Weybridge
Residential Property
The Weybridge project is one of the clearest demonstrations of what our bespoke balustrade work involves. Set in a private estate in Surrey, it called for over 20 metres of continuous curved handrail in European Oak, helical in places, fitted to a cantilever stone staircase and finished with a brass balustrade at the main entrance of the home.
A cantilever stone staircase gives you almost no margin. The treads carry themselves, so the balustrade and handrail have to follow the sweep of the stair precisely rather than being scribed in afterwards. Complicating matters further, no accurate drawings of the staircase existed.
A Custom Balustrade Designed From a 3D Scan
With nothing reliable to work from, our team 3D scanned the staircase and plotted it digitally before any component was drawn. That scan became the basis for both the handrail profile and the balustrade layout, so the geometry was captured from the building itself rather than assumed from drawings.
The handrails were then machined on our CNC equipment and pre-drilled on the underside, allowing the cast metal spindles to attach directly with no separate core rail. Taking the measurements digitally is what makes a custom balustrade viable on a staircase with a helical run, because every spindle sits at a slightly different angle.
Brass Electroplating and a Hand-Finished Oak Handrail
The balustrade was electroplated in brass to achieve an antique finish, with slightly different colours brought out on the nodes at the centre of each spindle so the run has depth rather than reading as a single flat tone. It’s a detail you notice at close quarters and on the approach, which matters on a staircase positioned at the main entrance.
The European Oak handrails were French polished on site once installed, both to bring out the grain of the timber and to seal the surface against oil damage from daily use. Finishing in situ means the final appearance is completed as part of the installation, with the wooden handrail and the brass balustrade judged together rather than separately.
Looking for a Custom or Bespoke Balustrade Design?
From brass and steel balustrades to curved and continuous timber handrails, Handrail Creations can survey, design, manufacture and install a balustrade built around your staircase, including cantilever and helical designs. Browse our residential projects or contact our team to talk yours through.
Frequently asked questions
Can you design a balustrade without existing drawings?
Yes. At Weybridge no accurate drawings were available, so we 3D scanned the staircase and plotted it digitally. The balustrade and handrail were then designed from the scan, which captures the structure as built rather than as originally drawn.
What is a cantilever staircase?
One where the treads are supported from the wall at one end and appear to float, with no visible structure beneath them. It puts more emphasis on the balustrade, because the handrail line is one of the few elements defining the staircase visually.
Can a balustrade be finished in brass?
It can. The Weybridge balustrade was electroplated in brass for an antique finish, with the nodes at the centre of the spindles brought out in slightly different tones. Electroplating is applied to the fabricated components rather than being a surface paint.
Why French polish a handrail on site?
Finishing in situ lets the final appearance be judged against the installed balustrade and the surrounding interior. It also seals the timber against oil damage from hands, which matters on a staircase in daily use.
Do you manufacture helical and curved handrails?
Yes. Over 20 metres of curved and helical European Oak handrail were produced for this project. Digital surveying, CAD and CNC machining are used together where the handrail has to follow a true helical sweep.