One of the primary safety features of a staircase are the handrails & railings, which help prevent falls & injuries. These staircase parts can be made of different materials, such as metal, wood or glass, to accomplish different visual effects. The kind of stair railing and type of handrail used will also impact the look of the staircase.
What’s the ideal material for stair handrails and railings?
Well, the ideal material for stair handrails & railing relies upon the environment of the staircase & the look wanted. Metals, like aluminium, steel and wrought irons, are popular options for industrial and commercial settings and contemporary environments, whereas wood gives a more classic look. Glass is usually employed when the view beyond the railing is critical.
Steel:
Steel is a well-known material for both stair handrails & railing for commercial egress stairs and industrial staircases. Also steel is the ideal material for stair stringers. To prevent rusting, stainless steel is generally used.
Steel railings can be used in a range of settings including commercial, industrial and residential. In homes & offices, stainless steel railings give clean lines and a contemporary look. They can be used with a range of handrail materials, such as wood, to get the desired effect.
Wrought iron:
Wrought iron handrails can be used for indoor & outdoor staircases in homes & commercial buildings. Wrought iron handrails can be used on both straight & curved stairs.
Decorative wrought iron stair railings are found in office buildings and private residences. They can be used in both exterior and interior applications. Wrought irons balusters are often used in combination with wood handrails to accomplish a refined & dramatic effect.
Wood:
Wood is the most traditional & classic material employed for handrails and railings. Popular woods include red oak, which is easy to stain, sand, and finish, as well as white oak, which is harder and more water resistant. Ash, mahogany, cypress, cherry and several other woods can be used for staircase handrails & railings.
Wooden handrails are generally found in homes & residential buildings. The use of wooden handrails can differ from decks to garage stairs to grand staircases in older homes. However, wooden handrails can also be used with more modern railing materials, such as metal or glass, to give a unique style.
Wood stair railing are generally used indoors, but can also be out outside on decks & other exterior structures if treated properly. Like wooden handrails, wood railings can be combined with other materials to build a more contemporary staircase.
If Horizontal Stair railing is what you are interested in, get in touch with Stair Warehouse.
But while the building itself can follow pre-set specifications and models, these stair cases often have to be unique.
In planning and constructing a new residential or commercial space, they thus become a crucial consideration.
If no staircase is created equal, the same is true for stair railings.
In addition, other (though less common) alternatives such as glass railings are possible.
2) Understanding Relevant Building Codes
Stair cases and their railings have to comply with the local building codes applicable to your construction project.
