Grills, railings and sheds — price, types and what to check
Window grills, stair railings, MS sheds and general metalwork.
Window grills, stair and balcony railings, terrace sheds and general metalwork are made by local workshops. The section size and the finish decide how long they last. Gates and shop shutters have their own category.
The basics
- Mild steel (MS) is common and must be primed and painted; SS 304 doesn't rust but costs more.
- Priced by weight or per sq ft of grill.
- Hollow sections are lighter and cheaper; solid bars resist cutting better.
Grills, railings and sheds types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS window grill | 12 mm square bars | Windows and ventilators | ₹130–300 |
| SS 304 grill | Rust-free | Coastal and premium homes | ₹450–900 |
| MS staircase railing | Painted | Stairs | ₹400–900 |
| MS balcony railing | Box or flat section | Balconies and terraces | ₹450–1,000 |
| MS shed with sheets | Structure + roofing | Terrace, parking | ₹250–500 |
| Aluminium / GI louvers | Fixed or adjustable | Ducts, facades, stair windows | ₹200–450 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Ask the section size and weight per metre — thin hollow sections look similar but bend.
- Welds should be continuous and ground smooth.
- Red oxide or zinc-rich primer before the top coat.
- Paint should cover evenly with no bare welds.
- Fixing bolts should anchor into concrete, not just plaster.
- Railing posts shouldn't flex when you push them sideways.
Pro tips
- Use galvanised or zinc-rich primed steel in coastal areas.
- Keep at least one openable, lockable grill per room for emergency exit.
- Embed grill clamps in window frames rather than drilling later.
- Repaint MS work every 3–5 years, before rust starts.
- Use a handrail height of about 900 mm on stairs and 1 m on balconies.
Mistakes to avoid
- Fixed grills on every window — no fire escape.
- Painting MS without primer; rust bleeds through within a year.
- Railings with gaps a child's head can pass through — keep bars under 100 mm apart.
- Sharp spikes or edges on grills at a child's height.
- Terrace sheds bolted down too lightly for monsoon winds.
Where you can save
- Ask for weight-based billing with a weighbridge slip.
- Workshop catalogue designs cost less than custom CNC patterns.
How much you need
A 4 × 5 ft window grill in 12 mm bars weighs roughly 18–25 kg.
Brands to know
Local fabricators; Tata Structura, Apollo, Jindal sections