skip to main content

Building a Home

Anybody putting in stainless steel railings for staircase???

16 years ago

I am trying to figure out what I want to do as far as my staircase. I have started to think about stainless steel (brushed maybe) for the railings. I will need a lot of railing (staircase, open loft and walkway upstairs). I don't want it to look industrial, just contemporary. Has anyone done this? What about cost?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

loralee_2007
16 years ago
Hi OP, I too was looking for the same thing you are. I did extensive google searches, I'm talking upwards of 12+ hours of research, and just couldn't find anybody who makes these as a "standard" item - if I went with this, it would have to be custom made and I was quoted $30Cdn each for just a plain baluster!

HOWEVER,

I did find a compromise at a GREAT price IMHO! The link below is to a company in Canada, but if you click the top right corner "Online Store" it will take you to all of the product they have available, priced in US$ if you prefer.

I ended up choosing the chrome baluster with a beautiful brushed pewter sleeve. These run about $10.68Cdn each. Plain chrome baluster is around $7Cdn each.

I've ordered samples just to make sure they were the quality I wanted and had the right look, and I'm extremely happy with what I've chosen.

Good luck, I hope the link is helpful to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal Balusters
0
loralee_2007
16 years ago
Sorry, what I actually ordered was the satin chrome w/antique nickel sleeve...I don't know where the thought of brushed pewter came from lol.
0
Related Discussions
Side by Side Stainless Steel Fridge
Q
Comments (7)
Hi--my Samsung side by side (26 cuft) arrived today. It was the best looking of the bunch in my opinion, but also gets great reviews from consumers...and its design sets itself apart from many of the other choices in the field you're looking at. It replaced a 15 yo kenmore side by side ...Like you, I much prefer the side by side style. Lowes, Sears and many others just started carrying more Samsung models these last few months. Oh, and the price was very competetive.
...See More
Does your salt pool rust your stainless steel handrails?
Q
Comments (12)
If stainless is not "electro polished" (chemical passivation) then certain grades are more prone to corrosion. If you're seeing actual rust, it's more likely that the stainless steel was contaminated with "free iron" somewhere in the manufacturing process. This could be from machining tools that had also been used on iron or steel, steel wire brush, the drill bit used on the mounting holes, etc. Basically, anything previously used on another metal shouldn't come in contact with the stainless steel. The passivation process will remove the "free iron" and other contaminates from the stainless and promote the formation of the beneficial oxide film. I suspect that the pool hand rail and diving board manufactures don't use a passivation step on their stainless steel. It makes some sense given that prior to the advent of SWG (salt pools), there was little need. With the SWG, and thus the salt (electrolyte), it would make more sense to have this done. I'd ask the manufactures if they are using chemical passivation on their stainless steel products. If not, it may be worth having the process done on stainless steel that's going to live in a salt pool. Last but not least, I'm not sure about the use of Bronze or Brass anchors with stainless steel. With the presence of the salt in the pool, would that not promote galvanic corrosion? If the stainless is passive, it's the bronze/brass that will corrode, but with standard stainless, I think it's going to be the sacrificial lamb.
...See More
Do you regret your stainless steel appliances?
Q
Comments (47)
My realtor said SS appliances are a must to sell. We were reaching the point where all our appliances had to be replaced. They were not functioning well. So because we are moving in a year we now have new SS appliances, except the fridge. I don't like them very much compared to my old white ones. The fingerprints are super annoying but I hope to purchase some products this week to help. The worst is the Bosch DW with fingerprints. I looked in many kitchen showrooms and there were no other appliances to see. They were all SS. So while you can still order white, its really difficult to see it in person before you purchase. That is a huge frustration since as we know, "white" comes in so many different shades. I do think the newer slate is kind of interesting. We'll see where that goes. And you can always buy those big appliance magnets that change the color!! LOL!
...See More
Switch from white to stainless steel appliances in small rental?
Q
Comments (29)
Thank you all for your comments. hollybar, I wanted to powder coat the stove because I think a mint green stove would look cute in a 1950s kitchen, and because it's not very expensive. I hope that my current tenants (who have lived there for less than a month) enjoy living in the house and stay for several years. My husband wasn't very excited about mint green, and it sounds like nobody here is either, so I'll probably stick with the more universally appealing white. I hadn't considered burn marks, but the tables were a DIY project meant to last 5-10 years until we get around to changing the window and adding cabinets on that side of the kitchen. The hickory for the butcher block tops only cost $50, and hopefully I can turn them over or plane them between tenants if they are burnt. I agree with you that table height looks wrong next to the window, but it's done now and there is no way my husband could be prevailed upon to change it!
...See More
ToxDocAR
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the link.
0
efmiller
16 years ago
We are using stainless (or is it aluminum - I can't even remember what the material is right now). Ours is probably more of an industrial look than what you are considering. We only need hand rails. We had a couple of ideas of using existing materials, but because of code, ended up having to have it fabricated - @ $50/linear ft. We had considered using basically fence post type material or those long handicap type bars in a pattern, but code required that the hand rail wrap around the top and bottom wall, so much for low cost alternatives!
0
ToxDocAR
Original Author
16 years ago
Efmiller-I haven't started pricing anything yet. Is $50/linear foot considered very high price? I'm not sure about code either. I am outside of the city limits and I know some things we can get by with.

I haven't found a picture of exactly what I want. The staircase will be curved. Hopefully it will be a free standing inside radius.
These are rougly what I am looking for. But not exactly. The first one looks a little too much like a cheese slicer and the others look too much like railing used for a cruise ship. lol
0

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Stainless Steel

By Bonnie McCarthy

Protect this popular kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Steel Fuses Industrial and Modern in a California Pavilion

By Mitchell Parker

Heavy on metal, this two-story addition entertains with a stargazing hot tub, a fire pole and an unusual fire feature

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: Put Industrial Mesh to Work Around the Home

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

From open gratings to fine weaves, commercial metal mesh is a durable and beautiful choice for residences too

BATHROOM DESIGN Why You Might Want to Put Your Tub in the Shower

By By Any Design Ltd.

Save space, cleanup time and maybe even a little money with a shower-bathtub combo. These examples show how to do it right

DENS AND LIBRARIES These Rooms Put the Allure of Books Front and Center

By Simon Farrell-Green

Immerse yourself in a collection of book-filled rooms that indulge a passion for the printed page

STAIRWAYS How to Update Your Stairs and Railings

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Take your staircase to the next level with these 13 ideas

REMODELING GUIDES Artful Stairs: Continuity in Steel

Ribbonlike Stairs of Steel Seem to Nearly Float on Air

TASTEMAKERS Expert Talk: Maynard Studios' Masterful Railings

By Lawrence Karol

These steel stair railings are hand forged, and no two are alike. See how they're made and how they take rooms from plain to breathtaking

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: Getting a Feel for Steel

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Versatile and strong beyond belief, steel can create amazing expressions in homes and landscapes

WINDOWS Steel-Framed Windows Leap Forward Into Modern Designs

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

With a mild-mannered profile but super strength, steel-framed windows are champions of design freedom

Sponsored

More Discussions

It's May 2024. How is your build going?

70

Critique Our Architecture Plans!

44

Need opinion on the new plan

14

desperately need help-new toilet makes hissing noise every 15 minutes

31

Anyone built 4 story detached home Toronto

2