![]() ![]() Vinyl is often used for the handrail and offers a durable solution for indoor and outdoor needs. Another material not yet mentioned is vinyl. Polished brass, however, is not suitable for outdoor applications. Standard steel can also be used for outdoor parts if given the proper treatment. This process creates a chemical bond that armors components against corrosion. Galvanized steel, which is made through a hot-dip process where steel is dipped in molten zinc. This is because aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant and will last a lifetime in an outdoor setting. Typically, you want the components of your railing to be built from aluminum or galvanized steel when these are an option. Namely, if your spiral stair is outdoors, you want a material that’ll withstand the moisture, heat, and other weather related elements of your outdoor setting. One step to making it last is selecting the correct material for your setting. ![]() If you’re going with aluminum, does it make more sense to have a square or round well enclosure?ĭo you want a wood species that’s easy to paint, stain, or finish for your railing or spindles? Or possibly a mix? So do some research once you discover which species your chosen manufacturer offers and figure out which woods are most susceptible to these.Īs your railing system is your primary safety measure, you want to make doubly sure it’ll last. If you’re selecting wrought iron spindles, which species of wood looks best as a complement for the handrail? These materials each offer different advantages as far as aesthetics and level of maintenance required.Īs you’re looking at the railing holistically, the aesthetics of the matter are more an issue of the picture created once all of the individual components are put together than they are an issue of how each component looks by themselves. As for the handrail itself, you may encounter some more classic materials such as polished brass. In the case of spindles, you may also come across the option of wrought iron. Your material options for these different components vary from aluminum, to steel, to various species of wood. Use your judgment.Īlso, be aware that code laws vary by location, so always check with your local authority. Your personal standard of safety according to your situation may call for some of these to be more strict and some of them to be less so. Keep in mind that these are code requirements. Spindles on handrails and well enclosures are required to be no more than 4” apart. Handrails are required to be at least 34” in height and no more than 38”. In some states this height may be greater, as much as 42”. Working backwards, well enclosures are required to be at least 3’ tall. However, if code is a concern for your particular project, then you want to educate yourself on these requirements and make sure you choose a manufacturer who can build according to them. And code requirement isn’t always necessary, and certainly has nothing to do with the quality of a stair. The coding requirements for each of these components is obviously different as they each perform separate functions. ![]()
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