Outdoor Handrail Installation

[SmootSmack]

So I'm looking to install a handrail for the steps outside my house. Trying to decide what material would be best.

PVC, Aluminum, Iron?

It's just three steps. Looking for something that's relatively affordable, but more importantly that doesn't require all that much maintenance long term

Any suggestions?

[Monkeydad]

I like the look of wrought iron balusters with a wooden top railing personally.

Something like this would look nice:


All you need is the wood the wood and a spade drill bit to install.



If you're looking at low maintenance, PVC is the way to go and it's the easiest to cut when installing.

Just take a look at Lowe's, they have a ton of different options.

[Monkeydad]

Actually, those are side-mounted installation. even easier.

This, just diagonally-positioned:






You could also encase it on both sides so you don't see the tops of each baluster.

[firstdown]

Iron looks great but will need painting over the years. PVC is nice on a back deck but I'm not big on its use at the main entrance and focal point of a house. They can pretty much do with aluminum that the do with iron and it has little to no maintenance. We are in the process of building and going with Aluminum on both the front and the back of the house. Make sure you get a good quality and if you want I can check to see what brand our builder is using.

Here is a good link with what can be done with aluminum railings.

Aluminum Railing Details by RailingWorks

[Monkeydad]

Just 3 steps-worth of railing won't be much maintenance even if you have to paint it every year. I'd definitely go with something a little nicer-looking than PVC for such a short railing. If it was an entire deck, then the maintenance comes into play a lot more and PVC could be a more attractive option.

[SmootSmack]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I plan on going to Home Depot this weekend but didn't want to go in blind

[firstdown]

To be honest if this is a place where your going to be staying I'd look for a company that specializes in railings. I'm not too impressed with what HD has to offer. Did you look at the link I provided or looked online to see all the new products offered?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by firstdown

To be honest if this is a place where your going to be staying I'd look for a company that specializes in railings. I'm not too impressed with what HD has to offer. Did you look at the link I provided or looked online to see all the new products offered?

I did. You don't think a Home Depot or Lowe's would have a good selection?

[Chico23231]

found legos or lincoln logs usually work well

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I did. You don't think a Home Depot or Lowe's would have a good selection?

From my experience they also don't have the most knowledgeable to help you.

It maybe worth your wild to have a "deck" company come out and give you a estimate.

What type of steps will this railing be installed on? Cement, wood, etc..

When I moved into my current home they had a DIY railing coming up to my front door on cement steps, it was a metal railing. Just an awful job; first thing I tore out.

Also, didn't you make a home improvements thread??? Oh geez, this would have probably fit in there.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mredskins

From my experience they also don't have the most knowledgeable to help you.

It maybe worth your wild to have a "deck" company come out and give you a estimate.

What type of steps will this railing be installed on? Cement, wood, etc..

When I moved into my current home they had a DIY railing coming up to my front door on cement steps, it was a metal railing. Just an awful job; first thing I tore out.

Also, didn't you make a home improvements thread??? Oh geez, this would have probably fit in there.

Cement

I did but it didn't quite grow the way I thought it might (guess no one else is working on home improvements), so i just started a fresh one for this topic

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Cement

I did but it didn't quite grow the way I thought it might (guess no one else is working on home improvements), so i just started a fresh one for this topic

I am just giving you a hard time.

If cement, then you are going to have to anchor it to the cement. So basically wood and PVC would be kind of out (I am guessing). IF yo uare planning on staying I say Iron or Aluminum.

I guess you can do wood on cement. I think a metal railing would look nicer personally.

How To Mount Wood Posts to Concrete Steps | eHow.com

[SmootSmack]

Honestly, I'd been leaning toward aluminum but had a couple of friends suggest PVC. Was trying to find a reason why

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Honestly, I'd been leaning toward aluminum but had a couple of friends suggest PVC. Was trying to find a reason why

cheaper, easier to work with for starters

[firstdown]

PVC will out last your home but its just not something I'd put on the front of my house. The key to a good job is going big on anchoring whatever you pick. Most people hate to anchore stuff concrete but if done right its beter then anchoring into wood.