What’s a staircase without the handrail? I’d say it’s bare and not safe. It would be unattractive to look at as well.
The stairs being an important part of a house or building needs to have a safety feature. It is what enables people to go to the second and higher levels of a certain structure. And what completes this vital component is the handrail.
With the presence of handrails, people both young and old can safely go up and down the stairs. They have something to hold on to which makes ascending and descending the stairs easier. Handrails are also vital in aiding people with disabilities and their companions.
Handrails vary in the type of material and style. They can be decorative or just the plain ones. Wooden handrails are the most widely used materials in many homes. The ideal types of hardwood to use that are of top quality include oak, cherry, maple, mahogany, birch, pine and walnut.
The wood handrails are the most classic of all materials available today. They’re best used with wood staircases but they can also be combined with iron or metal stair railings. Whatever style you desire, wooden handrails are always a standout. They’re not only cool and comfortable to the hands but they also provide a different appeal to any interior space.
A standard wood hand rail is made of a two by two piece of lumber with one rounded side and another flat section which rests on the brackets. Each stock of hand rail is available in an 8-foot dimension. Brackets are also of different types.
When you have home improvement projects that need the installation of handrails, it’s recommended that you consult a professional contractor or interior designer. It is important to know the proper dimensions and clearance needed in using handrails. In addition, there are building code requirements that must be followed. Codes may vary, though, depending on your location.
For homeowners who want to have their handrails painted, it is best to paint it before the installation process. A painted or stained handrail needs to be dried well for at least an entire day or two days.
Marking the area where you will be putting the handrail is important. Use a pencil to mark the height of your railing as well as the location of the brackets and the holes. Make sure to just drill small pilot holes for the screw of the brackets. To measure the height of your handrail, you can use your hand and imagine the place where it will be comfortable while pretending to rest it on a handrail.
In installing handrails that will be attached to a wall, you need to have brackets to make them sturdy. These brackets are normally screwed to the wall. Keep in mind not to over tighten the screw and drill very far into the railing. Drilling a deep hole may break the railing especially if it’s one made of wood.
In measuring the location of your brackets, consider the width of your wall. You can use the distance of your wall stud as a guide when measuring the distance of each bracket.