Getting a grip of handrails

Getting a grip of handrails

By hosea omole

Handrails are important safety features in the landscape for securing the edges of raised decks, steps, ramps and bridges. But they are also ornamental.

An example of an accessorised deck railing.

Should you decide you want handrails that have character; that add safety comfort and style to your home; that are not a replica of the city council ones that line the streets of Nairobi, here are a few things you need to know.

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Function

A good handrail should not only meet safety needs, it should also be easy and comfortable to grasp and use. Although the design will vary depending on where it has been applied, some general minimum standards should be adhered to.

For rails that secure edges more than 750mm above the adjacent ground or in places to be used by disabled persons or children, safety takes precedence. A ramp, for instance, requires both sides to be fitted with 800mm high handrails to allow wheelchair users to pull themselves up the ramp. Steps, on the other hand, require a 900mm high railing on one side.

Similarly, the arrangement of the horizontal rails and vertical balusters will depend on the desired end result as well as the function. For instance, a 200mm wide balustrade placed an inch apart will offer privacy and allow gentle breezes to filter through.

The actual handrail (part where you grab) should be smooth and comfortable to hold with a grip width of about 30mm while the distances between horizontal rails or vertical balusters should be no more than 200mm wide.

Material and style

Handrails, like other hardscape features, can be fashioned from a wide variety of materials, the most common ones being timber, metal and moulded concrete. Timber is natural, warm and elegant. Steel, on the other hand, looks modern and contemporary but may be a little cold for some people. Moulded concrete attempts to mimic the traditional marble balustrades that have become nearly extinct due to their premium costs.

Whichever materials you choose to go with, apply them consistently throughout the site and don’t be tempted to mix more than two unless you are a professional. Also, remember that some materials mix better than others.

Accessorising your handrails adds both life and function to them. Rail planters are now quite common additions to deck rails or other horizontal rails.