The Essence of Handrail Brackets

Rail projects are easy to do as long as you have the right tools with you. They can be accomplished within hours if you follow the proper procedures. Do it yourself handrail projects are less tiring physically as you don’t have to bend down when installing them.

Before starting this project, first make sure that you have the necessary materials and tools with you. For your handrail, you will need the tubing, end caps as well as the brackets and screws. The tubing is the pole that serves as the main handrail, the end caps are the covering at the end of the pole while the brackets are the ones that support the rail to keep it balanced and sturdy.

Similar to the rail, the handrail brackets also come in different materials, designs and finishes. They are available in wood, solid brass, cast aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, chrome and bronze. The finishes can either be polished, satin, antique, brushed or oil rubbed, among others.

Compared to the metal and metal alloy materials, wood is lighter and easier to work with. It can be shaped into different styles to fit any stair and to complement your home’s interior space.

There’s a wide variety of designs for the handrail brackets. I’ve seen unique designs such as the horse head, lion head and elephant head. However, the parallel or the double brackets are considered the safest to use. This type has one holder nailed to the wall and the other side mounted on the handrail.

When choosing the brackets, you have to make sure that they fit the shape of your rail and they come with the nuts and bolts. This step you should keep in mind especially if you’re not purchasing a kit but separate parts. For a straight handrail, you will need up to five brackets but if the staircase is spiral, a curved one or has multiple right angle turns, more brackets will be needed.

The handrail brackets are not just used for decorative purposes. They serve to support the handrail to make the entire staircase durable and safe to use. With brackets, the rail is placed farther from the wall or from the baluster of the stair making it more comfortable to hold on to.

When choosing the brackets, it is ideal that they are of the same material as that of the rail. They have to complement each other instead of being in contrast. But you can pick a design other than the plain ones to make your handrail more attractive.

Additionally, consider the overall style of your staircase before purchasing your materials for the rail. If you’re in doubt, you can consult a professional interior designer for advice.

Shopping around is the best thing you can do for this special home project. You can conveniently do this on the internet by searching through the numerous websites that cater to home accessories and fixtures. They normally have photos of these brackets and provide information on their available stocks. You can also check out your local hardware stores or those online if you want.