Materials for handrails and stair railings

We wrote that in rare cases, for example, console stairs, railings and handrails may not be at all. But this is rather an exception. According to safety rules, there must be support for the hands when climbing stairs! And very few homeowners decide on such an experiment as a staircase made of only steps..

Immediately, we note that railings and handrails are somewhat different things. Railings are usually understood as stair rails of various configurations. The handrails are the upper part of the handrails, it is for them that we hold on when we go up or down. Handrails are also understood as special additional structures, usually going below the level of the handrails, intended for children and people with disabilities..

The most popular material for arranging handrails and handrails is metal. This is not surprising, because it is the most durable and durable. And the choice of such designs is very large. You can dwell on shiny stainless steel, which does not need painting, choose a simple railing made of pipes or fittings, and also decorate your house with an openwork structure made of forged metal that has been in the hands of a master.

Used to create handrails and handrails and aluminum, which is prized for its light weight. The advantages of the metal parts of the stairs include a rich selection of shapes and sizes, reliability.

A transitional and very popular option for creating a railing is a combination of metal balusters (handrail supports) and a wooden top. Holding onto a smooth and warm wood while climbing stairs is really nicer, which is why such handrails are appreciated by homeowners..

There are many pluses, but there is also a minus – you need to look after natural wood. Wooden railings are afraid of scratches, they will have to be updated, varnished or waxed, polished. Handrails made of wood are smaller than metal ones, and valuable tree species can cost a lot.

Traditionally, it is accepted that all stairs with more than three steps should have a railing. The height at which the handrails are attached can vary from 90 to 118 centimeters, but, as we already wrote, a separate, lower level of support can be held for children and disabled people.

Railing structures are regulated, there are in SNiP IV – 14–84, separate sections “Stairs of residential buildings” and “Ladder structures”, as well as GOST 23120–78 “Stairs, flight platforms and steel fences”.

If the width of the marching span does not exceed 1.25 meters, you can get by with a fence on one side. If the width is greater, another handrail is needed. Often, it is simply attached to the wall, next to which the ladder is installed, with reliable anchors.

A solid fence is considered the most reliable, but if forged or wooden racks, balusters are chosen, the distance between them should be no more than 15 centimeters, the optimal size is 10 centimeters. It is simple to navigate in this matter – the main thing is that a small child should not be able to crawl between the balusters.

As for the rest of the materials of handrails and handrails, in addition to wood and various types of metal, tempered glass is used in modern interiors. To make it easier to hold on, wooden or steel handrails are often put over the glass railing. An exotic and rarely seen option – ropes and ropes, serving as both a fence and handrails.

We state: materials for handrails and railings – metal, wood, glass, rope, as well as all kinds of their combinations. The shape can be flat, rectangular, round, in the form of a pipe. For fastening and support, brackets and anchors are used – floor, wall, self-supporting, hybrid.