Shopping for accessible handrails is a little more complicated than picking typical handrails because you need to consider a wide range of abilities and needs. Whether you’re choosing it for your home, public buildings, or outdoor applications, the right handrail is absolutely critical for providing stable support.
With so many materials, styles, and installation methods available, it’s important to know what to look for in a good handicap handrail. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best handicap railings for your needs. Let’s get started!
Key Features to Look for When Buying Handicap Handrails
Unlike standard handrails, which may focus on aesthetics, handicap rails focus on safety, grip, and accessibility compliance. They are commonly installed in homes, businesses, and outdoor spaces to ensure a secure and reliable support system. Here are the key features you should look for when buying handicap handrails.
1. Grip & Comfort
If you want to ensure your handrail provides the right grip and comfort, you need to focus on one that allows the user to have a power grip. A power grip is achieved when the fingers curl towards the thumb, creating a grip with the palm firmly wrapped around the handrail. This grip is five times stronger than a pinch grip because it allows the fingers to wrap most of the way around the diameter of the handrail for added stability.
That’s why we recommend looking for handrails with a comfortable diameter that allows for full hand closure, which can reduce the risk of slipping. A non-slip surface or textured finish can further enhance the grip, especially for individuals with limited hand strength.
2. Weight Capacity & Durability
Handrails must be strong enough to provide reliable support. Building codes and ADA standards require that a handrail be able to withstand a concentrated load of 200 lbs. of downward force. This ensures that if someone stumbles, the handrail can help them regain balance. Materials like anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and composite options offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios and long-term reliability.
3. Extensions for Accessibility
To comply with ADA standards, accessible handrails for stairs and ramps are required by the ADA standards to include extensions on the top and bottom of the walking surface.
- Ramps: For ramp handicap handrails, you need to focus on stability. At the tops and bottom of a ramp, the handrail must extend horizontally above the landing for at least 12”. These extensions must then return to a wall, guard, or landing surface or be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent ramp run.
- Stairs (Top): The extension at the top of a flight of stairs must extend horizontally above the landing for at least 12”. This measurement begins above the first riser nosing. The extension must terminate into the wall, guard, or landing surface or be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent flight of stairs.
- Stairs (Bottom): At the bottom of a stairway, the accessible handrail must extend at the slope of the flight for a horizontal distance equal to at least one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. The extension must then return to a wall, guard, or landing surface or be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent flight.
These extensions provide additional stability and prevent abrupt ends, making transitions smoother and safer for anyone who uses them.
4. Continuous Handrails & Adjustability
ADA standards require accessible handrails to be continuous for the length of the stairs or ramp. Many times, this means that the accessible stair rail or ramp rail must turn a corner or change elevation. Standard handrails require complicated connections and cannot turn corners easily. Promenaid makes bends that are fully adjustable to turn any corner and change elevation anywhere they need to.
5. Installation Ease
Accessible railing installation doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Choosing a handrail with brackets that twist and lock into place rather than attach to the handrail with screws makes positioning and repositioning quick and easy.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Many homeowners opt for DIY installation, especially with easy-to-mount handrails. If your installation requires custom cuts, turning corners, or special wall mounts, hiring a professional may be the best choice for a seamless and secure setup.
Looking for some help designing your home? Check out this incredible resource on the essentials of handicap-accessible shower design.
Interior vs. Exterior Handicap Handrail Applications
When you’re shopping for accessible handrails for home or commercial applications, it’s important to consider where the accessible rails will be located. This will play a large part in the type of accessible handrail you choose.
- Outdoor Applications: For outdoor handicap handrails for steps and ramps, you should choose a material that will stand up to the elements without developing rust or corrosion. Stainless steel and aluminum are both perfectly suitable for exterior handicap railing.
- Indoor Applications: When searching for handicap handrails for homes or other indoor applications, you should look for materials like wood, stainless steel, or aluminum. Stainless steel has a tendency to look clinical and impersonal. Aluminum, particularly satin anodized aluminum, is available in a variety of colors that can enhance the design and won’t chip or flake.
The Best Options for Handicap Accessible Handrails
At Promenaid, we offer handicap handrails for steps, stairs, and ramps, and they are far superior to the products found at Home Depot or Lowe’s. We pride ourselves on easy handicap handrail installation thanks to our innovative patented bracket system that simply twists and locks into place. Once the brackets are placed, a vinyl extrusion completes the round profile to provide a power grip.
Endura Anodized Aluminum Handicap Handrails
Our Endura anodized aluminum handicap handrails come in six elegant finishes that can enhance any design aesthetic. They come in a variety of colors, including Champagne, Silver, Satin Black, Architectural Bronze, and more!
TrueWood™ Handicap Handrails
If you want the warmth and comfort of wood but don’t want to stress over staining or painting a wood handrail, then TrueWood™ handrails are the perfect solution—for indoor use only. Our aluminum handicap handrails are wrapped with real oak or walnut to provide the strength and durability of aluminum with the natural beauty of wood.
Powder Coated Pivoting and Sprocketlock Brackets
At Promenaid, our Pivoting and Sprocketlock brackets are powder-coated to increase durability and style. And our powder-coated finishes perfectly complement all of our satin anodized and TrueWood™ handrails. Not only are these brackets beautiful, but they can also withstand 500 lbs. of force, which exceeds ADA standards.
Elevate Your Handicap Handrails with Promenaid
The right handicap handrail enhances safety, accessibility, and peace of mind. Whether you need indoor stair railings or durable outdoor handicap railings, make an informed choice with help from industry experts. At Promenaid, our superior handrails offer effortless installation, elegant finishes, and industry-leading safety features.
Contact us today to find the perfect handrail for your needs!
