robust black powder coated finish.

Juliette balconies are not only required for safety but can be a thing of beauty, a fantastic contemporary alternative to the usual ranges out there. Juliette balconies are easy to fit and are extremely cost effective.

Check out our great range here:

Bow Top Fencing

Bow top fencing is a traditional iron fence design that takes its name from its distinctive rounded top.

It is also a popular way to turn a standard perimeter fence into a much more attractive feature. Designed with safety in mind this makes this type of fence ideal for use on children’s play areas, in schools and play grounds.
Along with the standard bow top railing design Alpharail offers 5 additional bow top railing designs for customers to choose from, developed to meet client requirements and taking practicality, design and cost into consideration there is a bow top design available to suit all budgets.

Interlaced Bow Top Railing
This alternative to the standard design features a more decorative, interlocking design that provides a secure boundary while remaining pleasing on the eye.

Bow Top BT302
Popular for use in parks, housing estates and along garden perimeters this style of rail fence sees the addition of a vertical bar within the standard design, reducing the width between the rails.

Bow Top BT303
This design offers further alternatives to the traditional bow top design, again there is the addition of another vertical bar but this time the bar passes through the top rail into the bow itself. This variation is particularly popular when design is important to the overall finish.


Bow Top BT304
Taking the design element of the bow top fence even further the BT304 features hollow posts that are completed with finials to add a more decorative finish. Popular in housing developments and parks simply for their stunning features, this particular design is also customisable with the use of contrasting colours.

Bow Top BT305
Designed to meet the more decorative demands of customers this design incorporates a more elegant look, the smaller bow inlayed within the standard, with the high performance requirements and security benefits this type of railing provides.

Pedestrian Guardrail – Keeping Pedestrians Safe.

Normally used along higher speed road, pedestrian guard rail is designed to keep pedestrians safe. While traditional guardrail keeps pedestrians off the road except at designated crossing points, it can often be difficult to see through and obscures small children and pets that can’t be seen through the bars. There is a solution where you can use guardrail and can see through it.

Optirail only available at Alpharail offers railings that are staggered, so while the pedestrian guardrail protects the pedestrian from the cars, the cars can see the pedestrian whatever their size. As visibility will change depending on the speed and curvature of the road, there are different spacing and setting of the panels for different speed roads. The different panels also take into account the minimum stopping distance from the end of the rail and the angle that the driver will be looking through the rail. Using optirail can improve visibility by a factor of three giving pedestrians and drivers more chance of being seen, to see and to take evasive action.

Pedestrian Guardrails also have their used on lower speed roads in town and city centres, here appearance is often more important as the railings can smarten up the appearance of pedestrian areas. Decorative posts, rings and finials that tie in with other street furniture such as bins and bollards can help to give town centres an identity that the pedestrian guardrails on the higher speed roads lack. In addition to their primary function of keeping the pedestrians safe from traffic. Optirail also has a decorative guard railings option so you can have the same safety features as the optirail in a decorative railing.

Whatever the speed of the road, it is worth getting a quote from alpharail for your pedestrian guardrail to make sure the roads are as safe as possible.

Improve the Look of your Property with Juliette Balconies

Juliette Balconies have the famous namesake of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, traditional stagings of the play have Juliet sat at her balcony with Romeo below. However the play itself makes no written description of a balcony only a window. They are not balconies in the traditional sense in that you cannot stand on them but provide protection from falls from door openings on the first and second floors.

So why would you have a Juliet Balcony instead of a window? A window has limitations on size, but with a Juliet Balcony you can have a full size door in place of a window that lets in more light and can be fully opened and stood at in summer to provide views over the surrounding landscape.


Juliet Balconies come in a range of designs; Alpharail has 8 different designs of Juliet balconies including The Portland, The Byron, The Rufford, The Bow Fronted Ruffold, The Chatsworth, The Washington, The Cleveland and The Stafford. The range incorporates modern and traditional styles in a range of finishes. The Portland and The Byron offer a plain Juliet Balcony. Whereas the Bow fronted Rufford like its name describes has a bow front that really makes it distinctive. The Cleveland is a more modern balcony with wavy lines to appeal to a sense of fun.

If you don’t see a Juliet Balcony you like we do offer a bespoke bespoke architectural metalwork service and can help you to design your own balcony to fit your own needs and design.

Why not visit Alpharail and take a look at our range of Juliet Balconies, to add character and style to your building project.

Estate Railings

Estate Railings have a classic style often associated with country parks and rural estates. The traditional fence has an ancient look but offers a modern and hardy fence. The modern fence is now stronger and more resilient than the older style of estate fencing.

Estate fencing is useful for marking boundaries on a large estate and also keeping livestock from gardens and within the grazing areas. Sometimes estate fencing can be called deer or park fencing as it was traditionally used to keep deer within estates.
Deer or estate fencing is a great alternative to wire fencing and wooden posts. Wire fencing is temporary and susceptible to damage and weathering. Whereas estate railings are more durable and will last a lot longer, look more classic and have the options of including gates to provide a more traditional finish.

Estate Railings are delivered in a galvanized finish but also have the option of being powder coated. Usually estate railings are a traditional black colour but having a powder coating, gives you a choice of different colour finishes. You may for example want a green finish if the railing borders a woodland, that will pull the fence into the environment and it will not stand out as much. However the black railings on an estate rail do tend to be a feature themselves. It is useful to have the option for different colours if they are needed.

If you order estate rail from Alpharail, you can choose to have a supply and delivery or supply and fix service and you can choose from a range of heights. This allows you to fit your own railing or take advantage of the installation service.

Keep People off the Grass with Trip Rails

We’ve all seen signs on well-kept lawns and parks outside buildings with the message “Keep off the Grass” as tempting as the grass looks to sit on or cut across a sign is asking people to respect the grass and the sign, while there is no physical deterrent it is almost a challenge to the person walking by.

Signs like “keep off the grass” are easier to enforce with the use of trip rails. Trip rails are rails that tend to be about the height of an adults knee or lower and can line either a grassed area or a planted area to help to deter people from walking on the grass or trampling a planted area. Trip rails by their nature are not a feature like a full fence and gate but such rather a rail that prevents someone from easily passing it but in itself is not really noticed. It also means passers-by can enjoy the park or area without a physical barrier to it.

Trip rails tend to have a simple design, fabricated from either circular or rectangular hollow sections, linked together through regular posts, they can be rendered in a number of colours and finials can be added to improve the look of them. The majority of them are steel trip rails as this material is suitable to withstand weathering and easily rendered in which ever covering is needed

Trip rails from Alpharail are a good idea because the rail can be designed to the area you want to use it; this means if the area you want to protect is an awkward shape or is really long, Alpharail can create a rail that is suitable for this purpose.

Finish off your Fence with Finials and Finishes

When creating a fence design, something that is often overlooked is the finial, the name given to the rail and post heads. Adding something extra to the top of the fence has the dual aspect of adding increased security to a boundary railing and adding an extra design edge to the rail.

Railing Finials vary from a single point often a similar shape to an arrowhead but they can also be rounded and have more than one point coming off them. Railing Finials can have posts finials that echo the design of the rail finials or can be something a bit different.

If you have a look at some of our more recent projects like Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, the finials there are more unusual and denote a megaphone to reflect the history of Speakers' corner. In other projects like in the Thompson Veterinary practice the finials tied the handrail to the railing by the use of a different colour; this use of colour makes the finial stand out.

In many of our projects you can see the traditional arrow shaped finial but if you haven't seen a finial you want to use Alpharail can commission a finial of your own design to give the railing a look that is unique. You could consider a bespoke finial, if you have a unique design you can use that is linked to your business, school or park like the Hyde Park megaphone.

Aside from finials, the other possible consideration for finishing your fence is the finish. All Alphrail's are hot dip galvanized using a zinc coating this helps to provide extra protection for the rails from rust.

Alpharail rails tend to be powder coated at the factory to provide a durable weather-proof finish to further protect your rail from corrosion and give an even finish. Like paint, powder coating can be in a range of colours so does not necessarily have to limit your choice alternatively the rail can be painted.

Pedestrian Guardrails for Public Safety and Security

Pedestrian guardrails help make public roads, bridges and buildings safer for pedestrians, passengers and commuters. Here at Alpharail it has been our business to ensure the safety of the public for the past 25 years. We have been providing high quality and effective pedestrian guardrails to local authorities and private contractors all over the United Kingdom.

When it comes to choosing the type of pedestrian guardrail to build and install, Alpharail can make some intelligent suggestions. It will be dependent on a few factors which will affect the size, style and material used for the rail. These include the location where the guardrail will be installed, the traffic volume in the area, and the presence of other structures such as trees and buildings.

Budget may also be a deciding factor when choosing suitable pedestrian guardrail. For those with limited funds, basic and affordable unit panel designs from Alpharail are now avalible. These have variations based on height and the distance between infill bars. On height, M1 and M2 versions are offers with M1 offering a full height and M2 with a slight gap from the bars to the base. The size of the infill bars also vary. Infill bars make guardrails more visible to drivers in public roads. The Optirail system are most visible among pedestrian guardrails and apply effective size variations with infill bars.

The unit panels measure about 1m or 2m in length. Special sizes can also be ordered such as panels with rakes and radiuses. These can be either finished with compliance to standards set by BS EN ISO 1461 : 1999 or BS 6497. The former refers to finishing fabricated iron or steel with hot dip galvanized coatings. The latter on the other hand is another option wherewith powder organic coating such as polyester is used instead.

Alpharail also offer decorative panels to add an aesthetic value to the pedestrian guardrails. Various designs are available to choose. All railings made are compliant with BD 7818 : 1995. This contains specifications for pedestrian restraint systems such as guardrails made of metal. This guideline is imposed upon all manufacturers and installers of related products and services. Alpharail pedestrian guardrails remain reliable, safe and of high quality by complying with the standards set by this specification.

External Balustrade at Alpharail

External balustrade is a beautiful accent for any exterior design. It has been used on balconies, in parks, and to assure the security of children in school yards. While many think the balustrade is ugly institutional like steel railings, it can be so much more. There are inserts and panels that can be added to the balustrade to add a touch of personality or flair to your exterior space.

Here at Alpharail our balustrade is a low maintenance product that will last for many years. Our entire balustrade range is powder coated to prevent rusting and deterioration. This also makes it easy to clean off excessive dirt and filth, just take a hose to it and spray it off.

Balustrades have also become an architectural statement. With spiralling, and innovative design, these rails have become more common in a variety of places and uses. Balustrade can now been seen in restaurants, hot spots and clubs, zoos and parks. External balustrade offers security, safety and functionality to the environment it is placed in.

While the most common form of external balustrade is made with metal, there are other types of balustrade that deserve a mention. A variety of different timbers and plastics can also be used in the fabrication of balustrades.

When you are seeking balustrade for external use, you need a company with that has the expertise and experience to not only install, but also provide the best balustrade on the market, Alpharail is that company, and we offer the best to every customer whether they are industrial, personal or educational settings.