What is the railing on stairs called?
Handrail: what is a handrail? A handrail, also called a bannister, is what people hold onto for support when going up and down the staircase. The handrail is fixed to vertical posts (balusters) or a wall up one or both sides of the staircase.
Which railing is best for staircase?
Steel. Steel is a popular material for both stair handrails and railings for commercial egress stairs and industrial staircases. Steel is also the best material for stair stringers. To prevent rusting, galvanized or stainless steel is often used.
Which side of stairwell should a handrail be on?
Standard building codes do not state a requirement for what side a handrail should be placed for residential structures. The handrail can be on either side of the stairs as long as it continuously runs the entire length of the stairs.
What are the parts of a staircase railing?
The Main Parts of a Staircase Railing Explained
- Balustrade. A balustrade comprises all the parts of a stair railing, including a banister or handrail supported by a series of balusters or rails.
- Balusters.
- Banister.
- Base Rail.
- Newel Post.
- Finial.
- Skirt Board.
- Apron.
What is the difference between a handrail and a stair rail?
Rock solid and designed to be elegant safety features in any stairwell, Promenaid handrails are made to be easy to install and are the ideal solution for mobility challenges. A stair railing, on the other hand, is primarily used to prevent people from falling off the side of the stairs.
What is a stair balustrade?
The balustrade is the railing and baluster that prevents you from falling over the edge. It’s also the collective name for the complete assembly of handrails, including spindles and newel posts. These can be highly decorative; turned, carved, forged, or even replaced by wooden or glass panels.
How tall should a stair railing be?
OSHA Standards
1910.23(e)(2) A stair railing shall be of construction similar to a standard railing, but the vertical height shall be not more than 34 inches nor less than 30 inches from an upper surface of top rail to the surface of tread in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.
Do I need railing on both sides of stairs?
California Handrail Requirements
If your home has three or fewer steps, there’s no need to install a handrail. However, homes having four or more stairs must have a rail mounted on at least one side if the stairway is less than 44 inches wide. If one edge of the stairwell is open, that’s where the handrail must be.
Do staircases need handrails on both sides?
(a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required width.
What are the slats in a railing called?
In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its construction are wood, stone, and less frequently metal and ceramic. A group of balusters supporting a handrail, coping, or ornamental detail are known as a balustrade.
Do I need a handrail for 3 steps?
Building Codes
Handrails are an important element of stair safety. So when is a handrail required? The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair.
What is the standard height of a railing on stairs?
(6) The height of handrails shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.
What is the difference between balustrade and railing?
A balustrade is a railing (handrail) and the row of balusters (posts) that support it. And yes, it is spelt “balustrade”, although it is commonly misspelt as ballustrad, ballustrade or balluster. A balustrade can also be known as railing, rail, banister, handrail and parapet.
What is the difference between a handrail and balustrade?
The ‘Handrail’ is the rail that you hold on to as you walk up or down stair. ‘Balusters’ are the uprights that sit under the handrail and support the handrail. While the ‘Balustrade’ is the barrier that prevents you from falling off the stair, and supports the handrail.
Where should a handrail start and stop?
Where should a handrail start and stop? Handrails should ideally be fitted from the pitch line of the stairs, which is on top of the nosing at the edge of the stair treads. They should ideally continue down the length of the stairs.
What is the difference between a stair rail and a handrail?
Do you need railing for 3 steps?
Editorial Adviser Mike Guertin replies: Since your stairs will have only three risers, you don’t need to install a handrail. That said, it’s important to count the number of risers accurately.
Whats the difference between a banister and a railing?
A banister is a handrail that is supported by the balusters. It is commonly referred to as a handrail, but the presence of balusters allows it to be free-standing, unlike a railing which is typically mounted to the wall.
How many steps can I have without a railing?
The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step.
What is a balustrade in architecture?
Found lining many staircases and terraces, a balustrade is a row of small columns topped by a rail. The term is derived from the form’s constituent posts, called balusters, a name coined in 17th-century Italy for the bulbous item’s resemblance to blossoming pomegranate flowers (balaustra in Italian).
What is the difference between a bannister and balustrade?
A handrail can be fitted against the wall your stairs follow and/or you can have a handrail included in your balustrade system (which can also be called a bannister) – for example with a metal handrail fitted on top of glass balustrades.
What is a staircase balustrade?
The collective name for the parts on a complete staircase, i.e. handrail, base rail, spindles, newel posts etc. Balustrade parts are available in wood, glass and metal.
Where should stair handrails be placed?
How to Install a Stair Handrail on Stairs | This Old House – YouTube
How many stairs can you have without a railing?
So when is a handrail required? The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step.