Can you imagine a flight of stairs without railings? It would be scary to go up without something to hold on to even if it's just three steps. Without railings, stairs would look incomplete and unattractive.
In a two-storey house, the stair railing is usually a major attraction as one enters the ground level. Whatever the material it is made of, this important component of the stairs adds beauty and value to any home.
But other than its decorative purpose, stair railings serve to hold up the balustrade of the staircase and as protection for people as well. For families with small children, these railings can indeed make your kids safe as they go up and down the stairs.
Homeowners and builders have a wide choice today when it comes to using stair railings. The materials available are of various kinds such as wood, iron and metal. Whatever the style you prefer, there should be one suited for you. Or, you can have one customized to fit your specifications.
Materials used
Wood stair railings are the classic choice for many homes. Since the olden days, wood has been a preferred material for railings because they're easy to work with. Oak is the most recommended type of wood for stair railings and it can be used as is or painted with a color to match the overall interior design theme of your home.
While wood provides a unique charm, other materials can be used to make more intricate designs and create a different appeal. Iron and metal railings are also common these days in residential and commercial structures giving the same protection and functionality to users. They can be made with special designs for an attractive look. Other options include glass, stainless steel, stone, aluminum and titanium.
Before deciding on a specific material for your stair railings, it's best that you consult an interior designer to give you an appropriate advice. Whether you're making a stairs indoors or outdoors, a professional can tell you which material would fit your home best. The metal railings are usually ideal for outdoors because of their strength and durability.
How it evolved
The use of stairs dates back to around 6000 B.C. The first known stairs was made of wood trunks and was used for survival. Its main purpose was to enable people to move to higher areas such as valleys and mountains where they would feel more secure.
It was years later that historians discovered the use of the stairs for religious purposes in China. The first stairs in China then was made of granite and led to the Tai Shan, a sacred mountain. Ancient stories say Chinese philosopher Confucius went up this same ladder in the year 55 B.C.
Peter Nicholson was credited for formulating a mathematical system for the construction of stairs and railings by the end of the 19th century. Eva Jiricna of London is recognized as the one who started using glass and stainless steel in designing stairs with a futuristic appeal.
For more information on Stair railings, please visit BuyRailings.com, a leading distributor of railings, hand and foot rails, curtain rods and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar
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