Hi,
We are having our old (1940s) front concrete stoop replaced with a new stamped concrete stoop. The current stoop has 3 steps and contains an old iron railing (very common in 1940-1960 houses etc). The new steps are going to be a little wider so I don’t think the current railing will work anymore. I have gone to a couple of places in town (Seattle) and no one really has iron railings. Seems like most people use aluminum or wood. I’d prefer not to use a wood railing (it is a concrete set of steps so wood just doesn’t seem as long lasting). Is the aluminum railing the best option? It seems kinda boring (lots of new condos etc have the aluminum railing, I haven’t see too many single family dwellings with it)
I was curious if anyone has any suggestions.
Replies
nic,
You did not mention where you are located, but ... if you want iron railings ...get them. I am sure if you let your fingers do the walking, there has got to be someone in your town that either sells, or will make a set of railings for you.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
Steel railings are available at our local True Value hardware. They're faily easy to install, you just need a hammerdrill or rotary hammer for the anchor bolts. If they don't carry them, ask if they can order them. I did a porch last year with two straight sections and one stair incline (made from straight railiing by bending it) and the total cost wasn't much over $125.
Another option is to have one made by a metal shop. Look in the yellow pages under 'iron-ornamental'. Pricey, maybe, but it would put an individual stamp on your home.
Rather than screwing a railing down to the stoop with anchors, you could imbed pipes in the concrete, flush with the surface. Then you'll have ready made holes to grout the posts into. This requires the whole job thought out before the concrete is poured, of course.
Are you going to dye the concrete in addition to stamping it? I've had good success with dyeing concrete to give some bulk color to it.
A few years ago I toyed with the idea of making a railing of bent brass pipe. I was going to take some pipe to a local exhaust shop who had a guy that was supposed to be really good at bending. I never got to do it. For a mid-century house I'd think an iron railing would be more fitting, though.