I had to know what answers you were getting Barbara Todaro !

Barbara Todaro - learned about this in a 1815 home! A handrail?

fancy name for railing at balcony....

This is an old school term I remember from long ago. Doesn't it have something to do with a stair railing?

Well, I think a balustrade is the whole thing, it's not just the rail you slide down as a kid or the supporting elements. It's a series of balusters, which are the fancy ornamental spindles between the top plate and the bottom plate of a fence or railing. You see them more often on front porches of vintage homes.

In Los Angeles where some people build to the lot line, they asd a balustrade for their balcony, so they can peek at their neighbors activities.  LOL  A

Cool!

A fancy name for fancy sticks.

Fancy stuff

A police inspector who sometimes sought help from Sherlock Holmes!

And they can be kinda fancy too.   

I know this one.

Barbara Todaro A staircase railing.

That's the part of the balcony that you hit your husband with when he comes home drunk

Sounds nicer that railing, in fact probably costs more too.

The problem with this word is learning how to spell it.

Good morning Barbara, as usual I'm late to the party

???

A bannister. We used to slide down them when we were children.

A few other Rain friends raised their hands before I arrived at the Q&A site.  

Thanks for the Question Barbara Todaro 

The handrail on a staircase.

We still call them Balustade and many are hoping they are iron!

Stair rail supported by balusters.

Again, late to the party! Nothing new!