I’m looking for a better solution to a handrail situation when coming down the open side of a scissor style stair , with winder treads around the transition post . Our building code requires the rail to continue from top to bottom . The problem with that is ugly 3 foot goose neck that parallels the winder post , not to mention the extra 2 inches the bottom flight rail has to encroach the stair clearance to allow for the tread returns and stringer . Top that off with a 6 inch rail return at the first rise and 3 inch thick rosettes behind the wall rail brackets you have a gaudy but necessary rail system, which usually takes away from a beautiful stair . Any practical alternatives out there ?
Edited 2/11/2006 2:34 pm ET by Benji
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One of the problems is any time you have a switchback stair ( what I think you are calling a scissor style stair) having a newel post at the turn (a winder post) forces you into some clumsy or at best inelegant decisions for winding the rail around.
As for "any practical alternatives out there ?" well it may not be practical but the best way to make those turns is in what's called a wreath turn. It's not "practical" per se in that you can't just go out and buy a wreath off the shelf. It's a custom fabrication but it is the best most elegant way to make that kind of turn.
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I agree with the elegance of the wreath example (nice looking stair , by the way!). I rarely have a customer who is willing to go that extra mile .
Unfortunately there just isn't really anything else you can do that wont looked cobbled together. We've actually made doing turns like that a specialty so that we get precisely the kind of clients that want and need that kind of work.
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I would avoid the long drop on the gooseneck if at all possible, it not only looks terrible but creates a lever action that can break the joint in the gooseneck. What good is that part of the that's running vertical? It really doesn't serve the intent of the code in having a continuous rail that can provide support if needed. Good luck.
Find a stair shop that installs rails in your area and see what they have in mind. In the case your talking about, some inspectors allow a little leaway and some don't. So, get in touch with him about some solutions.
Most inspectors are glad you thought to ask them and, if his idea is workable, it's his. How could he fail it?
In some cases in the past we've been able to seel the Inspector on one of the wider winder treads being a landing. That opens up a few more opportinities but not many.