A safe and secure home helps build a strong and loving family. By creating a comfortable and pleasant space, we demonstrate our unwavering dedication to our family’s safety and well-being. This small gesture will allow them to feel at ease and enjoy their time at home without feeling like they are putting themselves at risk. Additionally, our efforts may provide a warm and inviting environment in which our family can make memories and form lasting bonds.

However, transforming our homes to make them safer is not a one-time investment— it is an ongoing commitment. As we look for ways to make the inside of our homes safer, we do not want to neglect what we have outside. 

Adding exterior handrails is not just essential for providing safer pathways but they can also serve as an attractive addition to any exterior landscape. Many modern handrail designs feature a variety of materials and curves that can greatly add a great touch of style and flair to our home. Additionally, installing exterior handrails may come with extra benefits, like possibly increasing the value of our property.

 

🏡Exterior handrails and Senior Safety

Aging makes it more difficult to move around quickly. As individuals age, their balance and coordination exponentially decrease, leaving limited mobility and slow reflexes, which can lead to serious injuries. This is especially true for our senior loved ones who may already be impacted by chronic health issues, making them more prone to falls. Installing exterior handrails can make all the difference in preventing these types of accidents.  

In addition to safety, handrails can provide support and balance and help promote physical activity, which is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, using handrails can help to provide peace of mind and a sense of confidence for seniors when walking outside the home, giving them the opportunity to maintain their independence.

 

🏡 Types of Exterior Handrails: 

• Stair handrails are an essential safety feature if you have a staircase on your property. This type of handrail design will make the area safer for people to walk up and down stairs. It can be used for small or large staircases and comes in a variety of sizes and styles to fit any space. 
• Front Porch and Deck handrail can be a great way to add a new dimension to your nicely landscaped backyard. Handrails are so versatile that they can be fitted to all kinds of porch steps, adding a touch of sophistication to your outdoor living spaces like porches or patios. 
• Garden Walkway Handrail will add a touch of elegance to any yard. Keeping the natural environment of our garden can make it harder to navigate because of the uneven surfaces, but a handrail can provide invaluable support for you and your loved ones as you enjoy the calming view of your own Eden.
• Pool Deck Handrail— As the weather starts to heat up, many people are turning to outdoor swimming pools. For those lucky enough to have their own pool, there is one essential element to ensure the safety of swimmers: a pool deck handrail. A pool deck handrail provides a secure grip when entering or exiting the pool, minimizing the risk of slipping and potential injury. Don’t let the fun of summer be cut short due to an unfortunate accident!
• Installing a driveway handrail adds an extra layer of safety by making a steep driveway easier and safer to traverse while also adding a decorative touch.
• Retaining Wall Handrail— If you’re looking to add a unique touch to your outdoor stairs, install a handrail into the retaining wall adjacent to the top of your stairs. This not only adds a touch of character to your home but also provides a layer of security for anyone who may use the stairs. 

🏡 Mounting Methods

(Applicable for Both Interior and Exterior Handrails)

Exterior handrails are an important part of your home’s safety and security, but they can be tricky to install. There are a variety of mounting methods to choose from depending on the design and structure of your outside living spaces.

No matter what type of handrail you choose, be sure to check with local building codes before you begin the installation. With the proper installation techniques and materials, you can ensure that your handrails are secure and safe for years to come.

 

Railings WITHOUT Post

1. Wall-Mounted Railings— are the most common type because they are easy to install and maintain. They attach directly to the studs of the wall in two or more locations. When using wood railings, separate brackets will have to be used to provide extra stability and make them more secure.

Finding the studs can be challenging, but a simple magnet might do the trick. A magnet will help you find the drywall screws and help you spot the approximate location of the studs. Still, investing in a good stud finder will come in handy in positioning your handrails and in other installations as well.   

2. Jamb-Mounted Railings— offer a secure and stylish option for mounting a handrail in doorways. They are attached to the door jamb using heavy-duty fasteners into the framing members adjacent to the door. For added convenience, many jamb-mounted railings also feature a height-adjustable system, allowing you to adjust the height of the railing depending on your needs. This method is particularly suitable for situations where a wall-mounted railing may not be possible due to space constraints or design preferences. 

For any handrail installation, the most important thing to remember is to make sure the dimensions of your handrail meet the required codes. The typical height of a handrail should be between 34” and 38”. 

 

Railings WITH Post

1. Door Railings are an ideal choice for homes with narrow hallways or doorways that require extra stability. With the right installation and proper maintenance, door railings can provide added safety and protection for those entering or exiting a room.

When mounting a handrail near a door, it is important to consider the height of the rail, the distance from the wall, and any other safety considerations. Door railings will often have one anchored post while the railing itself is bolted to the wall into the framing member.

2. Freestanding Railings are not attached to any structure and are therefore self-supporting. They are typically used for decks and balconies that don’t have a wall or other structure to attach the railings to.

The two main components of freestanding railings are the posts and the rails. They will typically have 2 or more posts and are either anchored into the ground or mounted on concrete footers, depending on the application. 

Installing the posts into concrete footers is the most secure option, but this requires some expertise in setting concrete. If you choose to set the posts in the ground, they should be properly anchored with concrete anchors and may need to be backfilled with soil or gravel.

 

🏡 Materials 

When it comes to adding safety and stability to your home’s exterior, handrails are an essential element. Not only do they provide a secure point of contact, but they also serve as a visual anchor to your home’s exterior. While there are a variety of materials that can be used for exterior handrails, it’s important to choose one that is able to withstand different weather conditions and be durable enough to last for years. 

1. Wrought Iron is an incredibly durable material, making it a popular choice for exterior handrails. It is an alloy of iron and a low amount of carbon, which is then heated and formed into desired shapes. Wrought iron is strong, aesthetically pleasing, and resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for outdoor applications. 

However, due to the labor-intensive process required to make wrought iron handrails, it can be more expensive compared to other metal materials like steel or aluminum. Additionally, while wrought iron is more resistant to environmental conditions than wood, it requires periodic painting and maintenance to ensure its longevity.

2. Steel is an alloy made from a combination of iron and other elements such as carbon, manganese, and phosphorus. It is a strong, durable material that can be used to create a variety of products, including exterior handrails. 

The advantage of using steel is found in its strength and durability. Steel will not corrode or degrade in wet or humid climates, making it a suitable material for outdoor applications. Because it is ductile, it is also relatively easy to shape into intricate designs, making it a great choice for decorative handrails.

The downside of steel is that it is more susceptible to rust when exposed to moisture, so it must be treated regularly to prevent corrosion. While steel handrails can be painted to match the surrounding environment, the paint may fade over time and require touch-ups.

3. Aluminum is a lightweight metal that is often used for making outdoor products, such as handrails. The main advantage of using aluminum is its strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum is significantly lighter than other metals, yet still strong enough to support the weight of a person leaning against it. This makes it ideal for exterior applications where a handrail needs to be strong, but doesn’t need to be bulky. Aluminum is also very easy to work with, allowing for intricate detailing without added difficulty.

However, because aluminum is a softer metal, it can be scratched or dented more easily than other materials, which may require frequent maintenance.

4. Wood is one of the oldest building materials used by humans. It has been used for centuries to make everything— from furniture to buildings and of course, exterior handrails. Wood can provide a classic, rustic look to any home and can also be quite strong when properly cared for.

Besides its natural beauty, wood is relative more affordable and easier to install than other materials. Additionally, wood is also quite versatile, with many different types available, such as cedar, redwood, pine, and even composite options.

Despite its advantages, one of the biggest drawbacks in using wood is its susceptibility to rotting and can can become dry and brittle over time if it isn’t sealed or stained regularly. This can be labor-intensive and costly in the long run.

 

🏡 Takeaway

Transforming our home to make it safer and more comfortable means transforming the lives of our loved ones. We want to make all of our members feel secure and protected in our homes. As we understand their needs, we take the initiative to make our home a safe place through remodeling and making small adjustments. 

The best gift we can give is a warm and happy home where love and safety are embraced. And adding exterior handrails to our home’s safety modifications is a way to ensure our family’s safety while also adding a stylish touch to our outdoor living space. 

With the right installation and maintenance, exterior handrails will be a long-term investment that not only looks great but also provide a safer environment for our loved ones, young and old, to explore and grow. Through our diligence and commitment to transforming our home, we can give our family a place to truly call home.