What is a handrail volute?

A volute is a decorative architectural element that you may have seen before on staircase handrails. These curved components are found at the start of a handrail, making elegant additions to traditional wooden handrails, but they do have practical benefits too.

Keep reading to learn more about what volutes are, the common types of handrail volutes, and why you should consider incorporating this element into your bespoke wooden handrail design.

What is a handrail volute?

In the context of a handrail, “volute” refers to an optional spiral-curved section at its base. They are used to create a smooth visual transition, while also adding grandeur to the design. A handrail with a volute is also commonly called a monkey tail handrail due to its distinctive shape.

Volutes work especially well with spiral and curved handrails, elongating their form and smoothly transitioning to the end of the structure. Volutes are most commonly seen in oak, pine, or ash handrails as wood is easiest to hand-carve into an ornate spiral. However, with the development of CNC machining, metal handrails can  now be precisely carved into volute shapes too. 

Why have a volute for stairs?

If you or a client are designing a new staircase, here are the main reasons why you may want to include volutes or monkey tail handrails in your bespoke handrail design:

1. Visual appeal

If you want a traditional and timeless feel, consider adding a monkey tail handrail. Because they’ve been used for centuries – millennia even – volutes evoke that feeling in a viewer even if they aren’t aware of the historical context of the design. Very simply, when you add a volute, stairs just look nicer.

2. Ergonomics and safety

Volutes are comfortable to hold and easy to grip. Plus, monkey tail handrails add strength to the structure as there is usually a volute newel post or a collection of spindles underneath them, and this helps to reduce movement in the bannister.

3. Saving space

Using curves rather than sharp angles can save space and allow for a tighter turn if needed. If you’re short on space, curved or totally bespoke staircases may be needed to make the most of the space you’re working with.

Types of handrail volutes

Not all volute handrails or monkey tail handrails are the same. Depending on your preferences, you can customise your volute to match almost any style.

Scroll volute

Looking for a more traditional design? Choose an ornate, scroll-style volute. Depending on how elaborate you want your design to be, you could add curved embellishments to suggest leaves, vines, waves and more. Take inspiration from Classical architecture – especially Roman and Greek Corinthian columns!

We recommend using premium hardwoods for a scroll volute. These are exceptionally durable and can be hand-carved into incredibly detailed designs.

Curved volute

If you prefer modern minimalism, forgo the decorative scrollwork and stick to a simple curved volute. These simple monkey tail handrails can be made from wood or metal, but we would recommend wooden materials as wooden handrails are much more comfortable to grip.

Custom volute

If you have a specific monkey tail handrail design in mind, we can create a bespoke volute handrail to suit your staircase precisely. Volutes can be crafted in two sections or three sections, depending on the overall size and scale of the design, ensuring the finished handrail remains balanced, strong and visually correct.

Pre-made handrails often fall short when it comes to non-standard dimensions, larger volutes or unique staircase layouts, and it’s also essential to choose the correct left- or right-hand volute based on the orientation of your stairs. By manufacturing each volute to order, we can ensure the proportions, flow and finish are exactly right for your space.

Whatever you need, get in touch with Handrail Creations to discuss your bespoke handrail volute requirements.

How do I design a handrail volute?

At Handrail Creations, we regularly install custom-made volute handrails. Speaking from experience, here’s everything you need to think of when you design one.

• Dimensions. Precise measurements are essential when planning a volute handrail. The bottom two or three treads should be carefully measured in plan view to ensure there is enough space for the curve to sit correctly. Where a staircase has two bottom treads, the volute should finish over tread number two, not tread number one, to achieve the correct proportion, alignment and overall finish.
• Style. Does your handrail design work well with the rest of the space?
• Building regulations. Does your handrail volute design work with UK building regulations? This is especially important if you’re designing a staircase for a public or commercial building, as you may have to adhere to stricter standards.
• Material. Should you choose wooden vs metal handrails? Consider things like hygiene, style, cost, maintenance requirements and ergonomics here. 
• Budget. Naturally, it’s important that your proposed design fits within your budget. We can advise you on costs and how to get the handrail you want at a price that works for you. 

Volute installation

Once your volute handrail or monkey tail handrail design is finalised, we can begin the manufacturing and installation process. With our end-to-end bespoke handrail service, we handle everything from initial designs to finishing touches, keeping things simple for you.

All handrail components are manufactured according to exact measurements and specifications, allowing us to assemble and install the whole structure on-site. Volutes can either be integrated in this way or carved directly onto the handrail. And thanks to our precision CNC machining process, all separate components are measured with total accuracy to ensure they will integrate seamlessly during on-site installation, minimising time and material wastage.

Our on-site CSCS-qualified craftsmen take pride in the finished product and will ensure that you’re 100% satisfied with the installation. We’re also accustomed to working under pressure as we are often one of the final trades onsite, which means we can work to the tightest of deadlines without compromising on quality and customer satisfaction. 

Ready to design your ideal volute handrail? Get in touch with Handrail Creations – the bespoke handrail experts. We manufacture bespoke wooden handrails to suit both residential and commercial projects, and use state-of-the-art 3D surveys, digital design software, and precision CNC machining to create traditional and contemporary handrail styles. Enquire now or discover our blog for more expert staircase and handrail advice.