How to choose the right stair railing and handrail-buying guides

There are many styles of stairs and railing in a variety of formats. There are so many materials available. Stairs and handrails are very important for a house。 how to choose a stair railing becomes very difficult for you.

You can decide what material to use and then choose a style that matches the material and color of your staircase and surroundings.

Why do you need to consider stainless steel glass stair railings and handrails?

The glass railing has a modern atmosphere. Open field of view, visually increase the space, the space is the more bright atmosphere, for the narrow stair it is a good choice. Glass is easy to install, non-toxic, and odorless, the best choice for modern railing. Long life, safe, even if the tempered glass breaks, it will not fall down and hurt people.

Stainless steel is one of the most corrosion-resistant materials on the market. Variety of styles, rich surface, can be made in various colors, wood plating, etc. Anti-corrosion, strong corrosion resistance. Solid, high load-bearing capacity.

Stainless steel stair railings and handrails have all the advantages of stainless steel and glass, strong, durable, beautiful, and suitable for all environments, indoor and outdoor. No maintenance afterward, no need to replace. If you use other material stair handrails, you may need regular maintenance, maintenance cost is quite a lot, after using a period of time you need to replace it, this cost is huge. The average cost of using one year is much higher than the stainless steel glass stair railings and handrails!

What material do I need to use for the railing and handrail of a staircase?

There are wood, metal, glass, PVC, mixed, acrylic, etc. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, which one is suitable for your home?

The following is an introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of each stair railing material.

1, Wooden Railing

Wooden railing is easy to process, has low energy consumption for production, natural degradation, little environmental pollution, good wood is expensive because of the production problem, poor wood wear-resistant, corrosion resistance is very poor. Another is that wood design and style are relatively old, and do not have a modern sense, so most people do not choose pure wood railing. Many people choose to use wooden handrails, wooden posts with stainless steel, and glass. 

Cedar (usually use a handrail)

Pros: Does not warp due to moisture, contains natural preservatives, has antibacterial, antifungal, and insect repellent effects, no chemical treatment is required. Cedar is lightweight, easy to cut, and easy to install with nails or screws.

Cons: high price, outdoor use gradually become weathered gray. The dull style needs to be used with metal or glass to have a modern feeling.

Most suitable for indoor and outdoor environments, commercial use, domestic use

Maintain: Wooden handrails and railings are easy to maintain and clean. Outdoor use requires painting the wood to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water.

Oak (usually use a handrail)

Pros: Dense, strong, and reliable, can withstand a lot of weight. The wood has a stunning natural grain pattern. Has superb resistance to moisture and decay.

Cons: Difficult to cut, may shrink, and may become cracked if not properly cleaned or maintained.

Most suitable for indoor and outdoor environments, commercial use, domestic use

Maintain: Wooden handrails and railings are easy to maintain and clean. Outdoor use requires painting the wood to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water.

Mahogany (usually use a handrail)

Pros: Durable, attractive wood grain and appearance, waterproof, rot-resistant

Cons: high price, large color differences, darkens over time due to sunlight

Most suitable for indoor and outdoor environments, commercial use, domestic use

Maintain: Wooden handrails and railings are easy to maintain and clean. Outdoor use requires painting the wood to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water.

Spruce

Pros: cheaper than hardwood

Cons: Perishable and requires the use of wood preservatives as it is not water-resistant and rots quickly.

Most suitable for indoor environments, commercial use, domestic use. Waterproofing and preservative treatment is required outdoors.

Maintain: The wood must be painted regularly to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water.

Pine

Pros: cheaper than hardwood, resists shrinkage and swelling

Cons: Easily damaged, easily decayed, requires a wood preservative

Most suitable for indoor environment, commercial use, and domestic use. Waterproofing and preservative treatment is required for outdoor use.

Maintain: The wood must be painted regularly to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water, as well as to protect it from impacts.

Fir (SPF)

Pros: A lightweight and strong, rot-resistant, waterproof.

Cons: Fir can bend and warp when it gets wet, and while it is easy to repair, it can be damaged, dented, and scratched relatively easily.

Most suitable for outdoor indoor environments, commercial use, and domestic use.

Maintain: The wood must be painted regularly to keep it comfortable and prevent it from being damaged by water, as well as to protect it from impacts.

2, Metal Railings

The most popular metal railings are stainless steel and aluminum, closely followed by wrought iron and cast iron. Here are a few of the most used in the market. 

(a), Stainless steel

Stainless steel is one of the most corrosion-resistant materials on the market. Variety of styles, rich surface, can be made in various colors, wood plating, etc. Anti-corrosion, strong corrosion resistance. Solid, high load-bearing capacity. If you have the budget please try to choose stainless steel, low maintenance costs, is durable, and no replacement worries later.

304 stainless steel handrail and railing

Pros: resistance to common rust and corrosion

Cons: will corrode in chlorinated or saline environments

Most suitable for indoor or protected railings; non-hostile outdoor environments. Residential, commercial, industrial are all possible

Maintain: Almost maintenance-free

316 stainless steel handrail and railing

Pros: Highest corrosion resistance

Cons: more expensive

Most suitable for outdoor or extreme environments; Residential, commercial, industrial are all possible, very suitable for industrial use

Maintenance: virtually maintenance-free

Duplex 2205 stainless steel handrail and railing

Pros: Highest corrosion resistance

Cons: More expensive than 316 stainless steel

Most suitable for seaside, marine, or extreme environments; residential, commercial, industrial, very suitable for industrial use

Maintenance: Almost maintenance-free

(b), Aluminum railings

Aluminum has the outstanding advantages of stable performance, high strength, lightweight and rust-free, and long life.

Pros: stable performance, high strength, light and rust, long life, a variety of styles, rich surface

Cons: the texture is softer than steel, strength, and toughness are not as strong as steel and iron, the surface is easy to oxidation.

Most suitable for indoor and outdoor railings

Maintenance: avoid solid things hit, the aluminum surface has a protective layer that can cope with many harsh weather conditions, and does not require much maintenance.

(c) Iron railing

Wrought iron railing

Wrought iron fencing can provide your home with a classical aesthetic unmatched by other types of fencing materials.

Pros: Strong, durable, and inexpensive, wrought iron fences are perfect for security fencing due to their high material strength, often topped with sharp decorative nails.

Cons: low corrosion resistance

Most suitable for Indoor and outdoor

Maintenance: Wrought iron fences require frequent recoating and repainting to prevent rusting.

Cast Iron Railing

It is a metal iron fence made of cast iron.

Pros: strong, durable, cheap

Cons: low corrosion resistance, few styles, can not be wrought

Most suitable for indoor and outdoor railings

Maintenance: wrought iron fence needs to be recoated and repainted frequently to prevent rusting.

If a single small batch is good with cooked iron, easy to weld. If the same type of batch is very large, such as hundreds and thousands, and also do not need to be welded, connected with screws, you should choose cast iron, the comprehensive cost is low.

3. Glass railing

The glass building railing has a modern atmosphere. Open field of view, visually increase the space, the space is the more bright atmosphere, for the narrow space of the stair is a good choice. Glass is easy to install, non-toxic, and odorless, the best choice for modern railing. Long life, safe, even if the overall tempered glass breaks, it will not fall down and hurt people.

Pros: wide view, easy to install, with a modern atmosphere, showing high-end. Glass panels can block the wind

Cons: need regular cleaning, the surface is easy to scratch

Most suitable for the outdoor and indoor environment; domestic use, commercial use

Maintenance: Avoid impacts and scratches, otherwise little maintenance is required, just clean regularly.

4, Plastics railing

The plastics railing includes PVC, vinyl, acrylic, and composite. 

The manufacturing process of vinyl, PVC, acrylic, and composite plastics emits toxic fumes that are very harmful to human health and the environment. Securing stair railing systems made of plastic can also be challenging. Choosing to build exterior stair railing kits and systems out of plastic may not be worth the negative consequences.

PVC Stair railing

Pros: PVC will not rot, crack or split.

Cons: Soft, susceptible to impact damage, extreme heat can soften the railing, may fade or stain over time

Most suitable for outdoor indoor environments; domestic use, commercial use

Maintenance: avoid impact other than almost no maintenance, regularly clean it.

Acrylic railing

Pros: light, modern style, allows natural light

Cons: Expensive, not durable, scratches easily

Most suitable for outdoor indoor environments; domestic use, commercial use

Maintenance: it shows dirt, requires regular cleaning

Vinyl railing

Vinyl railings advantage can be bent and molded to fit popular curved deck shapes and customize your outdoor space with a magnificent design!

Pros: Smooth, chip-free surface, easy to clean, stronger than traditional wood railing, cheaper

Cons: Single style and color, may not fit the style of older homes

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; domestic use, commercial use

Maintenance: Almost maintenance-free, just clean it regularly.

Composite stair railing

Can be bent and molded to fit popular curved deck shapes and customize your outdoor space with a magnificent design! Also expands and shrinks less than porous PVC and vinyl products.

Pros: Beautiful appearance, more scratch, and weather-resistant than vinyl. Available in a variety of colors

Cons: Requires additional structural support, extreme heat can soften the railing, may fade or stain over time, and limited color options. 

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; domestic use, commercial use

Maintenance: almost no maintenance, just clean regularly.

5, Concrete stair railing

Pros: Sturdy and durable, you can paint or tile over concrete, making customization easy

Cons: Heavy, difficult to install, limited design

Most suitable for outdoor environments; domestic use, commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: requires regular cleaning

6, Stone Railings

Stone is often used to create sturdy designs. 

Pros: The stones themselves are difficult to damage or break. Cheap

Cons: This does not do well with wood materials

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; residential use, commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: No maintenance is required

Note that all stair railings need to be dusted

What style of stair railing do I need to choose？

Picket railing

It is a vertical design, This makes the stair look longer.

Pros: Simple, easy to install. Available in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors to match almost any environment.

Cons: Cleaning some slots can be a challenge.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; domestic use, commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: Cleaning is medium

Multi-line railing

The multi-line stair railing is a horizontal design

Pros: simple, easy to install, available in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors

Cons: Maybe climbed by children, and some local building codes do not allow this style.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; commercial use, industrial use.

Maintenance: Cleaning is medium

Patterned railing

The middle is made of a pattern, usually aluminum and iron use patterned railing, this is determined by the production process, wrought, extruded, cast, etc. It can do a variety of shapes.

Pros: a variety of sizes, styles, and colors are available

Cons: complex structure means the price is higher than the simple shape.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; residential use, commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: cleaning is a bit more complicated

Mesh railing

The wire mesh is usually made of stainless steel, but there is also carbon steel with a painted exterior, and copper is the highest-end wire mesh.

Pros: easy to install, easy to maintain, with an unobstructed view

Cons: high custom price, easy to damage during the installation of the grid.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; industrial use, commercial, residential generally do not use this type of design, not aesthetically pleasing.

Maintenance: Easy to clean

Panel railing

The panel railing has a panel in the middle. The panel is usually glass, which is transparent and ideal for panel railing and it is the most flowing style. Some panel railing is made of perforated aluminum, some are made of stainless steel mesh.

(a), Glass panel railing

Pros: simple, easy to install, easy to maintain, with an unobstructed view

Cons: the glass needs to be wiped clean often, the surface is easy to scratch

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; residential use, commercial use

Maintenance: requires frequent cleaning

(b), Perforated panel type railing

The center is a perforated panel. The panel is usually aluminum, but some stainless steel is also used. Aluminum is less expensive and is used in most cases

Pros: effective partition, with the role of protection often used in public places, such as bus stops

Cons: high cost, looks dull

Most suitable for the outdoor public plates, indoor environment; residential use, commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: Cleaning is a bit more complicated

Cable railing

Pros: Easy to install, easy to maintain, has an unobstructed view

Cons: Over time, the rope will loosen and needs to be adjusted. In summer, when the temperature is high, the rope expansion will also be loose.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: easy to maintain

Bar railing

Bar railing is the middle row of small bars mounted on the post. The small bar can also be a small pipe. This style is usually made of stainless steel, and the stainless steel column is equipped with clamps.

Pros: strong, easy to maintain

Cons: maybe climbed by children, some local building codes do not allow this style.

Most suitable for outdoor, indoor environments; commercial use, industrial use

Maintenance: medium cleaning

What kind of mounting do I need to choose?

Side mounting

The side mount is fixed on the side of the stairs.

If used on outdoor stairs, a side mount is recommended. This will cause the staircase and railing to rot.

Side mount can enlarge your staircase area. It is also very easy to clean the stairs.

Top Mounting

If you need a cheap railing riser, top-mounted may be suitable for you. side mount risers are more expensive than top-mounted risers.

Wall mounting

Wall mounts are wall railings mounted on the wall. The wall railing is for people to grip when going up the stairs.

What is the stair railing residential and commercial code?

The IRC and IBC are two model codes that serve as recommended guidelines for local code authorities to follow at their discretion. Model codes are often adopted by communities, and it is necessary to check with your local building code authority (usually the city building department) for codes that are relevant to your community. Stair railings and protective structures in new and remodeled homes may also trigger permit requirements.

(a), Handrails or stair railings should be provided on each side of the stairs, with a center handrail required if over 88 inches wide. Handrails or railing are evenly distributed.

(b), The spacing of the intermediate vertical members is 4 inches.

(c), Railing height 34 to 38 inches

(d), Handrails shall consist of a longitudinal member that is mounted directly to the wall or partition by means of brackets on the lower side of the handrail, and the surface of the top and sides of the handrail shall be smooth. The handrail shall be designed to provide a gripping surface to prevent the person using it from falling. Brackets shall be spaced no more than 8 feet apart.

(e), The space between the wall handrail and the wall shall be no less than 1 1/2 inches

(f), The maximum projection of the railing from the wall is 4.5 inches.

(g), The minimum distance between two railings is 27 inches.

(h), Minimum railing distance, One railing 31.5 inches

(I), The guard railing minimum height of 36 inches

(J), The railing is installed to withstand a load, which are the 200 pounds point load and the 50 pounds concentrated load

What are the stair railing new trends?

(a), Various metals as highlights Particularly striking in a more minimalist home, adding cool graphic elements.

(b), Curved design for a more artistic and design sense

(c), Minimalist

(d), Choose delicate shapes, such as spiral designs. Save space, but also has a sense of art.

(e), Let the light flow, stainless steel and glass combined in a modern way can ensure that natural light can flow even to the darkest parts of the house. Blend together around any handrail.

(f), LED stair railing

What is the price of various stair railings and handrails?

Why buy stair railings from YS Stainless Steel?

After you submit a simple drawing with basic measurements and any relevant photos, a dedicated design consultant will work with you or your contractor to discuss options, expectations, applications, budgets, limitations, compliance, and maintenance. Design decisions determined at this time include materials, dimensions, handrails, styles, and any stair details. Your design consultant will then develop a detailed cost estimate for you to consider

at no cost to you. Email us you can get free sample!

Once you approve the cost estimate for your railing system, your designer will create accurate computer-aided design (CAD) drawings to ensure you get the desired look with a perfect fit in the field.

After you approve the final CAD drawings, the manufacturing process can begin.

The YS factory team has specialized in manufacturing stainless steel stair railings and stainless steel glass stair railings for over 20 years. We have extensive experience in production and design.

Start consulting us for a free design consultation for your stair railings! Zoey@fs-yongsheng