How to Choose the Best Material for Custom Handrails

A custom handrail can add a lot to your home. You can fully control the look of the rail and adjust it to exact measurements for whatever project you’re doing, work creatively within a budget, and many other things that you can’t do with shelves on the mass-production market.

However, that can also get a bit overwhelming. Especially when it comes to settling on a material that will give you the look and functionality that you want. 

Today, we’re going to go over the details you need to consider when choosing the right material for a custom handrail to get one of the biggest factors in your purchase out of the way.

The Location Matters

One of the biggest determining factors in what the right handrail material is for you is where you plan to put it.

Most importantly, you need to determine if you need an indoor or outdoor handrail. An indoor handrail isn’t going to need protection from the elements, and you can typically get by with less robust materials because of that.

Something like stainless steel or aluminum will perform a lot better as a handrail for your outdoor staircase than brass or another metal that shows weathering easily.

However, if it’s a handrail for an indoor flight of stairs or elevated walkway, you can get away with materials that are meant to slowly wither and build charm as you touch them over the years. This includes fancier metals used for luxurious railings.

The Visual Design of Your Home

Another factor you want to consider is the visual design of your home. You don’t want to add something that looks extremely modern to a mid-century rustic home, and you don’t want to put something that looks like it came from the Victorian era into a contemporary home with modern decor. It just doesn’t make visual sense when you do that.

Different materials will generally match different visuals more or less than others. Of course, if you’re unsure what will match your home the best, you can always ask the custom company’s design specialist. They understand the more complicated design aspects behind the decision, and they can help guide you toward the perfect choice in a visual sense.

The Amount of Traffic and Abuse You Expect the Railing to Deal With

You might need to worry about the visual value of the railing and how well it handles the elements, but a lot of homeowners don’t consider the amount of traffic it’s going to see in a day and whether it’s prone to being abused or not.

For example, a handrailing on the stairwell leading down from your elevated driveway to your home is going to see tons of traffic every day. You have to use it to enter and leave your home. In the same way, a handrailing the kids are going to use a lot, or one that goes to a room where you constantly move large furniture in and out of will see a lot more abuse. 

You want something that can withstand that abuse and not show damage for many years to come.

Consider Your Budget

Usually when you mention custom versions of anything, people expect a hefty price tag. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s fairly easy to work within a variety of budgets when it comes to handrails. They can be rather affordable, or you can get as creative as you want end up with a luxurious handrail and bill to match.

However, you still have to have your budget in mind, regardless. Especially when it comes to the materials you choose. Those make up much of the final price.

Common budget-friendly materials such as aluminum tend to be the most budget friendly, but if you start to look at more luxurious metals, your price is going to climb dramatically. It’s worth it in the right situations, but it’s still a major consideration.

Also Read: Handrail Installation: Before & After

Are You a Business or Homeowner?

Another key point to consider is the type of location you’ll be putting the handrail in. Commercial businesses are usually going to see a ton of traffic, and handrails are going to have thousands of hands touching them every day. With many materials, that can naturally start to discolor the material and cause an aged effect. Sometimes, that’s a good thing and helps develop charm depending on the aesthetic, but it’s usually not something a modern commercial business wants.

In comparison, homeowners might want metal handrails to develop a sense of charm and character with discoloration and slight oxidization. A sense of age and history can add a lot of sentimental and financial value to a home that is otherwise detrimental to a business.

Is Wood a Good Option?

Metal handrails are all the rage because they seem impervious to age, but wood can be an amazing choice. Especially if you want a more elegant and vintage look that would require a fancier metal. Wood can often be cheaper and still look amazing.

However, you have to ask yourself the same questions about the home’s aesthetic, whether it’ll be indoors or outdoors, and if there will be a lot of traffic. This is even more important with wood, because it can soak up the oils in your hands and greatly discolor, the elements are extremely destructive if it’s not sealed and maintained properly, and it’s a lot more prone to damage due to gouges, scrapes, etc.

What Features are Offered for Different Materials

A custom handrail manufacturer will often offer a variety of extra features you can choose from to fully customize your handrail order. However, you can’t do everything to just any material. Some things are available for certain materials and don’t work for others.

If there are any specific sealants or coating options you want, pick a material that those things can be done to.

Order Your Custom Handrails from Integrated Metal Designs

One thing that’s certain, if you want to go the extra mile and get a custom handrail, you need a manufacturer you can trust.

At Integrated Metal Designs, we specialize in creating custom handrails from high-quality materials such as stainless steel, wrought iron, and aluminum. We use advanced CAD designs and expert craftsmanship. Integrated Metal Design’s team delivers exceptional railings tailored to your specific needs and style preferences.

In addition to custom hand rails, we also design and fabricate custom range hoods that combine functionality and elegance for interior designs. Whether you need a range hood crafted from stainless steel, copper, or brass, our team delivers stunning designs that elevate the look of your kitchen while providing powerful ventilation.

We are privileged to bring your design ideas to life, ensuring every detail is tailored to perfection. Whether you’re looking for custom handrails for a unique staircase or balcony, or a range hood to transform your kitchen, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get started on your next custom project!