How Do I Choose A Stair Railing?

How to Choose the Right Stair Railing for Your Home

1. Define Your Style. When building your house or renovating it, a particular style is usually chosen.
2. Keep Safety in Mind. Although the style is important, stair rails were created for security purposes.
3. Style Should Complement Design.
4. Details Are Essential.

How do I choose a stair handrail?

LENGTH: To get a general idea of how much handrail you need, count the number of steps on your stairway and multiply by 13”. Don’t forget to add any extra length that may be needed at the top or bottom of your stairway.

Does stair railing have to match floor?

The slight variation is just fine. This is less than 1/2 step darker. The railing compliments the TREADS very nicely…which you will notice are NOT a perfect match to the floor.

Which railing is best?

Aluminum. An aluminum balcony railing is lightweight, easy to install, and more durable than one made of wood or plastic. Unlike stainless steel, aluminum is subject to significant corrosion. Aluminum is also a soft metal when compared to alternatives like iron or stainless steel.

How do I calculate stair railing?

5 Easy Steps For Measuring

1. Step 1 – Measure the overall height.
2. Step 2 – Measure the overall length.
3. Step 3 – Length of nosing.
4. Step 4 – Depth of finished tread.
5. Step 5 – Height of finished tread.

What makes a handrail graspable?

1012.3 Handrail graspability.
All required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross-section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1.25 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) or shall provide equivalent graspability.

What is the standard width of a handrail?

Handrails must be between 1¼ and 2 inches in diameter. section shall have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches (100 millimeters) minimum and 6¼ inches maximum, and a cross section dimension of 2¼ inches (57 millimeters) maximum. construction tended to be larger than this.

How do you match stairs with hardwood?

If you have hardwood floors upstairs and downstairs, it’s relatively easy to blend them by simply using hardwood stairs as well. If you do not like plain stairs, another option is to use a thin runner. As long as the sides of the stairs still match the rest of the floor, it won’t seem out of place.

Should I paint or stain my handrail?

Painting is generally easier as it adds a layer of protection to the stairs and railings. However, staining brings out the beauty of the wood and is preferable in older homes. There are positives and negatives to each approach. Painting is cheaper and offers more options in terms of color.

What color should stair treads be?

It’s fairly customary to paint stair risers a bright, glossy white while the stair tread gets a coat of protective stain. While this looks nice in formal spaces, it isn’t always the best choice for all homes. Consider some of these other options instead. Playroom Stairs.

Which is better iron or steel railing?

Corrosion. Wrought iron is prone to rust, whereas steel contains nickel and chromium, making it more resistant to rust. Without these elements, steel isn’t as resistant and doesn’t have the longevity of iron. With proper care and protection, however, wrought iron can be free of rust and will stand the test of time.

How many types of railings are there?

There are two primary types of railings: handrails and guardrails.

Which glass is best for railing?

Laminated glass is best prescribed if you prefer glass panels that are frameless. Generally, PVB is more suitable for the indoor glass stair railings because it has a chance of decaying quicker than EVA, which is more preferable for outdoor railings. Also, EVA gives a clearer lamination than PVB.

Are stairs 45 degrees?

For most standard stairs, the stair angle varies between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. Egress stairs have a shallower angle around 30-35 degrees while industrial stairs have steeper angles ranging from 40 to 70 degrees.

What length handrail do I need?

Measuring Handrail Length
ADA compliant stair handrails, mandatory in commercial settings, must run the full length of the Nosing Line. In addition, they require a 12” horizontal section at the top, starting at a point directly above the upper nosing.

Can a 2×2 be used as a handrail?

According to the IRC (2018), you can use a 2×4 to make a handrail, but you must cut finger recesses along both sides of the board and position the lumber lengthwise on its end. Using a 2×4 as a handrail laid vertically is not allowed.

What is a Type II handrail?

The IRC and residential portion of the 2009 IBC define Type II handrail as follows: Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6¼ inches (160 mm) shall provide a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile.

Can I use 2×6 for handrail?

Flat 2×4 and 2×6 handrails do not meet the requirements for graspable handrails. If you are using a circular cross section, then the handrail must have an outside diameter of between 1-1/4” and 2”.

Is it illegal not to have a handrail on stairs?

Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this. Handrails should be placed between 900mm and 1000mm above the highest point on the staircase steps.

Do I need a handrail on both sides?

Handrails are required on both sides of stairs and ramps. They are placed between 34 inches and 38 inches above the leading edge of a stair tread, the ramp surface, or the walking surface. Where children are the primary users of a facility, the ADA recommends a second handrail for children.

What is standard railing height?

(a) A standard guardrail shall consist of top rail, midrail or equivalent protection, and posts, and shall have a vertical height within the range of 42 inches to 45 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level.