Staircases are one of the oldest construction techniques known to man. The first known use of stairs goes as far back as the pyramids. Staircase handrail, also called balustrade, were started as a safety feature to prevent people from falling over the side. Actually, the balustrade is used to refer to the handrails and the wooden pillars on which they stand are called balusters. In conjunction with each other, they are called the railing system. It is sometimes also called a banister. But it has come a long way from being a safety feature. Today, they are intricate pieces of art with carvings and quite big business in themselves. They are available in large departmental stores like Home Depot. There are a large number of types of railings available:
- Core rail – This is used to reinforce the wooden balustrade. Provides increased structural integrity. It is made of stainless steel.
- Gooseneck – It is used to refer to the vertical piece of wood that joins the balustrade on a lower level to the one on a higher level.
- Volute – It is used as a decorative element at the end of a staircase. It curves inwards spirally and is called left-handed volute or right-handed volute according to the way it is curved.
- Turnout – It is like a volute, but instead of going all the way, it’s halfway there.
- Rosette – It is used to decorate the end of a staircase handrail
- Easings – These are used in case of wall mounted handrails. They use wall brackets.
How to Deal with Spiral Staircase Handrail
Spiral staircase handrail is very intricately designed, in keeping with the design of the spiral staircase. It is also possible to have a DIY spiral staircase handrail. How to build and how to install it, is a complicated task. In the world of woodworking, one of the most difficult things to fabricate is a compound curve. A spiral staircase requires just that. Manuals are available on how to install. DIY installation manuals, kits as well as design ideas are available on the internet and at dealers’ stores. There is also handrail parts that can be bought individually.
The Easy Way Staircase Handrail Design
Staircase handrail design is very much an art form and is based on the requirements of the customer. They can be made out of something as crude as iron, or they can be made of exquisite woods like oak and cedar. Design is dictated by function and all of it is an extension of what is required. A corporate environment will have a completely different approach to the design as compared to that in a night club or a lounge. The environment is just as important as the functionality
How to Create Comfort Staircase Handrail Height
Staircase handrail height is very important. It needs to be at an optimum height so as not to create discomfort to the people who use the stairs. This is called the height code. It is actually part of a measurement code which lists the required measurements of all the parts of a staircase. This includes things such as the height of the step, the maximum protrusion allowed off each step, etc. The height of handrail should be between 34 and 38 inches. The code also specifies the diameter of the handrail as between 1.25 to 2.67 inches.
