 |
||||
Porch Hand RailsFrom Code Requirements to Building OptionsPorch hand rails have strict construction requirements to ensure safety and integrity. Knowing the basic requirements and options for building stair hand rails or deck hand rails will save you both time and money.If looking for design ideas for outdoor stair rails, we have information along with a gallery of photos depicting various design options in our stair hand rails section Many hand rail systems, some are pre-assembled, are designed to ensure these requirements are met. Choosing the right system can make building your porch hand rails easy. 
Outdoor Hand Rails - General Code RequirementsIt is imperative you check with your local building codes department to obtain the specific requirements for hand rails in your community before you build! Here's a list of general building codes you can use to check with your local codes department.
A minimum of 1.5 inches is usually required between the handrail and another object like
a post or wall.
Porch Hand Rail OptionsOutdoor hand rails can be made from materials such as wood, composites, wrought iron, metal, and aluminum.Metal Hand Rails
You can find steel railing at most home improvement stores and it does not require
any welding. You can cut it with a hacksaw. It is bendable so it makes it easy to install
for porch hand rails.
PVC or Vinyl Hand Rails
If you want low maintenance and durability consider PVC or vinyl hand rail systems. They
are very popular and fairly easy to install. Most PVC railing systems have wood or metal inserts. Vinyl
railings usually do not.
Most kits come with everything you need, top and bottom rails, pickets, and mounting brackets. Often times they are pre cut to save time and for easier installation like this one from L.B. Plastics, Inc. They advertise their kits are designed for standard sized steps (7” to 11” rise to run) and include adjustable step adapters which are used to adjust for various angles. Another system I like is from Southern Vinyl Manufacturing. They have an extensive library of installation videos (like the one below) for their products along with a seemingly great product line. It's worth checking out. Composite Hand RailsComposites are another option you might want to consider. Composite materials last longer than wood and are maintenance free. They have the look and feel of wood, never need painting, and are resistant to fading.Wood
Still the most popular front porch and deck hand rail system, wood can be as simple or as ornate as you would like. I've constructed several wood hand rails and can attest the trickiest part is finding the correct angle for cuts. Once that's done, assembly is fairly easy given you can use prefabricated wooden top and bottom rails (available at home supply stores). Pickets fit into pre-cut holes making it a simple job. Wrought Iron Hand Rails
Although there aren't too many true wrought iron railings (most are made from other metals), wrought
iron does make a nice statement like the one pictured at right from WroughtIronSolutions.com.
If stair hand rails are of interest, you might also want to check out our Porch Steps and How To Build Steps sections for even more ideas!
~~~ Signup for free porch tips in your in box. For a limited time, we are sharing our special family cookie recipe with you. ~~~
Return from Porch Hand Rails to Porch Anatomy 
|
Build a Porch Topics
How to build a patio porch Find a local contractor Porch Components Porch roof construction Porch ceilings Porch columns Porch railings & kneewalls Porch flooring Porch flooring videos Porch steps How to build steps Porch hand rails Wheelchair ramp Porch decking materials Porch skirting Vinyl lattice panels Porch foundations Ledger flashing Brick flashing Exterior front doors Exterior house trim Wooden screen door Instant screen door Porch lighting Porch paint Porch electrical systems Build Screen Porches Build a screen porch-1 Build a screen porch-2 Screened porch kits Build a three season porch Screen panels for porches Porch screening Other Choosing a contractor Electrical code requirements Electrical modifications Building permits Calculate rise and run Our Sponsors 
Vintage Woodworks For Your Porch Parts 
Acurio Latticeworks Custom Vinyl Lattice Panels 
EzeBreeze It! Don’t Just Screen It. 
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Front Porch Designs Home | Return to Top Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Search | Site Map | What's New Media | Privacy Policy | Disclosure | Legal Notice | Resources We may earn a commission by referring you to some products on our site. See our disclosure policy. Thank you. 
|
||||
|
Content and photos may not be reproduced in any way without our permission. Powered by Site Build It! 
| ||||
