Wooden handrails for stairs are not the only options available to enhance your project

29 January 2025

In interior staircases projects, traditional stair or modern staircase with any anatomy, style and combination of materials, each detail has its importance both as a functional element and as an aesthetic variable. In this sense stair railings and handrails for stairs are an integral part of the installation and the design.

In this article we will focus on the stair handrail, which is too often not given the right attention underestimating the importance: a stair railing and a stair handrail are not only essential for the comfort and safety of users of a staircase, but also as stair parts, for indoor and outdoor use,  perfect to finish the design of wooden stairs, wrought iron, steel stairs, in projects that combine very different materials combined intentionally (see for example marble covered staircase, stair railings in plexiglass).

Let’s see together what the presence of stair handrails entail and which types you can choose to make your installation safe and comfortable but also essential, modern or original depending on taste and design needs. 

Internal stairs: stair railing and handrails are essential elements

Handrails for stairs, indoor and outdoor stairs, are not always taken into account, emphasizing their proper value when designing stairs and stair railings; however, a stair handrail, especially an internal staircase handrail installation, is a very important element from several points of view:

• handrails for stairs fundamental for comfort, stability and safety
• handrails for stairs important on the aesthetic side, high quality finishing of the style and the overall design

Getting down to the heart of the matter, a stair railing or a side wall often integrate a handrail – wall mounted stair handrails-  for various reasons: first of all handrails are designed to provide a real instrumental support during the ups and downs, and it is not just elderly or mobility-impaired users who are at risk but anyone else could run into difficulties; wood handrails or metal handrails not only offer a fall arrest, but in general helps to provide some stability, necessary along stair treads and risers. 

The mere presence of a handrail can also give some sense of security; in more extreme and dangerous situations, for example under poor lighting conditions or when talking about external stairs, rain, ice or snow would not naturally favour a comfortable ascent or descent. In these cases handrails for stairs would make a difference.

We can also add that a wall handrail or stair railing with a handrail can certainly make it easier for those in difficulty to climb the stairs, for example with physical limitations of some kind.

It should also be said that the merely practical function is not the only point in favor of a handrail, which as mentioned, together with stair railings and balustrades, contributes to the visual result as a whole: design, style, material and finish enhance integrating the staircase and furniture of the host context. 

In general, it can be said that, apart from the internal staircase railing, handrails for stairs have a very specific role to play in terms of safety and comfort for the users of the stairs; importance should be given to ergonomics, location, height and compliance with local regulations; in addition, the choice of a particular design or material will make a difference in the overall aesthetic impact of the stairs.

Main materials used for wall mounted handrails or handrails for stairs inserted into railings or balustrades

Let’s see which are the most common materials handrails are designed with, wall mounted handrails or handrails for stairs inserted in railings and balusters, traditional handrails or innovative projects:

• wood handrail (e.g. red oak handrail or white oak real wood, hard maple wood handrail and other high quality wood species)
• metal handrails: iron handrail, wrought iron handrail, stainless steel handrail
• handrails for stairs that provide the combination of multiple materials or otherwise customized to the maximum; for example, it is possible that the handrail brackets are made of metal, but the body of the handrail, whether in wood or stainless steel, is covered with leather.

Wood handrails will easily follow the appearance of the wood species for stairs used throughout the project, or take back the essence, used for parquet: In other cases, depending on the project, a simple handrail finish can lighten a particularly decorative internal staircase railing, such as special railings with brass treatment for example. In fact the handrail finish can be smooth, or the wood handrail can be grooved or carved, for the entire length, for ornamental purposes depending on the style. 

Metal handrails, often integrated in stair railings always made of metal or glass balustrades, can be designed in stainless steel, natural iron, aluminium… and if we talk of course about stairs with particular wrought iron rococo, also the handrail brackets, handrail fittings and the handrail itself will be in line with the project: each one of the stair parts must be aligned to the style

Excluding wrought iron, stainless steel handrails change considerably depending on the finishes – polished, brushed, satin but also painted as other elements of the staircase – tends to convey a modern, contemporary style.

In current projects involving modern wooden staircases or wooden stair treads, the natural warmth of solid wood is often combined with glass balustrades or stainless steel railings for essential stairs, horizontal currents, cable railings, vertical columns etc., and here we can find just stainless steel rectangle straight or round handrail.. 

The same applies for stairs made in natural stone or stair treads in structural glass, and in these cases, also inserted into wall (internal wall stairs handrails) with the appropriate  high quality handrail support, a metal round handrail or even a glass handrail combined with the steps can complete the final result.

Of course, in the case of a spiral staircase or helical staircase it is obvious that, like the stair railings for this anatomy, the possible bending handrail follows smoothly the curvilinear structure and integrates perfectly into the installation.                                                  

Innovative design and details of handrails for stairs in current projects

We mentioned the fact that even a simple handrail, handrails for stairs for indoor or outdoor use, makes its contribution in the overall design of the structure; depending on personal preferences, the atmosphere you want to create, the architectural style, handrails for stairs can be designed with a particular eye for detail, or at least with an attention that goes well beyond the functional aspect of this element.

From the point of view of structural-anatomical design, the stair railing can contain, integrate the handrail in various ways, with different results: handrail and railing can be one the continuation of the other, without interruptions and visible joints, no connectors are required in this custom design, probably of craft mold.

This can also be done using as a base the vertical profile of the railing itself, which could also be a tailor-made closed parapet; or it is also possible to make that supports are hidden from view, contributing in this case to a rather essential and clean result.

But modern does not necessarily mean essential in terms of shapes, colours and finishes: in fact, within some very interesting and particularly defined projects, the handrail element not only accesses the beloved materials in elegant and modern interior design but goes even further:

• handrails for stairs that take on bold colours in contrast with the rest of the structure
• handrails for stairs with original finishes and/or textures 
• handrails for stairs with special, purely ornamental details 
• handrails for stairs with recessed Led lighting (imagine a matte black stair, with black stair railings and handrails with Led, what an effect!)

Each of these details breaks the monotony of an interior staircase that does not provide integral forms of minimalism, but expresses through a modern design and captivating details a sophisticated atmosphere and well-kept but not boring.                                

Discover railings and handrails for stairs by Officine Sandrini

If you are looking for the distinctive element to give a unique design touch to your spaces, special railings with their handrails for stairs could be perfect for you: with their irresistible warmth and irrefutable functionality, these details represent the essence of modern elegance.

Discover exclusive models among Officine Sandrini railings and handrails for stairs: fill in the following form to receive our new brochure free of charge. Become the protagonist of an amazing and inspiring space, tailored and uncompromising!