Planning For Wrought Iron Rails

Wrought iron rails are a great addition to a home, especially when they are featured in areas like the staircase and balcony of the home. They offer a timeless elegance that you would be hard pressed to find in any other material. Wrought iron is sold by many different home improvement stores, but if you cannot find the design you are looking for, there are foundries that will take a custom order for your home. However, before you start looking at the many different designs available, you should understand a little bit about the installation requirements.



Codes

while nearly all rails sold by home improvement stores are a standard height and width, make sure this is acceptable for the building codes in your area. Some areas are more strict than others when it comes to railings and the space between, so you want to make sure you are within code. A general rule to follow is if a tennis ball cannot pass between the railings, it is probably up to code in your area.

Size

The next thing you need to consider is the amount of railing needed for your home. For a balcony, you can measure out the length and sides yourself, however if you are installing the wrought iron rails on a staircase, you might want to consult a professional who can better help determine the amount of rails you need.

Design

The type of rails you purchase is really a matter of personal preference. There are plenty of simple and ornate designs depending on your needs. For ideas, consider flipping through home improvement magazines, or looking at different pictures online so you can see the many different types of railings. The design you choose should be a reflection of your own personal taste and what will go best with the decor in your home.

Handrails

For staircase installation, it is mandatory to have a handrail. However, you might want to consider adding a second handrail to the other side, even if the stairs are placed against a wall. This extra addition makes the stairs much easier to traverse should you ever find it difficult to walk, or if you have an injury.

Installation

You should definitely hire a professional to install your wrought iron rails to make sure the job is finished properly. Installing wrought iron differs from other materials such as wood, so make sure you are hiring a professional with the required skills to get the job done. You can usually find several contractors in the back of your yellow pages, but consider asking your friends and family if they have any experience with a contractor who is good at installing various implements. Word of mouth is often the best advertising.