Stair handrail

whitesatin

Our 1950s house has a wide, wooden handrail on the stairs. You have to put your hand across it to grip as it is on top of the bit of wall going up the stairs on one side. I had a bit of a fall downstairs a few months back and have lost my confidence. What I would like is a basic round or squared handrail that I can get my whole hand round as I now have arthritis in my hands. My husband is not that keen (he is 7 years young than me and doesn't have any problem), saying that it looks geriatric to have a handrail!

I would rather look geriatric than end up with a broken neck and have decided I will have it done anyway. It will be attached to an outside wall. The stairs are steep and it would just be useful for myself and for my young grandchildren when using the stairs.

Just wondered if anyone has any advice as to the best kind, e.g. I believe you can get them made from stainless steel, wood and who knows what else. I don't want to spend a fortune on one as I would need to pay someone to fit it for me.

Thanks in advance.

mttylad

I recently looked at replacing mine myself.

The rail itself will cost me between £60-80, brackets £2 each.
(http://www.screwfix.com/p/handrail-bracket-polished-brass-65mm/31299)
My big problem is getting it to the stairs, around the corners etc will be a tad tight for me so I may have to have it cut into 2 then rejoined when on the stairs.

The actual fitting though, simply requires 3-4 brackets screwing to the wall with good strong screws that offset it and the rail is screwed on top.

whitesatin

mttylad wrote: »

I recently looked at replacing mine myself.

The rail itself will cost me between £60-80, brackets £2 each.
(http://www.screwfix.com/p/handrail-bracket-polished-brass-65mm/31299)
My big problem is getting it to the stairs, around the corners etc will be a tad tight for me so I may have to have it cut into 2 then rejoined when on the stairs.

The actual fitting though, simply requires 3-4 brackets screwing to the wall with good strong screws that offset it and the rail is screwed on top.

Thankfully, mine would be a straightforward enough job, just in the front door and the stairs are straight ahead. They do have a turn in them with a kind of mini landing but I am not worried about falling on that bit, just on the steep main stairway.

I like the brass brackets on your link.

Good luck with yours. I will definitely go ahead with getting someone in to do mine soon.

ariba10

We have a conventional one on the side away from the wall and fitted a rounded timber one on the wall.

Makes life simpler and safer.

(Don't give a rats bum what anyone thinks)

Norman_Castle

The rail itself will cost me between £60-80, brackets £2 each.

I've fitted a few in recent years. My local timber yard was much cheaper than the diy sheds for wooden stair rail.

Bettie

Mum had one fitted a few years back, she only paid for the rail, the fitting was free. Someone at the health centre gave her the number of some organisation that provided the free fitting. ( she was OAP and it wasn't means tested)

whitesatin

Bettie wrote: »

Mum had one fitted a few years back, she only paid for the rail, the fitting was free. Someone at the health centre gave her the number of some organisation that provided the free fitting. ( she was OAP and it wasn't means tested)

Interesting. I might look around locally to see if there is something similar but, I suspect not.