Features of the choice of handrails for stairs

What are railings made of?

The main materials used in the manufacture of railings for stairs are metal, wood and glass. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Wrought iron railing

The most elegant version of the staircase fence. Ask the master to decorate them with decorative elements and boldly use them for a rich interior in a classic or baroque style.

The forging technique creates a sophisticated structure that looks lighter than bulky wooden railings. A staircase framed with such supports looks airy and does not hide the space. The main thing is not to overdo it with the design.

The photo shows a combination of white stone with black cast iron

If you want to make the space even lighter, paint the metal white instead of the traditional black or dark brown. You can decorate them with gold, silver or platinum trim.

Most often, stair railings come from:

• brass - externally casts gold, looks rich;
• cast iron - classic black metal.

Metal railings

Smooth metal is pleasant to some, cold and repulsive to others. But if you close your eyes to subjective opinion, you can see the obvious advantages of stamped stair rails:

• Versatility. This applies to both the style and the place of use (inside or outside).
• Profitability. If you compare metal and wood railings, the former are likely to be cheaper.
• Strength. Even a thin post can withstand a lot of pressure, and thanks to welding, you get a single monolithic structure, which is not afraid of anything.
• Durability. Any metal railings will last for more than a dozen years.
• Ease of maintenance. Lighter than light - wipe off dust regularly with a soft cloth.

Metal fences are mainly made of durable stainless steel, lightweight aluminum, or heavy iron.

Most often, the color of iron fences is chrome. But if necessary, you will find options for nickel, copper, bronze, gold or platinum. Aesthetically, the stainless steel support post looks minimalist, therefore it is often used in modern high-tech interiors.

In the photo, industrial-style pipe fencing

Wooden railing

Wood is a warm material, its appearance alone makes the home more comfortable. Wood has a number of advantages over other options:

• availability;
• environmental friendliness;
• budget price;
• nice texture.

Manually or on a machine, they give wood any shape: from straight and clear, to beautifully curved.

The disadvantage of wooden railings is their fragility. Even with a coating, they are inferior in vitality to metal or tempered glass. And if you want to decorate your house with supports made of precious wood, repairs will definitely cost a pretty penny.

In the photo, a green architectural element in the form of an accent

The most popular varieties:

• Pine. Cheap but not aesthetically pleasing. Suitable for painting.
• Larch. Can be applied without treatment, has a beautiful texture.
• Oak. Durable, elite, expensive material.
• Maple. Tinted suitable for imitation of valuable species.
• Beech.According to its characteristics, it is not inferior to oak, but it is cheaper.
• Alder. Not suitable for damp and very dry rooms (living room with fireplace).

Railings made of wood are most often vertical - baluster posts and a single handrail on top. But there are also railings without balusters - their design is somewhat reminiscent of metal structures.

Another advantage of this natural material is a large selection of textures and shades, even without painting. This will play into your hands if you love wood texture or create an eco-style interior. For Provence, the railings can be painted; for shabby chic, they can be aged.

Glass railings

Glass has an obvious advantage - it is transparent. It means no feeling of clutter, as can happen with overly decorated wrought iron railings. To maintain the effect of transparency, install minimalistic thin handrails without vertical beams.

If space permits, use tinted, stained glass or patterned glass - such an unusual design will be an amazing accent and add zest.

Do not worry about impact resistance - stair rails are made of tempered glass, so they are as reliable and safe as possible. Other advantages:

• resistance to humidity and temperatures;
• environmental friendliness;
• decorativeness.

Glass looks best in combination with wooden steps - you get a stylish, eco-friendly tandem.

A more economical alternative to glass is thicker plastic. PVC panels look almost the same as glass panels and are more cost effective. But they have a lot of disadvantages, for example, environmental friendliness and ease of damage. From frequent use, the railing will quickly become covered with scratches and lose its attractive appearance.

Combined

Railing for stairs made of several materials is more practical, more reliable, safer than others. For example, if you put a wooden handrail on top of metal supports, it will be much more pleasant to hold on to them.

Another duet is glass and metal. The glass panels are complemented by stainless steel handrails for a safer structure.

The third combination is wood and glass. As in the previous version, the glass acts as a rack, and the tree acts as a handrail. It is good if these materials are also actively involved in the interior.

There are also combinations of not two, but three materials: wooden handrails, metal supports, glass screens between them.

How to choose a railing in the shape of a staircase?

The location, size and design of the stairs are completely different, respectively, they will need different railings.

Location:

• Closed. The steps are sandwiched between the walls, which makes the climb absolutely safe and allows you not to install fences at all. However, if there are children or elderly people in the house, run a handrail along the wall (one is enough for a width of up to a meter, more - installation on both sides is required).
• Open. It is not safe to climb down these steps, so be sure to install posts and railings on both sides. For visual preservation, use only solid glass screens as safety barriers.

The size:

• Small. Even an open ascent of 3-4 steps (it happens when there is a difference in the level of heights in the apartment) is safe without additional support, so you can save money on the railing for the stairs.
• Big. For an open structure, forged or other railings are required. In a closed position, start from the number of steps - it will probably be difficult to climb high without help and you will need handrails.

In the photo, a spiral air staircase

The form:

• Straight. When deciding the need for a railing for a staircase, proceed from an open or closed type. There is also a semi-closed type - when the wall is on one side. In this case, if the staircase is wide, but shallow, the fence can be abandoned in favor of a wall railing.
• Screw. If there are no walls around - be sure to make high barriers, otherwise it will be unsafe to go up and down.If the rotary staircase is of a closed type or an angular one, a pole in the center of the structure is sufficient - it is convenient to hold on to it during descent or ascent.

Design options in a private house

Railings for stairs are selected in accordance with the style of the interior. Main directions:

• Classical. Cast iron forged elements are usually used, but neat carved wooden balusters are also suitable.
• Modern classic. A reliable variation is a concrete or brick parapet with a wooden handrail. Or any other material in a minimalistic design. Glass will fit well.
• Scandinavian style. The standard combination is red and white. Racks made of white plastic, metal, wood, stairs and handrail - natural wood.
• Loft. The best solution is metal in any form. Pipes, cables, fittings, sheets. No decor is required, such railings for stairs will become an accent.
• Provence. The very place for solid, preferably wooden buildings. In this case, it is better to cover the surface with any light paint.

In the photo, the wooden decor of the house

Only ease of use is more important than beauty, so as not to be mistaken with a home staircase when designing a country house, remember the following numbers:

• end with a platform every 10-12 steps, otherwise it will not be easy to climb without rest;
• lay a width of 90-100 cm, especially if there are a lot of people in the house - otherwise you will not be able to disperse with someone you meet;
• do not make the angle of inclination of the structure more than 45 degrees.

A selection of unusual ideas

You won't surprise anyone with simple handrails for the stairs, we have picked up some fresh interesting ideas:

• Thin strings from floor to ceiling instead of walls. They are also replaced with flat slats, ropes. This option cannot be called a railing, but rather a protective fence - it makes movement safer without interfering with the flow of light.
• Modern metal products. No more plant motifs in the form of forged flowers or grape bunches. Only straight, clear lines intertwined with each other.

• Blind fencing. Railings do not have to be balusters and handrails, they can be made of solid PVC, metal, or glass.
• Grid. This method is similar to the first. Such a fence is more likely not a support, but protection from injuries and falls. Shallow gaps will also help keep property from falling down stairs. The advantage of a mesh ceiling is that light penetrates the cells. And it can also contain natural or artificial flowers and other decor.

Photo gallery

Whatever style you decorate your home in, there are bound to be suitable railings on the modern market. The main thing is to think everything over in advance, and then just carry out the plan.