Why choose a white handrail?

Choosing a white handrail is a great way to bring light into your stairway and even make your staircase appear larger. Here, we discuss the key benefits of using white handrails and what to consider when choosing a white handrail. We also explain what options of white primed handrails we offer.

Click on a link to jump to that section:

• What are the benefits of white handrails?
• Read the key benefits of white handrail designs and why they may be the best option for you.
• What is a white primed handrail?
• Learn what a white primed handrail is.
• What to consider when choosing a white handrail
• Find out what factors to consider when choosing a white handrail.
• White handrail FAQs
• Get answers to your most commonly asked questions about white handrails.

What are the benefits of white handrails?

There are many benefits to choosing a white handrail compared to an unpainted wooden handrail. White handrails are:

• Versatile 
• Great at maximising light
• Strong and durable 
• Available in a wide variety of styles
• Budget-friendly 
• Primed and ready to paint
• Easy to maintain

Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of these benefits.

White primed handrails are a flexible option, working well in both traditional and modern-styled properties. Due to their versatility, the handrails can be used alongside white wooden spindles for a clean white effect, or mixed with other timbers such as oak, creating a modern style that looks great, whilst still retaining traditional design elements. Often, white handrails are paired with glass panels for an ultra-modern, sleek appearance.

White handrails can make your staircase feel larger and brighter by helping to maximise the light available. This means that white handrails are the perfect choice for entryways where natural light is limited. 

At Jackson Woodturners, our white primed stair parts are made from either Birch or Poplar (tulipwood). These are both pale hardwoods that are strong and durable making them ideal for high-traffic areas like staircases

There are many styles of white handrails available, from traditional style grooved handrails designed to work with wooden spindles to more modern handrail styles, such as this White Primed MD Modern Ungrooved Handrail.

White primed handrails are a cost-effective option for updating your staircase. They are cheaper than most wooden handrails, especially more expensive woods such as oak. Additionally, they come already primed so you don’t have to spend money and time on a primer.

If you’re planning on painting your handrail, it makes sense to purchase a white primed handrail as these have already been professionally primed. This means they are ready to receive a top coat of paint in your choice of colour. 

Handrails can get dirty and scuffed very easily. White handrails can easily be repainted to refresh them, which is much more difficult to do with an unpainted wooden handrail.

Shop our full range of white handrails on our website.

What are white primed handrails?

Most white handrails are wooden handrails which have already been pre-primed with a high-quality white primer. This means they are ready to receive a top coat of solvent-based paint in your choice of colour, whether you keep it classic with white or go with something a little bolder. 

The base wood used for our white primed handrails is either birch or poplar (tulipwood), a knot-free, pale hardwood that lends itself to be used for white primed parts. Our handrails are sprayed white to a very high standard. Our white primed handrails are classed as "primed" as there can often be some colour variation between batches, so they can either be finished in the colour of your choice or used as they are. However, we recommend finishing your white primed handrail in a solvent-based paint for the best results. 

What to consider when choosing a white handrail

When you are choosing your ideal white handrail, there are various factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to decide on the size of the handrail that you require. It is vital to measure correctly to ensure that you choose the right size for your home. For more information on choosing the right size of handrail, check out our blog, ‘What is the correct handrail size?’.

Other factors you’ll need to consider include:

• Grooved vs ungrooved
• Wall-mounted 
• Style options 

Keep reading for more information.

You can also choose between ungrooved and grooved white handrails. Ungrooved white primed handrails can either be mounted onto a wall with the aid of brackets, or used alongside glass panels and secured in place with glass panel clamps.

Grooved white primed handrails allow wooden spindles to be fitted into the groove. Alternatively, you can purchase glass-grooved handrails to use alongside glass panels. If you are using metal spindles, you can choose white base rails and handrails with smaller grooves intended for metal, such as this White Primed MD Iron Handrail.

You may also want to choose a wall-mounted white handrail, such as a mopstick handrail if you have a narrower stairway. These options are convenient, as they can be screwed directly onto a wall without the need for brackets. A white mopstick handrail is one of the most popular wall-mounted options and looks stunning when paired with wall brackets and end caps to complete the look.

There is a range of style options available when it comes to white handrails, which include the classic cottage loaf and the attractive HR handrails.

To view your full range of options, visit our white primed handrails selection here.

Jackson Woodturners provides the largest selection of contemporary and traditional stair parts in the UK. We offer a wide selection of high-quality white-primed handrails, spindles, newel posts and other white-primed stair parts. Our website also stocks a range of handrail brackets, end caps and fittings to complete your staircase renovation.

You can view our full range of white primed handrails on our website. If you’re not sure if a white primed handrail is right for your staircase renovation, feel free to reach out to our team. We’ll happily give you any advice you need or answer any questions you may have. You can call our staircase experts on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected]

White handrail FAQs

How to paint handrails white​?

The first step to painting a handrail white is to prepare the handrail for painting. This will involve cleaning and sanding the surface. Once it’s prepared, it’s time to prime the handrail to get it ready to receive a top coat of paint. If you’ve purchased one of our white primed handrails, you can skip the preparation.

You should always paint handrails in a solvent-based gloss or semi-paint as this is the most durable option. Gloss paint is also much easier to clean than matte paint. Begin at the bottom of the handrail and work your way up. Make sure the first coat of paint is completely dry before starting the second coat. For more detailed instructions, have a look at our guide, ‘How to paint a wooden handrail’.

What’s the best colour to paint a stair handrail​?

There is no specific ‘best’ colour to paint a stair handrail, but white and black are the two most popular options. White is a great colour choice for stair handrails because it will make your entryway feel light, spacious and welcoming. Black can create a moody, sophisticated look and works particularly well if you have plenty of natural light. Whatever colour you choose to paint your handrail, it’s best to choose a white primed handrail as it’s ready to receive your choice of top coat and there’s no need to worry about sanding or priming. 

White-primed vs oak stair parts - which is the best option for you?

White primed and oak are two of the most popular stair part materials, so it can be difficult to know which is best for your staircase renovation. Here are a few factors you should consider when making your decision:

• Price - oak is more expensive than white-primed timber, so white-primed stair parts are ideal if you’re on a budget.
• Painting - if you’re planning on painting your stair parts, it makes sense to purchase white-primed parts which have already been professionally primed.
• Maintenance - although both oak and white-primed timber are easy to maintain, white-primed stair parts have the added benefit of being easy to paint over for a cost-effective refresh. 
• Durability - oak is slightly more durable than white-primed timber which is why it’s also more expensive. 

How to clean a white-painted handrail?

To clean a white-painted handrail, follow these tips from our staircase experts:

• Use a soft microfiber cloth to dust your handrail regularly to remove any dust or dirt. 
• Use a mixture of washing up liquid and water to remove more stubborn marks. Make sure you wipe away any residue with a clean damp cloth and let the handrail dry completely before using.
• Use disinfectant weekly to prevent your germs accumulating on your handrail. You can also use lemon juice mixed with water instead of disinfectant.