Easy to Install Outdoor Handrail Kits for Your Home
The Surface 518 is our most popular Simple Rail handrail. It is easy to install and can be used on almost any set of stairs. This railing is great for insurance compliance on the stairs of your home or any other area where you need handrail accessibility.
The Hybrid 518/570 allows you to attach to a wall on one end and the ground on the other. This is helpful when you need to ascend out of a basement area or attach to an existing wall on one end while allowing the railing to be free standing on the other end.
The Surface L160 is more difficult than some of the other Simple Rail stair handrails to build, but it has an elegant, finished look. Whether you are building the railing in steel or aluminum, this video will show you how the step handrail goes together.
Not every handrail installation requires the exact same processes. This area is designed to provide general installation instruction for the common elements of handrail installation.
Remember what your Dad told you "Measure Twice, Cut Once" You know the phrase! Figuring out the measurements for your handrail requires some attention to detail. There are two ways to figure it out the dimension for your grab rail, and how you do it probably depends on how much you like math.
This simple way to do this is to have someone stand at the bottom of the steps holding the end of the measuring tape. Walk to the top of the stairs while each of you holds the measuring tape 3 feet off the ground. Record the length when you have positioned the ends where you want the railing to begin and end.
The mathematical way of calculating would be to measure the rise and run of the steps and then calculate the length of the railing by the following formula:
Railing Length = √ height2 + length2
The square root of the height squared plus the length squared will give you the proper length of your railing.
Common Question: What's the standard railing height?
Answer: Standard railing height ranges from no less than 30 in. to no more than 37 in. according to OSHA code 1926.1052 if being used as a handrail installation. If a railing is over 37 in., an OSHA handrail must be installed between the standard 30 in. and 37 in.
Whether you are mounting to the wall or to the ground, be sure that the area is cleaned so that it can receive the base flange or railing bracket without obstruction.
Common Question: How many steps can you have without a handrail?
Answer: According to OSHA code 1926.1052(c), four or more risers, or stairways rising more than 30 inches (whichever is less), requires at least one handrail between 30 and 37 inches from the surface of the stair tread.
Anchoring to Concrete or Masonry
Anchoring to Wood
In most cases, this is as simple as slipping the upright into the base flange and tightening the set screws in the fittings. Use a level to ensure that the post is plumb.
This will be different for each kind of railing. The key here is not to attach the fitting too tightly. Attach the bracket or fitting just enough so that adjustments can be made. You will probably not want to make your final tightening until after the railing has been attached.
When it comes to the differences in the handrail kits, attaching the railing to the handrail brackets is where there is the most diversity. Some railings will be much easier to attach than others.
Once your entire railing is assembled, you'll want to pound the pipe caps into the exposed ends of the railings and posts. It is best to do this with a rubber mallet. If you don't have a rubber mallet, then cover the cap with a piece of cardboard to protect the metal from scratches while you pound it in with a standard hammer.
Now that you're done building the railing, it's best to go back through the railing and make sure that everything is tightened appropriately. If your railing is painted, touch up any paint you have nicked during the installation.
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