Problem –
IRC and most other codes stipulate that handrails must be continuous on flights of stairs.
Manufacturers of synthetic railing systems (TimberTech, Premier, etc.) seem to all limit their railing lengths to a maximum of 8 feet. Otherwise, you have to interrupt the railing run with a post, which is fine on a flat deck or balcony but NOT on a stair (would interrupt the railing).
Therefore, if you have a stairway (for instance, down from a deck or balcony) where the length of the railing would exceed 8 feet and want to use a synthetic railing system you can’t – unless you put an intermediate landing or a secondary (pipe) rail for gripping purposes to meet code.
Thoughts?
Jeff
Replies
it might be tough to match style-wise but you could make the intermediate newell an "over the post" newell
of course you will still end up with a scarf joint.
or maybe an extra beefy structural baluster..
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
TimberTech (one of the best) won't allow you to do that because they require a baluster attached to the post and the railings can't join end-to-end, unfortunately.
Jeff