Front stair railing?

7 years ago

Our home is nearing completion. We will not be putting a railing around the front porch but code requires them on the stairs. See pictures.

Important note: since these pictures, another stair has been added since we didn't like the sloped walkway.) Our contractor says that by far the most popular stair railing they put in is black wrought iron. I'm not a fan of that with our style of home. And all lights, hardware, house numbers are in a rusted bronze (not that dark). I was thinking the railings would be basic wood. He'll do whatever we want. I do worry about how this will look at the top of the stairs on the side of the open porch. Suggestions on type of railing? How to deal with it meeting the porch? Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

millworkman

7 years ago

That porch certainly looks to me like it will require a railing. Even if code says no do you want the liability of someone taking a header off of it?

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Comments (8)

PRO
Allen Irvin - Designer
7 years ago
absolutely agree with wood, something craftsman, something fun. here are a couple.
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User
7 years ago
Put a baluster around the porch and down the stair.
PRO
Allen Irvin - Designer
7 years ago
for some reason i could not get to the comment you just sent me, but i liked what i read :) about the brick post.
qtpiedi
7 years ago
I think it would look nice if you added a shorter pillar attached to the pillar on the left of the stairs, Im not a fan of the black wrought iron as your house is a craftsman style and black wrought iron is more traditional

on the left of the stairs
acm
7 years ago
nothing craftsman about this house currently.

I think your simplest solution is to put your railing on the left, where it will end into a pillar without your needing to add anything more.

I think wrought iron would look great here, but if you prefer wood, that can obviously be made to work too.
qtpiedi
7 years ago
here is another example, i would check with code and see if you did a shorter wall like this along the stairs if that would be enough or if they would still require a hand rail. also the shorter wall could be framed with wood and covered in siding if you didnt want to put the added cost of brick in there
Snaggy
7 years ago
Needs a railing It looks unfinished without one