A Guide To Painting Handrails In Melbourne

Whilst handrails are a vital safety feature of your staircase, this does not mean that they cannot be attractive and stylish. By painting your rail in the same colour as the staircase or in another colour that has been used around the room, you can make it a real feature of the space. This guide will provide you with everything you need to successfully paint handrails in Melbourne.

Step 1: If the rail is detachable, lay it across two sawhorses. If it isn’t, cover the surrounding area with a protective plastic sheet and painter’s tape to protect it from the paint.

Step 2: Use a general-purpose primer to prepare the rail’s surface. If the handrail was stained, you will need to use a stain-blocking general-purpose primer to ensure that the stain doesn’t show through.

Step 3: Paint handrails in Melbourne using an oil-based interior paint. You can use any sheen, but semi-gloss is said to work best. Once this first coat has dried, make sure that you apply a second for thicker coverage.

Step 4: Leave the handrail to dry completely for 24 hours. You can then remove the plastic sheet and painters tape or reattach the rail to the wall, allowing people to use it as they walk up and down the staircase.

When choosing a colour for your handrail, make sure that you match it as closely as possible to the colour of your staircase or another element in the room. Just keep in mind that, as the paint used for handrails in Melbourne needs to have a semi-gloss sheen, this may affect the appearance of the colour once the paint has dried. Your best bet is to paint a test patch to see how it matches.

What Are The Building Regulations For Spiral Stairs?

There are a number of reasons why a homeowner may choose to install spiral stairs in their home – they may think that the aesthetic appeal of these stairs will greatly benefit their home, or they may have an overly small room that they need to squeeze the flight into. For whatever reason, it is important that your spiral steps are made according to the correct building regulations.

Whilst you will need to check both the local and state authorities for codes that are relevant to your project, you will probably find that their regulations regarding spiral stairs are fairly similar. Some of the codes that you will have to meet include:

• The width of the tread (at and below the handrail) must be at least 26 inches wide.
• Each tread must be at least 7.5 inches deep (measured a foot from the narrowest edge of the step) and must rise no higher than 9.5 inches from the tread below. 
• The clear headroom (measured from the top of each step) must be at least 80 inches high.

For any areas that have not been specifically outlined in the code for spiral stairs they must comply with the regulations that have been outlined for standard steps. This includes the installation of a handrail on at least one side of the flight, a height between 34 and 38 inches high, and specifications of the handrail. This basic code will also include instructions on how the stairs are to be lit, ensuring safety when traversing between floors.

Popular Materials For Balustrading In Melbourne

Balustrading in Melbourne does not only perform a decorative function (in that it makes our staircases look nice); it is extremely important in preventing people (children especially) in falling beneath the handrail and crashing down onto the floor. To ensure that the material is sturdy enough to complete this role whilst still being highly attractive, you should choose between the following types: 

•  Timber – This would have to be one of the more popular balustrading materials, as it is quite versatile. The wood can be turned (meaning that they will be smooth and circular) or they can be left square; you could even use logs if you want. 
•  Glass – This is a material that is slowly becoming more popular for balustrading in Melbourne. To meet coding requirements, the glass must be tempered to ensure it is strong enough to withstand knocks. As it has no gaps, this material is incredibly safe. 
•  Wire – This would have to be one of the least popular balustrading materials; the wire is run from one end of the staircase to the other, often through timber or metal posts. The wire must be set to the correct tension, as if it sags this is considered unsafe.

When choosing balustrading in Melbourne for your own project, it is important to assess the décor and style of your home and the staircase in general. If your home has a more modern look, for example, you would probably benefit most from the glass or even the wire balustrading. If your home is more traditional, on the other hand, timber would probably work best.