One of the main safety features of a staircase are the handrails and railings, which help prevent falls and injuries. These staircase parts can be made of different materials, such as metal, wood or glass, to achieve different visual effects. The type of stair railing and type of handrail used will also impact the appearance of the staircase.
A railing is the barrier which prevents people from falling off the side of the stairs. A railing must be strong enough to resist breaking if someone falls or pushes on it. Railings can also be made of a variety of materials and can be fashioned in different styles from a series of simple vertical posts which form a balustrade to modern cable railing.
Wood is the most traditional and classic material used for handrails and railings. Popular woods include red oak, which is easy to stain, sand, and finish, as well as white oak, which is harder and more water resistant. Mahogany, ash, cypress, cherry and many other woods can be used for staircase handrails and railings.
While glass may not seem to be a very safe material to use in staircase design, it is actually much tougher than it looks. Glass comes in a number of varieties including clear, semi-transparent, tinted, frosted and etched. Glass is not normally used for stair handrails. Usually, other materials, like wood or metal, are used for handrails with glass railings.