Railings are more than a decorative trim you add on once everything else is in place. For commercial buildings, the railings you choose are part of your safety infrastructure, and they are used daily by occupants of all abilities.
Getting the wrong railing or installing it incorrectly leads to repair work, safety incidents, and compliance headaches, and no one wants to end up there.
The key is to focus on the elements that make a railing work well, not just look good.
Here are some of the more important considerations for commercial railings.
Correct Measurements and Placements
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their railing systems is inaccurate measuring.
Railings on stairs, walkways, ramps, and balconies all have specific height and spacing requirements that vary by location and use. If the measurements are even the slightest bit off, the railing can fail to meet safety standards or perform as expected.
For example, spacing between balusters or infill must be tight enough to prevent falls, and handrails must be placed where users can grip them comfortably and confidently. If installers eyeball measurements or don’t double-check before cutting or drilling, the resulting product will often need rework.
The Right Materials
Your railings will be exposed to high levels of wear and tear, and this means you need to choose materials that can withstand this. But still picking the wrong materials is something people often fall victim to, and they only realise once they’ve been installed. Let’s take steel as an example. If it’s exposed to moisture or humidity, it will corrode if not finished correctly.
Material choice is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about longevity and safety. Poor material choices won’t just stop looking good after a while, but things like corrosion can lead to premature failure. So bear this in mind before making your final decision. If you’re not sure what materials will work best for you, talk to expert railing companies who can advise you on what to pick for the best results.
Ensure Fittings and Supports Are Secure
A railing is only as good as its fittings. Loose or inadequate anchoring defeats the purpose entirely because railings are supposed to withstand pressure and prevent falls.
This means your alignments need solid structural support behind them. Whether mounted on concrete steel framing or wood substrates, the anchor points must be disengaged and installed to resist lateral forces. If this is overlooked, the railing may shift or fail entirely.
Check Usability
This is really important. Your rails are designed to be used. They’re not decorative. They are meant to be grasped and held, even leaned on. The rail profile does not allow for a firm grip if it’s too slippery or the shape and diameter are wrong; people won’t be able to use it the way it was intended, or they need to. And handrails that are hard to grasp are unsafe and will likely fail building codes as well.
You need to make sure your rails can be gripped easily. And that they don’t move, rotate, pinch, or obstruct the hand. It’s a simple step, but one that is often overlooked in favour of other design elements or to fit the environment aesthetically, not functionally.
