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2024 Stair Railing Trends Staircases are often the first element seen upon entering the home yet often overlooked during remodeling scenarios. Great stair railing concepts are what separates a common entry staircase and something more eye catching that will inspire interest for the rest of a design. Modern stairways incorporate important elements into modern design. Building media like glass or polished metal as an element of design can compliment a dark wooden floor or a unique slab table and chandelier. There has never been a better time to build an amazing staircase as modern options abound. Additionally, stair remodeling is relatively low impact and turn around times are faster than bathrooms, kitchens etc. CODE STAIR RAILING HEIGHT IN CALIFORNIA Code considerations will always weigh into a stairway design or remodel. Nobody wants to build a beautiful stairway with elaborate railings to find that the local code isn’t satisfied or the homeowner’s insurance company will not sign off on it. Code stair railing height in most locations is 36″ for a barrier railing section. Additional graspable stair railing sections may be needed and should fall between 34″and 38″. For more info on graspable railings please click HERE. The Most Attractive Stair Railings With code considerations for stair railings out of the way; how do we make them cool? Easy – first off incorporate some of your own style or home style into the railing style. Add modern elements like “floating stairs” , lighting, contrast between colors and textures. Modern iterations of classic designs work well. It’s amazing what a stainless cable railing will do to an old stair set. Tie in some dark wood top rail with hardwood flooring. If budget is a concern as it often is; think about refinish possibilities or repurposing and refinishing existing elements if possible. Cheap vs. Expensive Stairways Custom fabricated railing systems, curves, advanced joinery methods, hand carving, etc. are all terms that will likely relate to a higher cost improvement. Glass railings inside the house are much pricier than picket, rod, or cable options. Floating stairs or mono stringers, spirals, and structurally challenging layouts will drive costs. Open designs like cable are great for narrow stairs. If privacy is desired or stairs open to a living space consider etched glass for a feeling of privacy without losing the aesthetic. What About Exterior Stairs!? Many of the same ideas and code requirements apply to exterior stairways. If you have an awesome deck and amazing views you can draw attention to it and attract use with aesthetics. Light up your stairs with tread lighting or post lighting. Lighted stairways are safer and really cool to look at. –Maximize your space – Open air and light penetrating designs are where it’s at unless you absolutely need privacy or wind breaks. Enlarge the perceived space with light friendly stair railings like cable railings and transparent glass panels. DIY the Stairway or Hire a Pro? Stairways can be tricky but we have products and techniques to make your DIY stair railing project easier. Pre made components, tool less fittings, and pre finished materials make your stair railings from SDCR easier. For Jobs that call for something more; we have specialized preferred contractors that can adapt to any building scenario. Give us a call or visit the QUOTE REQUEST form for a free stair railing estimate today. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A QUOTE FROM OUR SALES TEAM! Cable Railing News Stair Railing Ideas MavenSeptember 6, 2024 Safe Deck Railings Pony Wall Railing Renovations MavenAugust 20, 2024 kids and cable railings, Safe Deck Railings Safer Deck Railings MavenJuly 31, 2024 deck railing costs Deck Railing Costs MavenJuly 16, 2024 glass railing posts All Purpose Railing Posts MavenJune 30, 2024 Browse More Posts
Code Compliant Clear Spacing Building codes nationwide hold to a 4″ maximum clear spacing requirement when it comes to constructing new or retrofitting older barrier railings. More simply stated; this means that no gap anywhere on the railing should exceed 4″. Older homes, condos, and apartment buildings with outdated railings may need to be upgraded due to this requirement. Being grandfathered in at an older code spacing requirement may not prevent liability due to possible falls or injury caused by outdated spacing requirements. Newer codes and standards for child safety railings require tighter spacing than standards from decades ago. What’s the reason for newer and tighter spacing requirements? The 4″ max spacing requirement used for current codes was actually designed to prevent small children from being able to force their head or body into and through the gap anywhere on the railing framework. It’s been this way for some time now and it really boils down to child safety requirements. In this article we will share some information necessary to upgrade your railing systems and make them safer for children, pets, and people. Code Railing Height by State Railing height considerations can vary by state and it is recommended that anyone considering new railing construction or retrofit check with local building codes prior to installation. In California, a minimum railing height of 42″ is required. Some states still hold to a 36″ railing height requirement. How do I figure out my railing height? Railing height should be measured from the top of the deck surface to the top of the railing cap member. A good rule of thumb is to measure from multiple locations to ensure uniformity across the surface. Decks and patios can vary, especially when dealing with slopes so it’s best to check height in multiple locations. Railing Gaps, Vertical and Horizontal Member Spacing Checking for gaps along the railing framework is a good way to make sure your railings meet current codes. Child safety railings should not contain any gaps larger than 4″ and there are common locations where this may occur: –Vertical Members – check spacing between pickets, balusters, and or vertical pipes, cables for compliance –Horizontal members– bottom rails spaced from deck surface, horizontal pipe or cable spacing. Cable spacing should not exceed 3″ in order to prevent more than 4″ when spread. Solid horizontal members like pipe and/or wooden railing members that do not move can be spaced at 4″ clear –Panels– glass panels or solid wood, steel or other panels should not contain gaps larger than 4″ in between panels Hiring a Professional for Safer Railings Many people choose to hire a deck builder or railing professional to guarantee safety and code compliance. Hiring a licensed contractor that is familiar with local and current code requirements is a good option for higher risk applications like raised decks, balconies, etc. DIY products and solutions are very popular and effective but there are also applications that are better suited for hiring a professional installer. High rise multi unit complexes, HOA’s, and municipalities are often required to use professional contractors for construction projects. Additionally, insurance claims often require the use of a professional. From a railing application standpoint; stairs, angled applications, large scale projects, commercial, and industrial projects are best handled by licensed professionals. Our team at S.D.C.R. has been fabricating and installing child safe, code compliant railings for nearly 2 decades now. If you are interested in learning more please give us a call or visit the quote request page to receive an estimate. ADA Compliant Railings, Architecture test post MSimontonApril 2, 2024 Cable Railing News, kids and cable railings Child Safety Railings MavenMarch 28, 2024 cable railing code, Cable Railing News Height Standards for Deck Railings MavenMarch 5, 2024 Stainless Steel Cable Railings Choosing the Right Stainless Steel Cable Railing for Your Deck Cole RouseJanuary 24, 2024 Stainless Steel Cable Railings Why Stainless Steel Railings Are a Safe and Sleek Design Option Cole RouseJanuary 24, 2024 Browse More Posts
Keep Your Children and Pets Safe Without Spoiling the View! We recently launched a new page on our website addressing some popular questions on the topic of cable railings and child safety. Children and parents alike love our railings because of the sleek aesthetics and sturdy construction. Animals love cable railings because they have the ability maintain a safe barrier without making our pets feel contained or confined. Here are some additional reasons to consider an SDCR cable railing system for your indoor and outdoor living spaces: Stainless Cable Systems Offer a Modern Look and Feel A Wide Variety of Design Options, Colors and Materials Available No Glass to Clean! No Little Fingerprints Safe, Code Compliant and Engineered Products for Permit Submittals T316 Stainless Offers Unmatched Durability and Corrosion Resistance Cable Railings are DIY Friendly! SDCR team members are always available by phone or online to answer questions and provide estimates for your project. We have DIY packages available, as well as expert preferred installers if you prefer a turn key railing project. For more information about why kids love San Diego Cable Railings, give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page. Kids Love San Diego Cable Railings