There’s nothing worse than smacking an elbow or a hip on the sharp end of a handrail as you quickly descend a flight of stairs. Handrail returns connect the end of a railing to the wall or another surface, eliminating those “Ouch!” moments. They’re also important for people with disabilities who rely on well-designed handrails. Find out more about handrail return requirements according to both local and international building codes.
Handrail Maintenance 101
As you dive into spring cleaning, you’re probably taking a look at your home’s exterior. Touch-up the house paint? Check. Clean out the gutters? Check. But what about the railings around your home? Routine handrail maintenance is an important part of maintaining your home’s exterior, both for curb appeal and safety. With a few easy maintenance strategies, your aluminum handrails will look great and function properly for decades. Ready to get schooled on handrail maintenance 101?
How to Fix Rust on Handrails
Most outdoor amenities will rust at some point, including handrails. Rust on some exterior fixtures – gutters, for example – might not be a functional issue. But rust on handrails isn’t just an eyesore. Left unchecked, a small amount of rust can grow until it damages the handrail, putting handrail users at risk at your home or business. For that reason, it’s crucial to address rust spots as soon as you see them. Learning how to fix rust on handrails is an easy do-it-yourself project, but it does require some elbow grease.
Handrail Continuity Per OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act of 1970) was created to protect workers from serious injury on the job. These days, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) serves that purpose by enforcing a variety of protective workplace safety and health standards. One set of those standards involves stairway and handrail safety. You may be familiar with the continuous handrail standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, read on for more details on handrail continuity per OSHA.
Purchasing and Caring for an Exterior Aluminum Handrail
Durable exterior handrails are a must for many commercial and residential buildings. Not only do they offer peace of mind and a wide range of accessibility, but also they can add a bit of flair to your building’s exterior. At the end of the day, exterior aluminum handrails are the most durable, attractive, and versatile product on today’s market. If you’re ready to invest in this fail-safe handrail option, check out our guide to purchasing and caring for an exterior aluminum handrail.
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The Importance of a Continuous Handrail
We all need a little support from time to time. If you’ve ever walked down a flight of stairs, chances are you’ve paid little to no mind to the handrail supporting your descent. And if you’ve never stopped to examine a handrail, you likely haven’t noticed continuous sections – connected handrail sections that serve as an important support, especially for individuals with mobility issues. The importance of a continuous handrail can’t be overstated, especially in terms of safety and building code requirements.
How to Pick the Perfect Aluminum ADA Handrail
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has set forth a series of handrail compliance standards that prioritize three things: safety, consistency, and most importantly, accessibility for individuals with disabilities. ADA-compliant handrails are important if you want to keep your business accessible to individuals of all mobility and ability levels – the question is, with so many options available, how do you select the aluminum ADA handrail that is best for your project?
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When Is a Handrail Required?
When you’re constructing a new project, it’s easy to focus on the big picture and neglect the details. However, certain details – handrails, for example – are crucial factors in your building’s safety. When is a handrail required? Whether your building is for residential, commercial, or public use, it’s important to keep national handrail regulations in mind.
Residential Handrail Requirements
Residential handrails can add a lot of aesthetic value to your home. Of course, looks can be deceiving, and even the most stylish handrail can fall short of safety requirements. When installing a handrail inside or outside your home, keep in mind that a railing’s safety function is truly the most important thing. Not sure of the best way to keep your family safe around stairs? Review the most recent residential handrail requirements below.
How to Mount a Handrail on Different Surfaces
Handrails can be a great finishing touch to your home’s exterior – but how do you install a handrail on, say, a stucco wall? What about brick, concrete, or wood? Figuring out how to mount a handrail on different surfaces can be a bit confusing, but it’s certainly not impossible. With a few tweaks during your mounting process, you’ll have an attractive, solid handrail mounted in no time.
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