The corner pieces for a custom-sized railing are manufactured according to the specifications you provide, and a corner piece cannot be reversed once it has been installed.
The difference between inside corners and outside corners is simple once you know it, but it's easy to get them mixed up when you're standing there with a tape measure, trying to figure out which type of corner you have.
Here, we'll explain the difference in just thirty seconds and show you how to identify the corner, measure the angle, and check each side before ordering the railing.
What is the difference between an inside corner and an outside corner?
The rule is simple: always view the corner from the protected side—that is, from the floor where you will be standing once the railing is installed.
| Here's how to recognize the corner | Outside Corner | Inner Corner |
|---|---|---|
| The angle tip points | Outward, away from you | Inward, toward you |
| You are on the secure page | Inside the angle | Off the angle |
| Typical example | The outer corners of the balcony | Railing around a stairwell or a recessed area |
| Most common in | Balconies and Terraces | Stairwells, attics, and recessed areas |
If you're standing on the balcony and looking toward the corner, it's an outside corner if the tip is pointing away from you. If the tip is pointing toward the surface where you're standing, it's an inside corner.
A railing can have both
It is more common than you might think for the same railing to include both inner and outer corners. This is especially true on balconies with a recessed section or where a staircase meets the balcony.
A balcony that tucks in toward the house can have an inner corner where it recesses and an outer corner where the outer sides meet.
Therefore, evaluate and calculate each corner separately rather than assuming that all corners of the railing are of the same type.
The angle is not always 90 degrees
Most railing corners are right-angled, but by no means all of them. Balconies that follow the shape of the lot, pentagonal patios, and staircases that turn can create entirely different angles.
The type of corner and the angle are two different pieces of information. A corner can therefore be an inside corner or an outside corner even when the angle is not 90 degrees.
- 90° 90 degrees
- The most common configuration. You still need to specify whether the corner is an inside corner or an outside corner.
- 135° 135 degrees
- Common on pentagonal balconies and beveled corners. This angle often appears in pairs.
- ± Free angle
- Used when the railing follows the shape of the lot, the deck, or the house. In that case, the angle must be specified in degrees.
- ↘ Angled connection
- This occurs where a flat railing meets a staircase. Here, both the angle from above and the staircase's slope must be taken into account.
If a corner appears to be out of alignment, measure it with a protractor, digital angle meter, or angle bracket. A corner that looks like a right angle may actually be off by a few degrees, and over a longer stretch of railing, the deviation becomes apparent.
How to Measure—Step by Step
Start with the corner section and then take the measurements one side at a time. Work systematically around the entire railing; this reduces the risk of a corner or a section being ordered incorrectly.
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Stand on the inside
Stand on the protected side—that is, where you will be standing once the railing is installed. All corners should be assessed from this side.
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Determine which direction the tip is pointing
If the pointed end is pointing away from you, it's an outside corner. If it's pointing toward you and the floor, it's an inside corner.
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Check each corner separately
Follow the railing line around the entire surface and mark each corner. A single railing may include both inside and outside corners.
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Measure the angle of the corner
Check the angle if the corner is not clearly 90 degrees. Use a protractor, a digital angle finder, or the measurement method specified for the railing system.
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Measure one side at a time
Measure the surface from corner to corner and all the way out to each edge. Enter each side separately instead of the total length around the entire railing.
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Take photos of the corners from above
Take a general photo that clearly shows the shape of the floor surface and all the corners. The photo will serve as a useful reference if you need assistance before placing your order.
Not sure about your corners?
Take a photo from above and record the measurements for each side. Customer service can help you verify the corner type and angle before you place your order, or you can proceed directly to the 3D configurator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inside Corners and Outside Corners
Here you'll find brief answers on how to identify the corner type, measure the angle, and specify the different sides of the railing when placing your order.
What is the difference between an inner corner and an outer corner?
The corner is always viewed from the inside—that is, from the protected side where you will be standing once the railing is installed. If the corner point is pointing away from you, it is an outside corner. If it is pointing toward you, it is an inside corner.
How do I know if I have an inside corner or an outside corner?
Stand where you will be standing once the railing is installed and look toward the corner. If the tip points outward from the floor surface, it is an outside corner. If, instead, the railing line curves inward around a recess, it is an inside corner.
Feel free to take a photo from above. That way, the shape of the floor surface and the direction of the tip will be clearer than in a photo taken from the side.
Can a railing have both inner corners and outer corners?
Yes. This is common on balconies with a recessed section or where a staircase connects to the balcony. Therefore, assess each corner separately rather than assuming that all corners of the same railing are of the same type.
Does a railing corner have to be 90 degrees?
No. Pentagonal balconies and beveled corners often have an angle of 135 degrees. Railings that follow the shape of the house, balcony, or lot may also need to be manufactured with a custom angle.
The corner type and the angle are two different pieces of information. Therefore, you need to specify both whether the corner is an inside corner or an outside corner and what its angle is.
Is it possible to reorient a corner piece after the fact?
No. The corner pieces for a custom-sized railing are manufactured based on the specifications you provide. Therefore, an outer corner cannot be used as an inner corner later on, even if the angle is the same.
How do I measure the different sides of the railing?
Measure the surface one side at a time, from corner to corner and all the way to each edge. Do not simply measure the total length around the entire railing.
Please mark the sides on a simple sketch and include a top-down view. This will make it easier to match each measurement to the correct rail section and corner.
