Everything you need to know about wall mounted handrails
Everything you need to know about wall mounted handrails
The popularity of wall mounted handrails continues to rise. With more and more designs and individual parts becoming available, the beauty of wall mounted handrails is you can either opt for a pre-defined style or make up your own eye-catching design using a different range of parts.
Typically, a wall mounted handrail is used where a staircase if fully enclosed with a wall to both sides. However, there are instances where on wider staircases (such as those over 1m wide) a wall mounted handrail can accompany the opposite handrail, providing increased safety.
Below we provide you with the information needed when trying to decide on the right type of wall mounted handrail for your home.
Types of wall mounted handrail:
The two most popular styles of wall mounted handrail are Pigs Ear handrails and Mopstick handrails.
Pigs Ear handrails are a popular choice with our customers as they can be fixed directly to a flat wall without brackets. They sit close to the wall, which makes them perfect for narrow staircases.
Available in lots of great timber choices such as Pine, White Oak, White Primed, Hemlock, Dark Hardwood, Ash and Walnut, there’s plenty of scope for creating a traditional or contemporary look on your staircase through staining, painting or varnishing. Pigs Ear Handrails are finished with wooden cross grain (tapered) pellets, which are used to fill the holes drilled into the handrail to secure it to the wall.
Mopstick handrails are fixed to the wall by handrail brackets making them a popular choice for customers looking for a more decorative handrail. These are available in a wealth of timbers and metal, but if possible, we’d recommend painting or staining wooden handrails before you fit to the brackets to avoid getting any paint on the brackets.
Things to consider when choosing your wall mounted handrail:
Firstly, you’ll need to work out the length of handrail needed. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of steps on your stairway and multiply by 13”. You’ll also need to remember to add any additional length required at the top or bottom of your staircase. If you’re hiring a joiner to fit the handrail, they will be able to confirm the exact measurements needed.
Secondly, you’ll need to decide on the style, shape and material of your handrail. Take into consideration your surrounding décor. We have plenty of options available on our site and are sure to have something to fit in with your home style.
Next, there is a wide choice of handrail end caps which can be used on the handrails, ideal for finishing off your wall mounted handrail project in a style that matches the surrounding decor. These come in brass, chrome, metal and nickel to add a contemporary and finished look to your handrail.
Finally, if you went for a mopstick handrail, you’ll need to choose on a set of handrail brackets that complements your handrail. You will need a bracket at least every 4’. So, let’s say you are installing a handrail 8’ in length - you would need a handrail bracket at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom.
Our handrail wall brackets come in many different styles including brushed nickel, brass, chrome and black metal.
