Railing Topper

Railings are so beautiful! They can set off any stairway, balcony or deck with a design that draws attention to the area. I've had the most fun designing railings, because there aren't too many restrictions. That being said, you must pay attention to code requirements, but short of that, the design can be whatever you envision. Unlike a gate, you are not restricted by weight, so you can go a little crazy with integrating different components.

When I'm designing a railing, my first question to my client is, “How do you want your top rail to look?” Many people are surprised to know that there are many options to choose from. Most important, stair railing should be comfortable to the touch. One choice to consider is molded cap rail; it's a very finished look, more classic in design. The molded cap has a shape similar to what some wood top rails might look like. There are many sizes and designs of molded cap top rail to choose from, don't be afraid to experiment with them in a design before making your final decision. Using round tube steel as a top rail is an exceptional choice because it is easy to grip and smooth on the hands. When grasped, your hand fits perfectly around it. As I get older, I appreciate the little things in life like being able to hold firmly to a railing. Then, there's tube steel and flat bar top rails. If you want to achieve a contemporary look, then a rectangular tube steel top rail is a great choice.

Sometimes, I'll design the interior of the railing before making my final decision about the top rail. I want my top rail to compliment my guard rail design. It can be difficult to determine what top rail to use until the interior design is done, so be patient, try not to get your heart set on a specific type of top rail until your able to see the whole picture, and trust your instincts.

As with any artistic piece, it’s all a matter of taste and coordinating with the architecture.