Aluminum Handrail Parts for DIY Installation

We use stairs every day without thinking about the potential for mishaps. But falling and tripping, particularly on the stairs, is one of the leading causes of accidents in the home. The best way to prevent accidents on stairways is with a handrail or banister. If you are planning to purchase a new aluminum handrail for your home, workplace, or any other facility, carefully consider its installation and the aluminum handrail parts you will need for the project beforehand. This could save you time, frustration, and money.

Aluminum Handrail Parts for DIY Installation

So you’re planning to purchase and install a new handrail yourself. Before you go shopping for your rail, measure from the nosing of the top landing to the floor at the bottom of the stairs and add two feet. This is the length of rail material you will need. You can find code-approved aluminium handrails and the other required materials at most home centers, specialty businesses, or online. In addition to the rail, you will need specific aluminium handrail parts for installation:

Wall Returns

A wall return is a type of end cap that secures the end of your rail to the wall. You will need two wall returns for any given railing system, usually one at the bottom of your stairs and one at the top. Our CHR wall returns can be mounted indoors or outdoors to wood, vinyl, brick, stucco, or concrete walls.

Wall Mounts

A wall mount secures the middle of your rail to the wall. It may also be used to support the weight of a longer rail. At Aluminum Handrail Direct, our 72″, 84″, and 96″ rail lengths will have at least one wall mount included, even if you use wall returns to secure the ends of your railing. Our CHR wall mounts can be mounted indoors or outdoors to wood, vinyl, brick, stucco, or concrete, just like our wall returns.

End Caps

An end cap is a small handrail part that inserts into and covers the end of your rail. End caps help keep debris and insects out of your rail, and are used in place of wall returns. If you choose to mount your railing with wall mounts instead of wall returns, you will need two end caps to cover the rail ends.

Connectors

A connector is used to attach lengths of rail together to make a longer railing system. Connectors can be internal or external. For an internal connector, simply insert the connector in one end of the rail (with the screw facing up), slide the collar over the other length of railing, and push it over the other end of the connector. Remove the screw, and push the lengths together in the collar ring, which will hide the seam.

Mounting Screws and Anchors

Mounting screws and anchors are the aluminum handrail parts that hold wall returns or wall mounts to your wood, vinyl, brick, stucco, or concrete wall. A properly secured rail increases the stability and safety of your handrail. You do not want to be caught with the incorrect number of screws. Purchasing a few extra for your DIY installation project never hurts.

Parts at Aluminum Handrail Direct

At Aluminum Handrail Direct, we offer high-quality, durable handrail components that allow you to design and assemble railings for just about every application you can imagine. If you have questions about any of our aluminium handrail parts, call us at 417-409-3179 or visit Aluminum Handrail Direct’s online store today. We offer handrails, wall mounts, mounting screws and anchors, touch-up spray paint, and much more. We look forward to hearing from you!