For do-it-yourselfers, Home Depot is often the go-to for home remodeling supplies. But when it comes to handrails, can materials from Home Depot create the modern, sleek and versatile look that is desired in both commercial and residential buildings? Home Depot handrails may also present challenges in terms of meeting ADA regulations and building code requirements.
With limited materials and relatively extensive labor required for installation, Home Depot handrails fall short of handrail perfection. Promenaid offers a more versatile alternative to standard handrails from Home Depot, one that not only lives up to modern design styles but also provides easier installation, innovative design solutions and compliance across residential, commercial and ADA guidelines. This article addresses some of the complications inherent in using standard handrails from Home Depot and other big-box stores, and how you can avoid these pitfalls by choosing Promenaid for all your handrail needs.
Handrails from Home Depot
Labor Intensive Brackets
Both aluminum and wood handrails for steps require labor-intensive installation. Handrails can be cut to length reasonably quickly, but the process of attaching the handrails to the wall can be much more difficult.
In most cases, stair handrail brackets from Home Depot are sold separately from the handrails themselves, so the first step of installing these handrails from Home Depot is to ensure that you’ve purchased enough brackets to accommodate the handrail length. The brackets must then be attached to the railing with screws before being attached to the stud. Attaching brackets to the handrail with screws requires incredibly precise measurements to ensure that they line up perfectly with the studs once the brackets are affixed to the railing.
In the event that you mismeasure, the brackets can be moved, but that can leave behind unsightly holes in the handrail. In wood handrails, these blemishes can be filled in, sanded and stained to match the rest of the handrail, but they might never be invisible. However, when using an aluminum railing, the holes can’t be filled in at all and will remain for the life of the handrail.
Less Reliable Strength
Since the brackets are attached to the railing and wall with screws when using handrails from Home Depot, there is a greater chance that the screws can become loose and create an unstable railing over time. Handrail strength comes from two aspects. The first is where the bracket is attached to the railing itself, and the second is where the bracket is attached to the wall at a stud.
The commonly used #8 screws are often too narrow for lasting stability and not long enough to reach through the bracket and comfortably bite into the stud through the drywall. If screws become loose at either point, the handrail becomes unstable, creating a danger for those using it for support. A better alternative is to use #12 screws, at 2-½ inches long, which will achieve a better structural hold.
Lack of Customization for Continuous Installations
Home Depot handrails for interior and exterior applications provide the option of adding handrail-to-handrail connectors, elbows and wall mounts. However, these are sold separately and must be tediously measured and installed. Endcaps are also available. The complexity of installing Home Depot handrails for outdoor steps or interior stairs is further complicated when ADA compliance and building codes are considered.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Residential Building Code require that handrails meet certain specifications. Home Depot aluminum handrails require the homeowner to verify code compliance for the ADA and local and international building code requirements. Unfortunately, many of Home Depot’s wood handrails do not meet the requirements for these codes.
Limited Color Options
Home Depot handrails for stairs offer limited color options. Many of the wood options are unfinished and require staining or sealcoating before installation, which adds additional labor and time to the project. Some of the aluminum options are available in several colors, while others are only available in one color.
Home Depot Materials
Wood
Most Home Depot wood handrails are made from unfinished wood such as poplar, pine, white oak, hard maple and red oak. Finished beech is one of the few finished wood options, meaning that the majority of the wood handrails from Home Depot will require additional work to finish with stain, sealcoating or paint. Due to the nature of wood handrails, they are only recommended for interior use, eliminating the possibility of a deck or outdoor handrail in general. Wood handrails also have the added complication of warping over time, requiring frequent replacement.
Aluminum
Some of Home Depot’s aluminum handrails come with brackets; others require the brackets to be purchased separately. These brackets must be manually attached to the handrail with screws.
A Better Alternative to Home Depot Handrails
Benefits of Promenaid
Promenaid is the world’s first handrail to combine beautiful styling, easy installation, code compliance and speed – all delivered to your door in as little as 24 hours.
Elegant Styling
Promenaid’s contemporary handrails are a stylish addition to any residential or commercial space. They seamlessly complement modern architecture or provide an eye-catching contrast to traditional design. A divergence from traditional railings, Promenaid continuous handrails balance smart sophistication without compromising safety or durability.
The satin-anodized aluminum models are available in a range of colors for every need. For example, our Endura™ anodized aluminum handrails can be purchased in satin black, silver, architectural bronze or champagne silver, all of which are guaranteed to never flake or chip.
If you’re looking for a wood handrail, look no further than Promenaid TrueWood™ railings. These unique handrails are creative with an innovative manufacturing process where a layer of genuine red oak or black walnut wood is permanently bonded to an aluminum core. As a result, these unique wood-wrapped handrails have the structural integrity of durable metal with the warmth and natural beauty of real wood. In addition, our TrueWood™ handrails are manufactured with 50 times less hardwood than traditional hardwood railings, making them a sensible and more sustainable option for your building projects.
Versatile and Easy to Install
Promenaid handrails are incredibly versatile and fully customizable. Change the slope of your handrails with handrail bends to create a railing as unique as your space. Effortlessly achieve ADA compliance with our flush wall returns and mobility-focused handrail components. From the selection of satin anodized and wood-wrapped finishes to the ease of installation, our handrails will give you peace of mind, style and versatility. Our satin anodized and wood-wrapped handrails create a beautiful and modern continuous handrail that is easy to install with our modular system and can easily and quickly accommodate any change in elevation or turn around a corner.
The reliable and hassle-free handrail brackets from Promenaid come in a variety of powder-coated finishes that enhance the entire railing system’s aesthetics. You can mix and match handrail and hardware colors for a wide variety of finished product styles. In addition, our installation hardware is included with every handrail, so you never have to worry about having the right installation materials.
A Bracketing System With a Twist
The groundbreaking, patented twist lock bracket solution we invented at Promenaid is a versatile alternative to traditional screw-in brackets. Our brackets are designed with three screws on the plate and fit perfectly in line with any stud width. In addition, Promenaid’s patented twist lock bracketing system can safely sustain 500 pounds of weight per bracket, meaning each additional bracket allows the railing system to support an additional 500 pounds.
But the real star of this bracketing system lies in the railing attachment mechanism. With a twist-and-click design that can slide and adjust to any position along the railing, these brackets can be installed at customizable increments for nearly limitless stud spacing requirements. And with our innovative system, you won’t need to worry about unsightly holes from measuring mistakes.
The incorporated pivoting design means that you can angle the railing system to just about any slope while leaving the bracket aligned with the vertical stud. These brackets are extremely easy to install and a versatile solution for any project.
Instantly Create A Continuous Handrail
The seamless, pivoting elbows from Promenaid offer unparalleled flexibility. They make continuous handrail installation a breeze, no matter the shape or angle of your stairwell, ramp or hallway. These unique articulating elbows easily adjust to make any corner or slope transition smooth, simple and precise while maintaining aesthetics and structural integrity.
ADA, Residential and Commercial Code Compliant
With Promenaid, you can rest assured that no matter which handrail you choose, it will be ADA, residential and commercial code compliant. We’ve done the work for you, so all you have to do is order the handrails, knowing that they will meet your needs and satisfy the requirements established to help ensure the safety of all who use them.
Integrated Lighting
Integrated LED lighting allows you to go a step further in ensuring safety when travelling on stairs or ramps. The Channelux™ LED lighting system locks into a patented channel and, after installing the vinyl anti-slip extrusion, fits flush to the handrail. This design ensures a sleek, round profile with no added bulk. These dimmable, high-intensity lights create pleasing cones of light that illuminate the stairway or ramp to your exact specifications.
Promenaid handrails are designed to fit your unique needs. As a result, we offer several purchasing options, including kits and individual components. For your convenience, we also offer a selection of how-to videos and guides to make the installation process as simple as possible. You can also use our convenient search tool to locate a dealer near you, and our team of experts is also available to answer your questions and help you find the right Promenaid projects for your project.
If you’re looking for the perfect handrail for your home or business, look no further than Promenaid. Beautiful. Customized. Overnight. Contact us now for more information.
