What are the different types of handrails for stairs?

Stair handrails aren’t just a functional feature. While their ability to help people climb stairs safely is essential, they also serve a very important aesthetic purpose in homes, commercial buildings and outdoor areas. Crucially, the type, material and style of handrail you choose can either make or break your vision for a space.

However, with so many designs, materials and extra features to choose from, designing a bespoke handrail for your project may be more difficult than you might think. To ensure you get the perfect handrail, you need to have a thorough understanding of the main designs and materials to choose from, and what effect each element will have on a space’s functionality, maintenance and aesthetic value, or you could end up selecting a style that contradicts what you want to achieve.

Want to learn more? Below, we’ll go through the main types of handrails for stairs, helping you recommend the ideal design and materials for your clients. 

Handrails vs bannisters vs balustrades

 

First, let’s clear up some terminology. The terms ‘handrail’, ‘bannister’ and ‘balustrade’ are often used interchangeably, but they actually mean slightly different things. 

A handrail (also called a bannister) is the top part of the staircase, found at arm-level, that helps people climb the stairs safely by providing a structure to hold on to. Typically, handrails for stairs can either be wall-mounted (particularly in enclosed staircases or areas with space constraints) or mounted on top of vertical spindles or ‘balusters’. 

Balustrade refers to the row of balusters that support a handrail, but it can also include the handrail and newel posts too. Bannister can either refer to just the handrail or the entire structure, including the handrail and the railings/balustrade it sits on top of. As you can see, these terms refer to such similar elements, so it’s no wonder that they’re often used as synonyms rather than distinct, separate descriptors.

 

To learn more about staircase terminology, explore our article on what the parts of a staircase are called.

Types of handrail materials

 

Before you even consider handrail styles, you need to think about the material you want to work with. The material of your handrail will have a huge impact on both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the staircase, affecting the entire space as a whole. 

1. Wooden handrails

Wooden handrails are the traditional choice for handrails, creating a warm, timeless appeal. For this reason, wooden handrails are most frequently found in residential properties, especially those with a more traditional or rustic aesthetic. Wood feels comfortable and warm to the touch compared to materials like metal, which is another reason why it’s seen as a more residential material.

Another key benefit of using wood for a handrail is that this material is extremely versatile and customisable. Wooden handrails can be carved, sanded, stained, varnished and painted to fit a client’s exact vision for the space, and if their tastes change over time, wood can be easily sanded down and repainted to refresh its appearance. Plus, these treatments can increase the durability and prolong the lifespan of wood, helping to reduce the risk of issues like wood rot and decay. Thanks to this versatility, wooden handrails can even fit more modern spaces if simple lines, curves and light colours are favoured over traditional, ornate styles. 

In addition to general carving and maintenance, specialised projects can be undertaken to achieve handrail shapes that simply aren’t possible with other materials. For example, 5-axis CNC machining is an amazingly versatile machining process that’s used to craft totally unique wooden handrail styles. This is because these machines use a tool that moves in five different directions, allowing them to modify the piece from any direction or position. Plus, hand carving is also still frequently practised in this industry, enabling customers to commission and design fully bespoke handrails that are made with complete precision. 

However, wood can be less durable and long-lasting than other handrail materials like metal and glass, even with tough hardwood varieties like oak, walnut and sapele. But with the frequency of use expected in domestic properties, bespoke wooden handrails can still last for many, many years – especially if they’re maintained regularly through cleaning and varnishing if applicable. And, since wooden handrails tend to be more affordable (with the exception of more expensive hardwoods), this still represents a fantastic long-term investment for your clients. Oak, walnut and ash remain very popular choices for domestic handrails, with softwoods like pine being more affordable. Softwoods are often used for standard stairs sold by large retailers, whereas specialist handrail designers like Handrail Creations use premium hardwoods for their superior appearance and durability.

2. Metal handrails

Metal handrails are commonly found in commercial and outdoor spaces, but can also be used in modern homes, pairing well with the sleek, clean minimalistic style of metal railings. While metal railings typically aren’t found in more traditional homes (unless you consider wrought-iron handrails, which are frequently found in gardens), they’re a good choice for projects requiring modern, simple design.

Metal handrails also have many practical benefits that recommend them. For instance, metal handrails are easier to clean than wooden varieties, thanks to their simple design and wipeable surface. This makes them a good choice for commercial buildings that experience a lot of footfall and may need to comply with strict hygiene standards, such as public gyms and swimming pools. In addition, metal is extremely long-lasting and durable, so it’s better suited to commercial buildings or public outdoor spaces, where these handrails will experience heavy use. Unlike wood, metals won’t experience adverse effects like wood rot, splitting or sun-bleaching from being left outdoors for long periods of time, which is why you’ll see metal handrails for stairs outdoors more frequently than wooden ones.

Different types of metal have their own unique pros and cons, making them suitable for different applications. Here are a few of the most common metals used for handrails for stairs:

3. Stainless steel

Stainless steel is one of the best and most popular materials for metal handrails, due to its extreme strength and durability, making it a great choice for public projects where safety and long-term cost-effectiveness are paramount. Stainless steel has a chromium-rich oxide film on its surface to resist corrosion, so it’s very easy to maintain in pristine condition. Apart from regular cleaning, stainless steel won’t need any treatments like wood does.

4. Iron

Unlike other metals, wrought-iron handrails have a more traditional appearance due to their popularity in the 1800s and other historical periods (before steel became more commonly used for metal railings). These iron handrails are frequently found in gardens and public outdoor spaces, but they can also be used domestically if they’re used to fit a specific style. Ornate decorative effects, like the addition of iron scrolls and leaves, are common in traditional wrought-iron outdoor railings due to the malleability of iron, but you can customise these handrails to have a simpler, more angular appearance to fit domestic or commercial buildings with an industrial style. 

5. Brass

Another more traditional option for a metal handrail is brass. This type of metal handrail comes in a variety of warm tones, including yellow, red, brown and gold, lending an air of warmth and sophistication to any space. Like other metals, brass is very easy to wipe clean, and since it includes copper, it also has natural anti-microbial properties. 

However, the issue with brass is that it isn’t as durable as other metals. Brass handrails need to be regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent tarnishing, and they are also less suitable for outdoor use due to their tendency to become discoloured.

6. Leather-wrapped handrails

This final option isn’t another type of metal, but it can be applied over metal (or wooden) handrails to give a very high-end appearance. These leather-wrapped handrails can be supplied in a wide range of colours and finishes, allowing you to design a handrail that either perfectly complements an existing colour scheme or acts as an exciting pop of colour or interesting textural element. Plus, by wrapping the wood or metal underneath, the leather will make the handrail warmer, more comfortable, and more luxurious to the touch. This is an increasingly popular stylistic choice for high-value homes, hotels and restaurants.

For a more in-depth comparison of the advantages, disadvantages, and best locations for wooden handrails and metal handrails, make sure you read our article on wooden vs. metal handrail design before recommending a handrail material to your clients.

7. Glass handrails and balustrades

A less common, but increasingly popular, choice for a handrail material is glass. Perfect for modern homes and commercial buildings, glass handrails or balustrades are an extremely aesthetically pleasing, yet simple, feature that improves the flow of light around a room – making it seem more spacious and open. Despite what you may think, glass handrails and balustrades are actually very sturdy and durable, as they’re made from toughened glass that’s heat-treated to improve its strength. If this toughened glass does break, it’s designed to shatter into small, blunt pieces rather than dangerous shards.

Rather than being made completely from glass, glass bannisters tend to have a wooden or metal handrail on top to make them easier to hold. The glass balustrade panels can be customised to be completely clear, frosted, tinted or semi-transparent, making them suitable for a wide range of building styles. However, with clear panels, marks and fingerprints can easily gather on the surface and mar the appearance of the structure, so they may need to be cleaned more often.

Another key downside of glass balustrades is that they are difficult and time-consuming to manufacture and install. As you can imagine, glass panels can be very brittle when installing them, making this process much more tricky. It’s possible to manufacture curved glass if this is needed for your project, but since glass can only curve to a certain radius without breaking, this means that glass panels can’t be made to tight tolerances, which is problematic if you’re working with very strict design parameters. Plus, these curved glass panels can be very expensive too.

Types of railing designs

 

The type of handrail you choose will be affected by the design of the balustrades/railing. Here are some of the most common railing designs on indoor and outdoor bannisters:

1. Picket railing

Perhaps the most common type of railing is a picket railing, which consists of vertical posts, balusters and spindles that support the handrail on top. These railings are suitable for any location (including indoors and outdoors) and material, but it’s essential that the gaps between the balusters or spindles do not exceed 100 mm to comply with UK building regulations. 

The spindles for a picket railing can be made from many different materials, allowing you to customise this type of railing to suit any environment. For instance, traditional cast iron spindles are a very common feature in outdoor railings and older buildings, whereas timber spindles (made from a variety of hardwoods or softwoods) are often found in residential properties or commercial locations like high-end hotels. Nowadays, it’s also very common to see laser-cut spindles for modern metal railings, which means unique shapes can be manufactured much more easily than before.

Picket railings are very commonly found in residential buildings, especially when made from wooden materials. As such, classic wooden handrails are a perfect choice for this type of railing.

2. Panel railing

A panel railing features panels instead of vertical posts or spindles, making the entire staircase enclosed. Glass panel railings are a beautiful feature in modern buildings that let in plenty of light, whereas metal panel railings can be found in some industrial or commercial areas for enhanced safety or wind protection.

Metal or wooden handrails will be installed on top of the panels to complete the balustrade. Wooden handrails are particularly effective if you want an incredibly versatile material that can be manipulated to suit modern designs, more traditional settings, and very unique handrail projects.

3. Cable railing

Cable railings use high-tension cables instead of posts as balusters, which can be in a vertical or horizontal position. The thinner cables provide a more modern appearance and can let in more light thanks to the greater amount of open space. These railings are popular in the US, but UK building regulations often prohibit the installation of cable railings because they’re deemed to be a ‘climbable structure’.

Due to the use of metal cables, a metal handrail is usually the best choice for this type of railing.

4. Wire mesh railing

Usually found in high-traffic commercial spaces or industrial areas, wire mesh railings are made from panels of metal wires in a mesh configuration. This provides extra strength and safety, without completely enclosing the staircase like panel railings do.

Again, like with cable railings, metal wire mesh railings are best paired with metal handrails.

Integrated vs wall-mounted handrails

 

The constraints of the space must also be considered when designing stair handrails. Often, the choice of whether you need to install integrated or wall-mounted handrails will depend on the amount of space available. Here’s all you need to know about these types of handrails:

1. Integrated handrails

This refers to handrails that are installed on top of a balustrade. Integrated handrails are required for open staircases (i.e. without a wall on both sides), as the railing is needed to prevent people from falling off the stairs. Integrated handrails can either be grooved or ungrooved.

Grooved handrails

As the name suggests, grooved handrails feature a groove on the bottom that’s designed to fit the balusters neatly inside for a fully integrated installation. This works for both vertical posts and panels; for example, glass handrails will feature a deep channel along their entire length to fit the glass balustrade panels inside. The grooved handrail must be customised to the exact size of the balusters, so that they fit together snugly. Here at Handrail Creations, we use state-of-the-art 3D surveying equipment to measure the exact dimensions of the staircase, allowing us to create grooved handrails with full confidence that they will fit first time.

Ungrooved handrails

Ungrooved handrails are fitted to the balusters with brackets or clamps, rather than being fully integrated. Ungrooved handrails are better for glass or metal railings, and can be used for wall-mounting too.

2. Wall-mounted handrails

For enclosed staircases that don’t have space for a full bannister, wall-mounted handrails are perfect for conserving space, whilst also providing adequate safety and comfort. These handrails are mounted directly onto the enclosing wall at arm height, either attaching flush to the wall or with separate fixtures. Types of wall-mounted handrails include:

Pig’s ear handrails

These wall-mounted handrails are fixed directly to the wall with screws and feature a curved shape that looks like a pig’s ear from the side, hence the name. Since they sit so close to the wall, they’re an excellent choice for very narrow staircases, and they can also be more cost-effective since brackets aren’t needed. 

Wood is commonly used for pig’s ear handrails because it can be easily carved and sanded down to the desired shape. Plus, since wood is more comfortable and warm to the touch, this makes them even more sleek and easy to grip.

Mopstick handrails

The mopstick handrail is a classic cylindrical shape with a flattened base. While the mopstick handrail can be any material (but most commonly wood or metal), the handrail brackets that attach it to the wall tend to be made of metal. This ensures that the handrail is securely fastened to the wall for optimum safety and longevity. Due to this focus on safety, commercial projects require a mopstick handrail section to comply with UK building regulations.

You can also find fully cylindrical handrails, but these are more common with metal handrails.

Square handrail

Squared or blocky handrails are another handrail design choice, often made from wooden materials. A chunky, square, wooden handrail is often a strong and rustic design choice for domestic properties. However, with other materials or a glass panel balustrade, this angular design can look modern and industrial.

Bespoke handrails

For unique projects featuring unconventional spaces or very specific aesthetic requirements, fully bespoke handrails (either wall-mounted or integrated) are the best choice. Although this option is more expensive, choosing a bespoke handrail will mean that the perfect piece can be created for the project – especially if you’re working with spiral staircases, highly artistic custom staircase designs, or a very particular client. 

With a bespoke handrail, you can choose the exact style you want without being constrained by what’s available on the market, so whether you need an elaborately ornate style or something cutting-edge and modern, you can design the ideal handrail that effortlessly combines functionality and beauty. Handrail accessories like unique, custom-made end caps and wall patrices can then be added for the finishing touches.

Looking for a lovingly crafted, bespoke wooden handrail? Here at Handrail Creations, we design, manufacture and install wooden handrails to suit all kinds of residential and commercial projects, working with our clients from inception to completion to bring their exact vision to life. Get in touch today for a consultation, or visit our website for expert advice on your upcoming project.