5 Major Types Of Railing To Know For Industrial Usage

The handrails and railings on a staircase are necessary safety features that help avoid falls and injuries. These staircase parts can be made of different materials to achieve visual effects, such as metal, wood, or glass. The kind of stair railing and handrail utilized will also affect the presence of the staircase.

Handrail & Railing

Handrail and railing are two stairway components that are being misunderstood. A handrail, also known as a banister, is the part of a staircase that people use for assistance when heading up and down the stairs. It should provide stability and a constant guide along the stairwell. It can be constructed from different materials. It can be connected to a wall, broad from the side of the stair rail, or rest on top of the balusters (lateral posts) on a staircase’s open side.

A railing is a protective barrier that keeps people from falling off the stairwell. If anyone falls or pushes against it, it must be strong enough not to break. It can be made of many components and styles, ranging from simple balusters or vertical posts to advanced cable railing.

What Material Helps to Manufacture Stair Handrails & Railings?

The finest material for stair handrails and railings is determined by the staircase’s environment and the desired look. Metals such as steel, aluminum, and wrought iron are popular in commercial and industrial settings and contemporaneous environments, where wood has a more traditional appearance.

Steel:

Stair guardrails and railings for commercial escape routes, stairs, and industrial staircases are constructed of steel. Stair stringers should also be made of steel. Incited or alloy steels steel is frequently used to prevent rusting. Zinc is applied to galvanized steel to prevent corrosive materials from harming the steel beneath.

Aluminum:

Aluminum is a naturally occurring element with a lesser density than other metals, making it lighter than steel. Aluminum has a silvery appearance and is highly reflective. Without any additional treatment, aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant. We can find handrails made of aluminum in a wide variety of places. They are used inside and outside homes, businesses, and industrial buildings. Aluminum stair railings are used on the main deck and entrance steps outside. Aluminum is simple to install and much more suitable for DIY projects than steel because it is considerably lighter. 

Wrought Iron:

Wrought iron is a type of iron alloy with low carbon content. In the mid-nineteenth century, the desire for this malleable material, which was used to achieve a highly decorative impact, peaked. Wrought iron is no longer mass-produced, but it is used for the reconstruction and replication of historical buildings as well as reinforced gratings. Most modern products that resemble wrought iron and are characterized as such are made of mild steel with small carbon content. Interior and exterior staircases in residential and commercial buildings can benefit from wrought iron handrails. Simple and curved stairs can both benefit from wrought iron handrails. Private properties and office buildings both have décor wrought iron stair railings. To accomplish an advanced and dramatic effect, wrought iron balusters are frequently used in conjunction with wood handrails. 

Wood:

For handrails and railings, wood is perhaps the most traditional look material. Red oak, which is simple to stain, sand, and finish, and white oak, which is tougher and more water-resistant, are both popular woods. Stairways handrails and railings can be made of mahogany, ash, cypress, cherry, and a variety of other woods. Handrails made of wood are encountered in houses. Decks, garage stairs, and magnificent staircases in old houses all feature wooden handrails. Wooden handrails, on the other hand, can be combined with much more advanced railing materials like metal or glass to create a unique look.

Glass:

While glass may appear to be a risky material to use in stair design, it is far more durable than it appears. Clear, semi-transparent, tinted, frosted, and etched glass are just some of the options. Stair handrails are rarely made of glass. Handrails with glass railings are usually made of other materials, such as wood or metal. Glass railings can be found in both interiors and exteriors of modern commercial and residential buildings. The stair railing glass panels can be permanently or temporarily framed in stainless steel or aluminum, or they can be completely frameless.

What are the Different Types of Railings for Stairs?

Metal, wood, and glass are some of the materials used to construct stair railings. There are a variety of stair railing designs available, ranging from the traditional picket railing to much more advanced cable railing or panels. 

Picket Stair Railing:

The handrail is supported by vertical posts in the picket railing. The posts are connected to the ground rail or stair treads at the bottom. Wooden or metal pickets are available. They can be plain or ornately designed posts. 

Multi-Line Stair Railing:

Horizontal rods or tubes enlarge from railing post to railing post in multi-line stair railings. To achieve the desired look, the rods or tubes can be of various styles, sizes, and materials. For escape routes stairs and equipment access stairs, multi-line railings are widely used in commercial as well as industrial buildings.

Cable Stair Staircase Railing:

To have a barrier on the side of the stairs, cable stair railings utilize tensile stress, up or down metal cables rather than pickets or panels. Steel, aluminum, and wood are all acceptable materials for handrails and newel posts when using cable railing.

Wire Mesh Infill Stair Railing:

Wire mesh infill railings are made up of four-sided wire panels welded to a frame. The railing system is then attached to these panels. Metals such as stainless steel and aluminum can be used to create wire mesh infill railings. The mesh or opening size, wire diameter, and panel size are usually customs manufactured for this type of railing. In industrial settings and high-traffic commercial areas like stadiums, colleges, and shopping malls, wire mesh infill railings are used. Residential deck stairs can also benefit from wire mesh infill.

Panel Stair Railing:

In the same way that wire mesh infill railing is placed into the railing system, panel stair railing is installed in sections. Glass is commonly used for panel railing, but open metal bars can also be used. It is commonly used outside, but it can also be used inside. Metal panel railing can be used in both residential and commercial settings.

Conclusion:

Staircase railings and handrails focus on providing safety and help prevent accidents and falls for those using the staircase. Even so, these stair parts have a significant impact on the staircase’s appearance. Metal, wood, and glass are some of the materials used for stair railing and handrails. To accomplish a variety of visually attractive and interesting styles, raw items are used for each component.