Popular types of handrails and what to consider when choosing a handrail
Popular types of handrails and what to consider when choosing a handrail
The style and layout of your staircase will determine which type of handrail is ideal, and at Jacksons, we have a wide selection for you to choose from. Here, we discuss the most popular styles and materials of handrails and provide tips on choosing the best handrail for you.
Read the popular options for modern and traditional handrail designs.
Wall-mounted handrails
Wall-mounted handrails are ideal if you are attaching a handrail to the wall. The popular types of wall-mounted handrails include:
Mopstick handrails
Mopstick handrails are an extremely customisable option if you are looking for a wall-mounted handrail and are available in an eclectic range of woods. These types of handrails are designed to be secured to the wall by handrail brackets, and they can be a more decorative option than pigs ear handrails, which are fastened to the wall with screws. You can also add handrail end caps in your desired style to finish the look.
Whether your home is more modern or traditional, mopstick handrails are a simple, versatile option, and can perfectly complement most interiors. Offering a round, simple design, a mopstick handrail is perfect if you want to use a classy, simple handrail option.
What woods are mopstick handrails available in?
Walnut
Pine
Ash
Hemlock
White oak.
White primed.
Dark hardwood.
Key benefits of mopstick handrails
Extremely customisable and are available in an eclectic range of woods.
They can be a decorative option when secured to the wall with handrail brackets.
Ideal if you are looking for a simple, classy design.
They provide a versatile option and can complement many different interiors.
Unlike mopstick handrails, pigs ear handrails don’t require handrail brackets and can conveniently be screwed directly onto the wall. Pigs ear handrails are a particularly ideal option if you have a narrow staircase. Offering a slightly different design to round mopstick handrails, they provide a unique option for your stairs and are extremely versatile – meaning they suit a range of interior designs.
What woods are pigs ear handrails available in?
Pine
Ash.
Hemlock.
Dark hardwood.
Oak.
Key benefits of pigs ear handrails
You don’t need to buy handrail brackets, saving you time and money.
Oak handrails are a very popular and widely used option due to their excellent strength, durability and classic appearance. Offering a unique tiger-stripe design, they are available in a large range of designs and sizes. Shop our range of oak handrails here.
The key benefits of oak handrails
Durable material.
Provides a unique, classic appearance, featuring a tiger-stripe grain.
You can rest assured knowing that your staircase won’t get damaged easily.
Offers superior strength in comparison to many other woods.
If you are looking for a different option for a wooden handrail, you may consider pine. Pine is a softwood rather than a hardwood, and it offers a lot of variety when it comes to how you can paint or stain it. While quite durable, pine does not have the classic appearance of oak and is unlikely to last as long. It does need to be treated before being painted. Read our guide to oak vs pine handrails here.
Ash and white primed wood are popular alternatives if you are looking for a lighter coloured wood, and go well with neutral colours in the home. Walnut and dark hardwood, on the other hand, are perfect options if you are looking for a darker, traditional option.
White handrails
Installing white handrails is a great way to make your staircase appear larger, complementing neutral colours and decoration in the home.
Our white primed products are supplied already primed on a hardwood base, ready for you to then paint.
We recommend pairing a white handrail with black spindles and a white base rail to provide a modern, elegant touch. Alternatively, a white handrail alongside white wooden spindles can create the perfect bright addition to your stairway.
Looks excellent when paired with white spindles, black spindles and woods such as oak.
Work especially well in modern properties.
They are strong and durable.
Can make the staircase appear larger.
What woods are used for white handrails?
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.
Things to consider when choosing the right handrail for you
Cost
Materials such as oak tend to be more expensive, as they offer high durability and strength. This can make an excellent investment, as your handrail will last longer and maintain its quality. However, you have a smaller budget, you may want to look at slightly more cost-effective options such as pine. Shop our handrail selection here to view your full range of options.
Design
We offer a wide range of handrail designs, whether you are looking for a traditional or modern handrail. You can choose between simple designs and more complex options if you want your handrail to be more decorative.
Grooved handrails are ideal for wooden spindles, whereas ungrooved handrails can be used with metal spindles and glass clamps. If you want to pair your handrail with glass panels and clamps, you can also purchase a glass-grooved handrail.
Size
Handrails have to be fitted in accordance with UK building regulations. There are a number of guidelines outlined in Part K of the Building Regulations which set out the handrail requirements for staircases:
You should fit a handrail at a height between 900mm and 1000mm from the pitch line of the stairs, or the floor for landings. The pitch line is a virtual line that sits on top of the nosing at the edge of the stair treads. This is approximately 35.4–39 inches.
Staircases require at least one handrail:
If the stairs are less than 1m wide: provide a handrail on one or both sides.
If the stairs are wider than 1m: provide a handrail on both sides.
Handrails are often sold in set lengths of 1.8m, 2.4m, 3.6m and 4.2m. Choose the best length that fits your staircase measurements.
If you are buying a grooved or glass-grooved handrail, you need to ensure the size of the groove is ideal for the size of your wooden spindles or glass panels.
Style and aesthetic
Consider matching your staircase to the interior of your home. Perhaps you want to opt for a traditional cottage loaf handrail to complement your traditional interior, or combine traditional and modern with an oak handrail combined with glass panels. For more tips, visit our handrail advice centre.
