Warhammer 40k Advanced Projects: How to Add a Fire Escape/Balcony & Stairs

Nothing makes your Warhammer 40k multilevel buildings more realistic looking than a fire escape. You can pretty much add it to any building you make and just think of how cool it would look. This is an article for more advanced Warhammer terrain builders. So…if you’re up to the challenge, let’s get to it shall we.

Materials list
-popsicle sticks
-scissors
-utility knife
-metal mesh (refer to the step 2 for more details)
-PVA glue (white glue)
PAINTS
-blood red
-graveyard earth
-bolt gun metal

Step 1 Prepare the steel frames

These will all be used for the frames of the platforms/balconies, wall supports, and stairs. Okay, this is where the fun begins. Grab a bunch of popsicle sticks and cut off the ends like so:

Next, paint them with blood red.

And then dry brush with graveyard earth. Only let a portion of the blood red bleed through.

Finally, dry brush some bolt metal gun. This is where your discretion for how much metal/rust you want showing. I like to have a 50/50 blend.

Step 2 Prepare metal mesh

I used a screener which I bought from a dollar store to resemble a steel mesh platform. Simply remove it from it’s handle.

Cut off some strips of your mesh. It was pretty easy using scissors for this. For the width I measured a space marine and a half.

Step 3 Glue mesh to framing

Next, glue down your popsicle stick framing to the strips of mesh. Make sure your mesh is completely flat and not bent or curled. I like to use gravity while waiting for the glue to dry. I simply place the popsicle stick in between to paint tubes on top of the mesh. Believe me, it’s much simpler this way.

It’s a good idea to outline your platform onto a piece of cardboard, then use that cardboard as a template.

Simply put the cardboard on top of your mesh and cut out your platform.

Step 4 Glue platforms to building

Glue the platforms to the building using PVA glue (white glue). I turned the building horizontal for this, then again placed 2 tubes of paints on either side of the platform to hold it in place while drying.

Step 5 Make your steps

Start by cutting strips of mesh the width you want your stairs. Like the platforms, I used a space marine as a reference to know how wide I wanted it.

Next, cut the strips into step sized pieces.

Now cut up some popsicle sticks for framing.

Glue the pieces to your mesh like so:

Step 6 Make your Railings

Paint some straws the same rust color as before.

Next cut and glue them to the platform. I used a Space Marine to measure how high I wanted the railing.

Step 7 Glue staircase to platform

Finally, glue the staircase to the platform.

And there you have it! Happy Warhammer terrain building gents.