Appealing Handicap Railings Designs

Public buildings like government offices, schools, libraries, etc., need to provide comfortable access to people with disabilities. Things like ramps and handicap railings are essential and will make sure people can move through the building easily. However, many property owners believe installing handicap railings can compromise the design of their property. At Boston Ironworks, we recommend the following tips that will help you create an appealing handicap railings installation:

1. Keep the ADA Guidelines in Mind

The American Disabilities Act lays down firm guidelines on how to build handicap ramps and railings. According to this act, ramps should have handicap railings on both sides of a ramp that runs higher than 6 inches or is longer than 72 inches. The railings should be 12 inches tall from the surface of the ramp and run completely parallel to it.

The railing should be 1 ½ inches away from any wall behind it to ensure people have a comfortable grip. Builders should also ensure the railing provides a proper grip and doesn’t have any rough or sharp texture. Railings should be strong enough to bear the significant weight without breaking down.

2. Ease of Installation and Access

This is an important consideration when it comes to adding ramps and railings to buildings. Ease of handicap railings installation and access are interconnected though most property owners don’t realize this. Long, winding ramps that don’t take the shortest and least-resistant route to the entrance are difficult to plan and build. They are also very difficult for handicap individuals to navigate. Long ramps with frequent turns cause a lot of strain to handicap individuals and can exhaust them.

3. Design of the Handrail

Once you know what guidelines you need to follow, it is easy to create a railing that suits your property’s architecture and design. This is especially true if the building has a minimalist or urban architecture because simple railings are easy to install. You can customize the railing bars and include intricate designs. It is also easy to paint railings in a different color or use different metals as embellishments to enhance the design. Less visible areas like the back entrances don’t need many embellishments or better designs so plain handicap railings installation is sufficient.

For questions and inquiries regarding handicap railings installation, you can call Boston Ironworks at 617 657 3117. You can also fill in this contact us form. We’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.