Iron railing on colonial house

last year

We’re getting ready to have a custom iron railing made for the small front stoop on our colonial style home. I’ve settled, more or less, on the style that I want, but not sure if just putting a rail on one side would look weird. I wish I didn’t have to do it at all, as I prefer it the way it is now, but need it for safety of older visitors and winter weather conditions.

Front of house and railing I’m thinking of.

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Joanne
Original Author

last year

We put the project on hold at that time and I couldn’t find my original post, but thanks for pointing that out. I’ll try to do better.

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Comments (8)

Joanne
Original Author
last year
To add: I can do one side or both, and I can also put up a rail with no pickets, which might make it less prominent.
KW PNW Z8
last year
I prefer the pickets myself. Your bottom step isn’t as wide as the top landing. If the start of rail is on flat space next to the bottom step - and I think it should be - then does that make the pickets too short as they must clear the edge of the top landing. That’s a sharper slant for the bottom piece holding pickets in place. Does that look ok? If not, it’s the only reason I’d go for no pickets. I hope I’m clear with my question.
Joanne thanked KW PNW Z8
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Joanne
Original Author
last year
I think I know what you mean. The style photo I included shows the railing skipping the first step and is mounted at ground level. might be similar to my layout? I’ll discuss with the fabricator. thanks.
jck910
last year
14 comments when you posted same issue 6 months ago

Colonial home front railings
Joanne thanked jck910
Kendrah
last year
shows the railing skipping the first step

The railing in your pic is correct. You need the railing mounted at ground level and spanning every step. You need a new wider step.
chispa
last year
I agree you should get a new wider lower step. Do the project once, and do it right.
Sigrid
last year
You want to think about the entry as a whole for your elderly visitors. Is the top step big enough for a walker? Will it be easy to keep the storm door open as your elderly guests navigate the step?

If you're looking at people with walkers or canes, you might be better off replacing your steps with ones wide enough to accommodate a walker. Wide steps are attractive. Although, we did add railings for an elderly relative. He didn't use a walker and those steps were not big enough for one and making them big enough was not a possibility at my house, which is on a hill and has a lot of steps to the door.