Stair handrail ideas/options.

Boohoo

Hello.


My dad is finding using the stairs a bit harder these days as he says 1st thing in the morning when going downstairs he leans on the wall while holding the banister's to give him more support.
I said i would fit a handrail for him.
He has a right handed winder staircase that has 7 steps up and the 3 steps angled right and then the last 2 steps to top.
I was going to get a mopstick handrail.
I know you fit the rail to the wall using brackets but what options would i have for where the long rail goes from the foot of the stairs and meets the right turn to the top stairs.
I know if i used a handrail joiner/elbow to connect the long and small rails together it would look great but the part i looked at was £50.
A link here. http://www.shawstairs.com/fusion-wall-handrail-90-degree-corner-and-angle-connector-p-1775.html


Any help/advice would be very welcome.

Helpless50

I fitted a handrail for and old person 2 doors from me last year as they were having probs going up and down the stairs but theirs was a straight run so not too bad.
The biggest problem was getting the handrail delivered to the house as they had a 3.2M long handrail and the delivery charge was over £20 on top of the rail.
He tried local firms, Jewsons.T/P and Ridgeons but they wanted a min order value before delivery.

prosaver

maybe buy them in sections

these are a bit expensive but just an idea..

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/diy/timber/handrails-and-stair-parts

Boohoo

I did have a look at Homebase and BQ for ideas and getting smaller sizes rails but then you have to get a joiner to cover the 2 halves but the old boy just wants 1 straight rail up the stairs and the 1m - 2m going up the 3/4 steps to the landing.
I/we live 4-5 miles from the 2 stores and the builders merchants so i will not be carrying 3.2m handrail through the streets.
I have looked on web and ebay and they are some for about £26 plus £13 p&p but they give a rough delivery time scale of 2/3 days upto 4 weeks and the old boy would have to be at home to take delivery. I and he would like it done before the end of April as i will be away for 2 weeks and then when come home he is on holiday for 3 weeks.

no1catman

I had one fitted via Age UK - granted had to pay for it, but then later the same 'handy man' did a free energy and fire safety survey. So, had some spare, low energy bulbs, and a couple carbon monoxide monitors - for free.

Boohoo

I/we have ordered the handrail and should be there on Thursday.
It is a 54mm mopstick rail which should be more sturdier.
I got a 4.2m rail as the stairs are 3m up and then a 1m turn to the top and 4 end caps.
How many brackets will need for the 3m run?
I was thinking of 4 maybe 5 and 2 or 3 for the 1m run.
Also what finish would you do for the wood, wood stain, varnish are 2 but he doesn't want it painted.
The rail is pine if that matters.
As for Age UK they would not do it but have a list of some trades that they give and it's then upto the old person to decide on who they go to.
He had 1 quote for £325 all in but i don't know if that is good or bad.

PasturesNew

I saw a gadget that fits to handrails .... so when you choose you might like to consider this and "forward plan".

Here it is

https://stairsteady.net/

They're about £500 probably .... but you're looking at independence here - and no accidents. One accident and 3 weeks in Hospital, with visiting and everything else, the incidental spends and sorting things out, can cost you that to organise.

ariba10

I don't know if I have read this right, but you had a problem getting a rail long enough and now you have to cut it to fit?

Boohoo

I don't know if I have read this right, but you had a problem getting a rail long enough and now you have to cut it to fit?

No you have not read it right.

I was having an issue with getting the rail delivered as not having a van and a poster suggested getting smaller sizes and join them together.