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Invisible grills
Balcony and window safety with Jakob stainless ropes instead of bars.
Jakob referenceOverviewWhat it is
Invisible grills replace heavy MS grills with a row of thin stainless ropes. They keep the view, the light and the breeze, need no painting and do not rust in coastal air.
Ours use Jakob AISI 316 stainless ropes, Ø2 to 3 mm, individually tensioned in anodised or powder-coated aluminium tracks. For homes with young children we recommend vertical ropes at a 50 mm gap.
Options
Plan itInvisible grill drawing or planner
Enter the opening, the rope direction and the gap. The drawing sheet, the track details and the quantities update as you go. Architects can download the sheet with their name on it. Switch to Planner to see the grill against the view.
Planner
Technical dataSizes and figures
Invisible grills with Jakob ropes
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ropes | Jakob AISI 316 stainless steel, Ø2, 2.5 or 3 mm |
| Held by | Jakob terminals, each rope tensioned on its own |
| Tracks | Aluminium, anodised or powder-coated |
| Gap | 50 mm with children; 63 or 75 mm for adults |
| Direction | Vertical (recommended with children) or horizontal |
| Uses | Balconies, windows, ducts, staircases |
SafetyChoosing the gap
Gap between ropes, centre to centre
| Gap | Suits | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mm (2 in) | Homes with toddlers and small children, cats, pigeons | Recommended with children: keeps its margin when a rope is pushed |
| 63 mm (2.5 in) | A balance of view and safety | Only with good tension, checked at mid-height |
| 75 mm (3 in) | Adults and older children | Passes 100 mm at rest, but little margin under a push |
| 100 mm (4 in) | Views, where no children are present | Not child-safe |
We use Jakob stainless steel ropes (AISI 316, for coastal air) with Jakob terminals, each rope tensioned on its own. Vertical ropes are preferred with children because they give no foothold. An invisible grill adds protection to a parapet or railing; it does not replace one. Keep furniture, planters and AC units away from the grill.
PhotosIn use
What we useProducts
DownloadsCatalogues and drawings
Jakob catalogues open on jakob.com, so you always get the current edition.
QuestionsFrequently asked
Are invisible grills safe for children?
Yes, with vertical ropes at a 50 mm (2 in) gap, properly tensioned. International building codes treat 100 mm as the size of a small child’s head, so a 100 mm gap is not child-safe.
Do invisible grills rust?
Jakob AISI 316 stainless ropes do not rust like MS grills. Near the sea, 316 is the right grade.
Does an invisible grill replace a railing?
No. It adds protection to a parapet or railing. Keep furniture, planters and AC units away from it so children cannot climb.
Read moreGuides
Invisible grills vs MS grills: which is right for your balcony?
How stainless steel invisible grills compare with mild steel grills on child safety, view, upkeep and life in coastal air.
SS 304 or 316? Stainless steel near the coast
Why 316 stainless steel is the safer choice for railings and ropes in Mumbai and other coastal cities, and where 304 is enough.