Porches can have different height. According to the rules, if the staircase leading to the porch consists of more than three steps, it must be equipped with the railings. Railings for the porch will protect you from falling, become a support or just an element of design. To make the railings comfortable, durable and safe, you have to observe a number of basic rules.

Compatibility of materials

To build the handrails on the terrace, people usually use such materials as steel, wood, stone or concrete. You will rarely see such unusual articles as vinyl or plastic handrails or railings. Accordingly, their price is also slightly different. When choosing the material, you should take into account not only its practical and aesthetic features, but also its compatibility with the material of the steps and the façade of the building.
Thus, specialists not recommend using concrete or stone for the decoration of wooden staircase on the terrace, as it would look weird. Besides, an impressive weight of structure will soon make a structure unfit: it will cover with kinks, cracks and holes.

Wooden railings

Different types of wood harmonize with each other, and their price is very good. Such handrails and railings are one of the most economical options. However, they are quite fragile and require systematic processing with antiseptics that can protect them from negative factors (precipitation, mold, frost, etc., especially if the structure is located on the terrace).


It is important that wooden railings are perfectly smooth, without nicks, splinters and cracks. Otherwise, the person can hurt his/her hand.

If you want to build the staircase for the porch with your own hands, wood is probably the only solution for a non-professional (and only if you have certain skills and tool for the work with wood).

Stainless steel railings and forged products

Steel is a universal material for the entrance stairs to the shops and other public spaces. Steel railings and handrails are compatible with many materials – stone, concrete and glass. However, they aren’t compatible with wood, as a contrast of textures is too high.
Even though such railings for the porch must be regularly processed with anti-corrosion products, they have a quite democratic price.
Forged railings and characterized by durability, elegance and resistance to the temperature changes. Besides, considerable variety of stylistic solutions for the railings allows you to find an interesting option for the terrace, which would be appropriate for the architectural design of the building.

Forged railings for the porch will add individual characteristics to the façade of any building and terrace. Forging allows you to realize a large number of stylistic ideas (attractive, light or sophisticated), but only with a skillful design and embodiment. The main drawback of forged products is their price. They are quite expensive. In this, the price of railings increases proportionally to the complexity of pattern.
Forged railings are mainly installed on the concrete or metal porches. On the concrete porch, the railings are mounted on the tile facing, where you should make a hole.

Then you should act as follows:

  1. for a reliable fixation of the handrails, you can board up the ribbed armature (10-12 mm) into the hole with the same size;
  2. you can fix the railings by means of mounting into the liquid concrete solution;
  3. fastening can be also made with a spacing anchor;
  4. to give a chic, the railings are processed with patina for the forging (pictured below). Obviously, the price of these products increases immediately.

Construction of the stair railings

The main structure of railings consists of racks and handrails, stacked on them. If the racks perform not only bearing but also protective function, such device is called “lattice”.
If the panels stand on the racks, such railings can be attributed to the panel type. Panels can be made of any material (including glass and plastic) — the selection of product is limited only to your aesthetic and practical preferences.

Regardless of the stair slope, support stands (balusters) must be placed only vertically. Such racks can be mounted into the pre-arranged niches or connected to the ends of the bearing parts of staircase.
To create the railings and reinforce the supportive functions between the racks, the space is filled with horizontal components or intermediate racks.

Wood racks are usually connected to the railings made with the aid of connections of stud or bush type. Metal strip, closed with the bolts and attached to the handrail, is used for tightening the steel racks. Fastening for the handrails, made of concrete and stone, is provided by anchorages, placed in the upper edges of the racks yet at the manufacturing stage.

Proportions of the railings

The clearance between each component of railings must not exceed 10 cm (at least if there is a possibility that the child will stand next to the railings). Such proportions guarantee that the child can’t stick the head in the gap between the balusters.

The height of the railing is calculated so that the person feels comfortable while holding onto the railings. The recommended height is 90 cm from the porch or upper surface of the steps. When building the stairs for the porch; you can perform a personal calculation according to the height of the house owners.
If you want that your children feel comfortable while climbing the stairs, you can place the other handrails on special brackets on the railing racks.

If you are interested in this article (or if you have something to add), you can leave your comments below. Write us if you have already built the entrance stairs for the high foundation of the house or equip the terrace. Your experience will be useful for the other readers.