If you are building your stairway to heaven then what
about the metal handrail.
Get to grips with metal handrail with our free guide.
Metal handrail can add a very aesthetically appealing touch to your
home and garden as well as being extremely durable. Given that just about every
home has steps, stairs or, at the very least, a slope of some kind, there are
very few properties which could not benefit from a well-crafted metal handrail.
Most metal handrail is made of steel since it is cheaper than its main
alternatives - wrought iron and aluminium. Although, of course, the principal
reason for the balustrade railing is safety, with a few considerations and
little touches, it can also be a thing of beauty which can enhance the value of
your home. A simple scroll at the end of the balustrade can not only provide a
visually-appealing feature, it can also offer a more secure handhold for
disabled people or youngsters.
The concept of metal handrail has changed considerably in the last few years.
Not long ago, all that was on offer were pieces of steel pipe or tube inserted
through hoops which were fixed to the wall or welded to posts. Effective and
utilitarian certainly but not particularly aesthetic. Nowadays the only limit is
your pocket and your imagination. Metal handrail comes in all profiles and is
made to suit just about every slope application you are likely to encounter.
Before you choose your metal handrail, you will obviously need to take into
account local regulations relating to stairs, steps and slope access and any
disability requirements you need to allow for. This is particularly relevant if
you are in business although even domestic applications are becoming
increasingly regulated with respect to access requirements. If the metal
handrail is to be sited outside, another factor to take into account is
vehicular traffic. For example, if the struts of the handrail are set at a
certain angle, then the struts will appear as a solid mass to any driver
approaching. This can be very dangerous if there is a crossing with animals and
small children being effectively invisible. If you have that situation, talk to
a civil engineer who will be able to guide you into purchasing the right type of
metal handrail.
Finally, after you have chosen your scrolls, end pieces, balustrade and railing,
you can now decide on a colour scheme. Why not choose something bright and
cheerful like pillar-box red, blue, green etc? This will both protect the steel
and also enhance the beauty of your new handrail.
Expect to pay £60 to £100 (US$120-200) per metre for installed and painted metal handrail.
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