Stairway Railings - Stair Railing Ideas

Staircases are an integral part of apartments, villas, bungalows, cottages, offices, factories, warehouses and almost every other type of building. Though their fundamental purpose is to enable people to move between different floors of a building, staircases also play a major part in adding to the visual appeal of the architecture.

Stairways can be enhanced by using a variety of railings. Stairway railings are not only important from the point of view of safety of the users, but they also add great value to the aesthetics of the entire stairway, and the surrounding areas. Railings are available in a wide range of materials and designs. Here are a few interesting railing ideas which are a little challenging, and yet simple enough for a regular do-it-yourselfer.

Stair Railing Basics
A lot of thinking needs to be done while constructing a stair railing. Stairways and railings are pretty inter-dependent and this must be remembered while designing the stair railing. Along with providing safety and ease-of-use, it should also complement the staircase, steps and the room interiors. It should not be too bulky or heavy. At the same time, it should not be jittery or fragile either. The weight and dimensions of the railing should be such that it does not weigh down the staircase and yet, remains comfortable for users.

Stairway Railing Ideas

Wooden Railings: This is the oldest and most common type of staircase railing known. Wooden railings have been popular over the years thanks to their traditional look and the instant feeling of warmth and homeliness that they bring about. They give a very classy and elegant touch to the stairway and are the favored form of railing in historical places, museums, government buildings, libraries, etc. Most wooden railings are made out of oak and cedar, although mahogany and teak can also be substituted at times. Wooden railings can be designed in a variety of ways and are equally suitable for straight staircases as well as curved ones. Their color tends to change a bit with age, and this only adds to their charm and beauty. They can also be further accessorized by fitting equally-spaced iron balusters which gives the entire railing a vintage yet contemporary look.

Iron Railings: Iron railings are equally popular and are widely used in homes, offices, hotels and other outdoor locations. They offer a greater number of creative options, as compared to wooden railings. Iron railings can be designed in a multitude of patterns without running the risk of being repetitive. They can also be combined with wooden handrails to give a chic mix 'n' match effect. Sections of wrought iron railing interspersed with individual wooden posts or balusters, is another example of traditional-meeting-contemporary. Wrought iron rods are powder-coated, and therefore, well-protected from dirt, dust, moisture and other atmospheric factors. Iron railings offer a significant advantage in the fact that they are almost maintenance free.

Balustrade: A balustrade consists of a line or series of individual balusters, and is very well-suited for internal as well as external railings. Balustrading seamlessly incorporates new designs and materials with traditional ones, and has, therefore, become a very popular style of stairway railing all over the world. Balustrading makes it possible to combine a variety of materials such as aluminum, steel, sheet glass, wooden posts, wrought iron rods, wires and even vinyl fences to come up with stylish, modern and yet sturdy railings.

For homeowners, stairway railings are a very important aspect of interior design and home decor. With a host of stairway railing ideas, and many other accessories like custom handrail fittings, newel posts and iron twists, designing a new staircase railing is truly an exciting activity that every home owner can look forward to!