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Tuesday, 18th July 2017 Handrails

Where to Buy Stair Handrail in Melbourne?

We stock handrails crafted in standard grade and marine grade stainless steel to suit all sorts of staircases. Whether you have a traditional staircase or a spiral staircase, we can fabricate a handrail or supply the tube to suit your requirements. We also stock handrail accessories such as mounting brackets, end caps, posts, joiners and much more.

Our round tube handrail is popular for its simplicity and versatility. Our square tube and rectangular tube handrails are modern and elegant. Our slotted tube handrails can offer a flush finish mounted over glass. All types of handrails can be fabricated according to your specifications and design requirements of your clients. The handrail can be positioned on mounting brackets to the side, or directly above the balustrade.

Stair Handrail Types & Their Use

The two main types of staircase handrails are integrated and wall-mounted. The design of your staircase will determine which type of handrail would be best suited for your project.

Integrated handrails

This type of handrail style runs along the top of the spindles to form part of the staircase balustrade.

When selecting a handrail to incorporate within a balustrade, there is a choice of either a grooved or ungrooved style.

Stairway handrails with a 32mm or 41mm groove tend to be used with spindles. Ungrooved handrails are best used with metal spindles, glass panels and clamps, or as a wall-mounted handrail. In both cases, the handrail is supported at either end by a newel post.

Grooved handrails

When it comes to grooved handrails, the spindle sits within the groove of the handrail. As an example, a 32mm spindle would sit in a 32mm grooved handrail.

The total measurement of a handrail here remains the same, it is the size of the groove that differs. For example, a 32mm or 41mm grooved handrail has the same complete dimension.

Ungrooved handrails

These handrails are better matched to glass panels or metal spindles as the brackets/clamps or spindle foot can screw straight into the rail. Ungrooved handrails are usually also wall-mounted.

Wall-mounted

Wall-mounted handrails are a detached component to the balustrade and can be used together with a balustrade or in place of one in enclosed staircases. Two popular styles of wall-mounted handrails are pigs ear and mopstick.

Pigs ear handrails

This style is a popular choice for wall-mounted handrails as they can be secured directly to the wall without the need for brackets.

These handrails offer an exceptional grip and sit on or close to the wall, making them the supreme choice for narrow staircases. You are able to fill the screw holes by fastening the handrail to the wall with a cross grain pellet (a tapered wooden pellet).

Mop stick handrails

This style is secured to the wall by handrail brackets, making them a more decorative and eye-pleasing option.

Handrail end caps can also be added to style and finish off the look, with designs and types ranging from beautiful antique designs to modern contemporary varieties.

Material options for handrails

Wall-mounted handrails are generally made from wood. However, there is a growing trend for sleek metal handrails and accessories to suit more contemporary settings. Metal handrails are usually designed to be wall-mounted. Wooden hand rails, however, can be mounted to the wall or to the top of a balustrade.

How to Install a Stair Handrail on Stairs

After selecting your desired handrail material and type, you can start the installation process by locating the studs and determining the standard handrail height in accordance with Australian building code requirements.

Once you’ve located the studs (we recommend using a stud finder and some non-invasive masking tape to mark the stud spots), use the masking tape placed on these spots as a guide on how high your handrails will be.

You’ll next need to either cut the railing according to your measurements or have one of our expert staff handle this part of the job for you. You will then need to glue on the short horizontal section at the top and use each stair’s nose as a guide to place the railing, parallel to each stair.

Next, start cutting a 45-degree angle on one end of the railing and rest this end on the floor. This cut is for the short return to the wall.

Now you will need to test the fit of the handrail joint. Ensure it is long enough to extend a few inches past the next stud so you can add a wall-mounted handrail bracket under it.

From here, you’ll need to glue the joint and then align the top of the stair guard rail. Mark the underside of each rail to the stud marking on the wall alongside the staircase, centring then the rail bracket by locating the centre of the stud.

After drilling pilot holes through the centre of the stud, readying for rail bracket screws, screw each bracket to the wall and begin attaching the rail to the brackets.
Finally, measure and install all returns to complete your stair handrail. This part is crucial (as well as necessary by compliance) so as to not risk clothing or bag straps getting caught and risking a potential fall of the person using the stairs.

Handrail Height & Australian Standards

Even though handrails can be aesthetically pleasing, their main purpose is to ensure safety for those using stairs. The Australian Building Code, therefore, specify measurements and enforce these requirements. However, requirements can vary depending on your building type classification.

According to the ABC,a handrail height should be no less than 865mm from the nosing of the stair treads.

As a minimum requirement, internal handrails to a flight of stairs must be implemented and accessible on at least one side of the stairway, and for the entire length of the stairs. It must be continuous and have no obstructions that may break a handhold.

The way the hand railing is attached to indoor stairs must be compliant with ABC’s AS1428. 1-2009 stating. A handrail is required for all staircases 1 metre and above from the ground. These same requirements are also relevant to outdoor stairs.

For more information regarding safety on staircase regulations or on the process of installing a staircase handrail in Melbourne, give us a call today and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be able to clarify any of your queries.

We stock a wide range of accessories to complete your stair handrail project. We have adjustable joiners and handrail brackets that can suit a tailored handrail design. You will not be limited to constructing a straight line handrail because our accessories will allow you to wrap your handrail around something and perform various angle bends to suit various applications.

We spend considerable time on our quality process and source components from reputable manufacturers to ensure you get consistent quality at a fair price. Find structurally sound and cost effective fittings for your next project at Keble’s Trading. Drop by one of our many store locations or give us a call on 1800 067 687 to discuss your next handrail order.

Stair Handrail – FAQs

Question: Is it a legal requirement to have the handrail of a stair?

Answer: Yes, it is a legal requirement by the Australian Building Code to have handrails installed alongside any stairs that lead to 1 meter or above the ground.

Question: Where should a handrail start and stop?

Answer: According to safety regulations, a handrail should begin at the top of a staircase and end at the bottom of a staircase.

Question: Do I need a stair handrail for 3 steps?

Answer: If these three steps amount to 1 meter above ground or more, then yes, you will need a stair handrail.

Question: Do stairs need handrails on both sides?

Answer: The minimum requirement by ABC is that handrails be provided on at least one side of the staircase with side preference being a personal choice.

Question: How do you build a stair handrail?

Answer: Refer to our question above for a step by step list of instructions on how to install handrails for stairs. For any further queries on this, please give us a call.

Related Article – Buy Stair Handrail

 

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