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Staircases are among the important components in buildings. These help to connect different floors of the house vertically. Staircases have other different components which include treads, stringers, balusters, and handrails just to name a few. Of all these components, staircase handrails are very vital as they offer stability and the support that the user requires when climbing up and down the stairs. Just as the name suggests, a staircase handrail is that part of the staircase that you hold onto when you are climbing or moving downstairs. The handrail is supported by the newel posts and it rests on the balusters. Staircase handrails could be made of different materials which include metal, wood, and even glass for the purpose of achieving various visual effects. Keep it here as we unleash everything that you need to know about staircase handrails.
How to Choose a Staircase Handrail
As we have been mentioning, staircase handrails are very vital in commercial and residential setups. However, it is very important to make sure that you are always choosing the best handrails in the market. The reason for this is the fact that there are so many options in the market and this does not necessarily mean that all these options will be good for you. Still, on that, what might be good for one person might not be good for you. The best way to land on the best picks is to identify the key features you want in your staircase handrails. You will then use that as a checklist to see what options fit into your criteria. Here are some key pointers to quality staircase handrails.
Sturdy material
First things first, you need to settle for staircase handrails that are strong enough to withstand your heavy weight and last for the longest time possible. The only way to do that is to ensure that the materials used in making the handrails are strong enough and are of the best quality. Some models feature galvanized steel pipes with the surface coated with a rust and corrosion-resistant coating. This largely contributes to their strength and durability. There are other models that use pure pine wood with a wear-resistant surface which is also a good choice.
Large Bearing Capacity
Here is another thing that you ought to think about when choosing your staircase handrails. This is an indication of the amount of weight (in pounds or lbs.) that your handrail set can support. All this narrows down to the construction quality of your handrails since this is where they draw their massive load-bearing capacities. For commercial and residential uses, it would be good to settle for handrails that support between 440 and 550lbs. of weight for each bracket. This is a good choice for both young and adult family members.
Ergonomic design
For your safety, you will want a handrail set that has an ergonomic design. Quality handrails feature clean surfaces that are slip-resistant which offers a very solid grip. This gives you the assurance that the handrail will comfortably give you the support you need when moving up or down the stairs. Such will offer the best protection for people using the stairs including kids, the elderly, and disabled members of the family. Handrails with an ergonomic design will generally eliminate injury risks both in residential and commercial setups.
Ease of installation
The last thing you want from your handrails is getting a set that will be too complicated to set up. This is the reason why you should insist on buying from brands that offer clear assembly instructions. Installing staircase handrails should be a process that takes very few minutes and it should be a DIY task. To make sure that this is the case, settle for products that come with all the accessories that you need for installation. This way, you will be able to fix the brackets manually on the wall.
Multiple purposes
It is also a good choice to choose handrails that offer you the versatility that you might need. Other than being confined to staircase use, make sure that your set of handrails can offer support in other different places. This includes use in halls and walkways, villas, basements, apartments, garden stairs, bars, and bathrooms just to name a few.
Product Review
Having understood the key factors to consider when choosing the best staircase handrails, it is now time to make the decision. However, the market is highly flooded with so many options with different features and designs. Having been informed of this fact, our research team settled on a few options that we believe will be a great choice for your apartments or commercial residences. The list has been compiled based on customer feedback and convenience. Have a look at the selection below as you compare their different features and proceed to make an informed decision.
Promenaid 18″ Handrail w/ 2 Black Wall Brackets
These are ergonomic handrails that will offer the support that you need when moving up and down stairs. The handrails have an elegant design that will match your décor effortlessly. They effectively balance smart sophistication and daily functionality to add some refinement that easily spreads all over the house. You can choose between champagne silver, satin black, and architectural Bronze finishes.
Another good thing about these handrails is that you can use them just anywhere you are in need of a very solid grip. Being contemporary and classic, these handrails will be a stylish addition to all homes and business places. The handrails have a very simple installation for the reason that they do not require special tools, gluing, or sanding. They come with brackets that will easily lock in place with a very basic twist. The handrails pride themselves on having met the residential and commercial strength codes since every bracket supports 550lbs. of weight.
Features
- Every bracket supports up to 500lbs. of weight
- Universal stir bends that easily adjust from 0-60 degrees
- Meets commercial and residential strength codes
- These handrails feature an elegant sating black and anodized finish
- These are ergonomic handrails that are safe to hold onto
- They are very easy to install with little to no maintenance
- These handrails support a good weight capacity
- They have an elegant design matching with your decor
- Users complain that it has a short length
SCIEO 8FT Staircase Handrail, Black
Among the things that you will like about this handrail set is the fact that it features high-quality materials. It deploys quality galvanized stainless steel that has been coated with a corrosion-resistant surface for durability purposes. You will also appreciate its unique and elegant satin black finish that will also match your room’s décor. Other than offering support, therefore, the handrail will also be a good way to modernize your house.
This set comes with the accessories that you will need for an effortless installation. The handrail measures 8 feet in length and is supported by 4 wall mounts that are approximately 3.05 inches away from the wall. According to the manufacturer, each handrail can comfortably support a pull of 440lbs. This makes the set a good choice for a family. Featuring a multi-purpose design, you will appreciate that it becomes a good choice for apartments, basements, bathrooms, and even dance studios.
Features
- Features high-quality galvanized steel pipes
- They have a modern and minimalistic design
- Comes with installation accessories
- Every bracket supports 440lbs. weight
- Made of quality materials that last for a long time
- The elegant black finish will match your room’s décor
- These handrails are very easy to install
- Easy to clean and has a wide range of uses
- Hex screws are not included
LEXYHYS Wooden Handrails for the Indoor Stairs (3ft)
This handrail has been made of pure and high-quality pine wood and hand-polished to attain a beautiful and clear texture. Its surface has an environmental protection coating that is resistant to water absorption for durability reasons. With such a surface, it will also be very easy to clean the handrail. You will also appreciate that the handrails have rounded edges which are actually protective among users both young and old. With such an ergonomic design, you are assured of a very secure grip which makes the handrail generally safe to use.
The wood material deployed in this handrail set is strong enough to support a maximum weight of 550lbs. It achieves this by using stainless steel fixed plate which is also resistant to corrosions and rust. Whenever you enter the house carrying packages or groceries, this handrail will be there to offer you the support that you need. Another thing that is worth celebrating about this handrail is the fact that it comes with the accessories needed for installation. Better still, the handrail has a wide range of applications including stairs, walkways, basements, and villas just to name a few.
Features
- Made of high-quality solid wood material
- The handrails are slip-resistant and safe
- Supports weight of 550lbs.
- Comes with install fittings for a simple installation
- An ergonomic design for a safe grip
- Supports a good weight of 550lbs.
- This is a quality and durable handrail
- It involves a very simple installation process
- The instructions aren’t quite clear
How to Choose the Right Size of Staircase Handrail for Your Stair
The simple fact that you have installed handrails on your staircase is not a guarantee of safety. You have to choose the right handrail size for your staircase to rest assured of complete safety. You will need to follow the laid-out regulations depending on the property. All the same, it will narrow down to the local building codes. Here are some OSHA standards and rules for handrails:
The height of the railing needs to be not less than 42 inches. This is from the tread’s first edge to the upper edge of the rail.
You will be needed to secure not less than 2.25 inches between every handrail and some other object.
If you will have some openings, the space between the openings must not exceed 19 inches. This basically refers to the balusters on the rail system.
OSHA standards have specified that the handrail and the top rail must handle a minimum of 200 pounds of weight in whichever direction.
How to install a Staircase Handrail?
Locate and make the stud markings- you can use a stud finder to locate your studs on the handrail brackets. Ideally, you will need to install handrail brackets since this is where the handrail will be anchored firmly at specific intervals. Once you have identified the studs’ location, mark vertical reference lines on the wall with the help of a level to indicate the center of every stud.
Cut your handrails to length- next, you are supposed to measure and later cut your handrails o the desired length. To guarantee the best gripping, make sure to extend the handrail slightly beyond the bottom and top steps by a distance that is equivalent to the stair tread width.
Mark the height of the handrail- this should be done using a tape measure or level where you make markings on the walls 36 inches above the stair treads. You ought to do this at the bottom, top, and middle of the handrail’s location. It is possible to adjust the handrail height but the dictated height is between 34 and 38 inches.
Mark the bracket locations- seek help from one or two friends to position your handrail against your wall. You should do this such that the top edge lies against the reference marks that you just made. From here, you will easily make the reference marks on the bottom part of the handrails. This is what will indicate where the support brackets tops will be.
Fix the brackets of the handrail to the wall- next, you ought to position and fix the brackets on the wall at your reference marks that you just made on your stud lines. Make sure that the tops of the brackets are flush with the handrail’s bottom edge.
Attach your handrail to the brackets- finally, attach the handrail in a way that it comfortably rests on your brackets. Please ensure that the handrail overhangs properly at the top and the bottom. Upon confirming this, proceed to secure the handrail to your support brackets with the U-shaped sleeves fitting around the bracket arms. Using a screw gun, drive the screws in tightly.
The Advantages of Using Staircase Handrails
It is a known fact that people tend to downplay the roles that staircase handrails offer. People ignore that until the time comes when the significance of these house components cannot be compromised anymore. Staircase handrails go a long way to preventing falls, especially among individuals with mobility problems. Handrails are important for staircases, ledges, decks, and anywhere else where there is a likelihood of fall injuries. Among the safety benefits that you will reap from your staircase handrails include:
Helps in promoting balance on steps- whenever you lose balance on the stairway or suffer an emergency muscle weakness, you will definitely want to cling onto the handrails. Ideally, handrails will offer the stability which is much needed by people with mobility issues. Individuals will often like to get some support while moving upstairs and also remain safe as they move down the stairs.
Prevents accidental falls- handrails on your decks or ledges will provide the much-needed barrier between the surface of the deck and the vertical drop. As such, you can rest assured of safety when using your stairways.
They are safe during inclement weather- weather like rain, ice, snow, and sleet can make your steps both indoors and outdoors a bit slippery and unsafe. You, therefore, want the assurance that your sidewalks as well as other walkways will be safe to use during that weather. Handrails will come in handy by offering the support that people will always clutch onto in order to ensure that they never slip off.
They offer peace of mind and overall comfort- handrails help to offer peace of mind for people suffering from mobility issues. These railings will make them feel more at peace and confident when climbing up the stairs. By the simple fact that a handrail is in place, individuals will be able to safely move from one place to the other with no worries at all.
Handrails are aesthetically pleasing- the aesthetic appeal of these handrails will help to enhance any space. If you are a lover of sleek style, stainless steel railing will be a great choice. There are, however, so many options that you can choose from depending on the size of your space. You can therefore enhance your office, the public area, or store with these handrails.
Conclusion
Every year, so many people lose their lives as a result of falls, slips, and trips on the stairways according to research. This shows how important staircase handrails are in residential and commercial places. They offer the best support and stability that you need when climbing or moving down the stairs. Handrails also come in handy when walking in a hallway or a walkway and when you are maneuvering in your bathroom. Other than being very vital for the elderly and people with disabilities, handrails are equally important for young people as well. With the best handrails, it is possible to decrease the fall rates which will consequently lead to safer environments.
This article captures very important details about staircase handrails. We hope that you have learned how important handrails are for your residence. Other than listing the benefits that these house components offer, we have also highlighted some tips on how to get the best staircase handrails from the flooded market. We even went further to suggest a few staircase handrails that have been recommended by users. You will therefore not be swayed away by fake reviews to buy products that are not worth it. In a nutshell, you have all the information you need to purchase the best staircase handrails for your home or commercial residence.
Staircase Handrail FAQ
1. Can We Use Staircase Handrails in the Bathroom?
Handrails are an essential component of buildings. With a handrail in the house, you can be sure to get the extra support you need, especially when moving down and up the stairs. Other than being used on stairways, handrails are also an integral part of the bathroom, particularly for people with physical challenges and the elderly. There is, therefore, absolutely no problem having handrails in the bathrooms.
2. Is a Staircase Handrail safe?
Yes, it is! As we have been mentioning, handrails are a vital component of safety. They help to guarantee safety for all the building’s occupants by preventing falls which can lead to very serious injuries. This includes kids, adults, the elderly, animals, and people who are physically challenged. However, for handrails to be deemed safe, there are several factors to consider including the design of the handrail, its height, the distance from the wall, the grip, and general materials used to make the handrail. You ought to make sure that the handrail deploys materials that offer the best grip and that it has been securely attached to the wall to support your weight. Some people think that handrails are only important when climbing up the stairs but the truth is that you will need them even as you move down.
3. Staircase Handrail vs Stair Railing: what’s the difference?
Railing and handrails are two aspects of staircases that are often confused by most people. A handrail is also known as a banister and is that part of your staircase that users will hold onto for the purpose of getting support when moving up and down the stairs. Handrails are meant to guide the user all along the staircase. On the other hand, refers to the barrier that prevents users from falling off either side of the stairs. Staircase railings must be strong enough to resist any breakage in case someone falls or pushes it.
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