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villainteriors Tightened stainless wire rope looks great (STROPS). I think it is used in marine applications but also as railings done with up to about 6x horizontally/ Nice clean and simple.

pr1970 Yes did consider the wire type. Are they safe for young kids? We have a 2 and 4 year old.

villainteriors Not really, they can climb or squeeze through unless they are vertical and close together. If you like modern commercial looking interiors what about a simplistic panel with stainless bolts just to add a minimalistic feature. This would not be transparent though. Imagine the sticky fingers on the glass anyway.... Constant cleaning with children.

olldbobbi I was thinking smoked acrylic panels? Or textured acrylic panels to avoid the fingerprint dilemma?

villainteriors The only down side with acrylic is it scratches, even careful cleaning can scratch unless you use a special cleaner and soft cloth like an old nappy. I had a ghost chair "NIGHTMARE" I can see little hands with metal cars MMMMMM!

olldbobbi This is true, the scratching part is a mess. I saw a DIY show where they sanded the acrylic before installation just for that reason, and it was great!

villainteriors I know iron isnt contemporary as such but I had a client where we did a modern take using quite a random knotted twisted approach. It looked awesome.

benniebonita Brick may be a option

Dytecture I agree there is no way around having a 'modern' look without using one of the two materials. However, stainless steel would be lower maintenance.

thegoddess317 I built mine out of black maleable iron pipe (any Home Depot or Lowes.) It's easy to fit together and you drill/secure the flange directly into the cement. If it's too industrial try the galvanized or paint it. (If you clear coat or paint it, you may want to do so before installing.)

pr1970 Thanks for the replies.

Bobbi P.. Sounds interesting about sanding the acrylic panels. Any photos of the end result of that? A local staircase builder did suggest it but others said it would look bad and scratch. But if its sanded might be an idea.

villainteriors.. Any photos of that knotted ironwire design?


benniebonita..Thanks for the mockup but I think it would looked too closed in. We want something light and open. Especially as the front door is right next to the stairs and want a few of the living area through to the garden.

Dytecture.. Yes I quite like that design. Thanks

thegoddess317... would be interested to see photos of your malleable iron pipe stairs. But I imagine it may look a bit too industrial for us. I keep imagining it looking like a disabled access ramp to a library. haha

olldbobbi I'm sorry, no, I don't have any pictures of the sanded acrylic. But all they did was take a regular sander with a fine sandpaper and sand away. It was pretty cool.

villainteriors Sorry I don't have any pics either. It is basically an iron rod twisted randomly and ocasionally knotted so there is no order in its form. Another option would be a commercial mesh panel or perforated steel panel both will be contemporary and outside the square of the what I call 'normal' application box. I do get bored with the screeds of similar product. look at this link you will see a similar type of iron work if you scroll down http://www.artisticironwork.co.nz/interiorbalustrades.html

pr1970 Was this the kind of frosted acrylic look?

Showing it to the wife though she wants a more open feel to the stairs so you can see down from above. I think iron railings with wire cables or thin iron rods maybe the way to go.

pr1970 Thanks villainteriors, think the twisted effect is interesting but want something quite modern and contemporary. Will have a look through houzz photos some more for that idea.

Wondering whether if we go for painted metal rail to go for a black, silver effect or white?

olldbobbi Yes, it was exactly like the pic you referenced. If she wants a more open look without fingerprints the wire cable idea will work.

Kivi Feldman Architecture
Towards a New Architecture-Staircase

I think the cable railing may be a good idea from a budget point of view but I am not sure how practical it would be because of the tight curve of the stairs. It might turn into too many uprights to work out well.
Steel railing like these attached images may be less expensive options than the stainless idea, but again you may not like them if the concern is that your children will climb up the horizontals.

theorigaud false FAlse false ..

theorigaud curve reproduces the mold and the wood is bent
steaming or lamélé Colé * (* french)

villainteriors I think if you google iron mesh it might be what you are after.

thegoddess317 I just googled iron mesh and love it. I must use it on another project. (Totally unrelated to this stair project) But thanks for the intro to this cool product!

pr1970 Thanks for the replies, theyve been helpful but still struggling to get low cost ideas for these stair rails. Have looked into cables but although the cable isnt that expensive the tensors are very expensive,at least what i`ve been quoted locally.
Frosted acrylic is out of the question,my wife doesnt like the frosted look as we want to see the stairs.
Any other ideas??
The stairs will be tiled with something like these porcelain tiles.
http://www.dunkleytiles.co.uk/system/cache/cms_site_products_images_67-2-119_584_584_1.png

What about something like this which should be cheaper and perhaps get steel handrail?
http://www.contemporist.com/photos/pb_orcas_1108_07.jpg
http://www.contemporist.com/photos/pb_orcas_1108_08.jpg

Thanks

greenthumb2 My neighbor used copper pipe on his deck running vertically and it looks beautiful. Maybe doesn't sound cost effective but with wood or another metal it would be. You could use alternating pipe (think copper, aluminum, steel) just a thought. whatever you decide -- stairs are hazardous so do not scrimp on this item. Good railings, solid anchoring a must.

houssaon Have you read this? http://www.houzz.com/discussions/90764/I-love-the-stairs-who-did-the-plexiglass#comments
How about:

pr1970 Thanks. Plexiglass and stainless steel is out of the question, costs at least 3 times the price of iron,etc.
Also were not keen on walls as a barrier as it blocs the view too much.

greenthumb2 what about a sheetrock wall with lots of glass blocks in it? Sturdy, allows light to pass through, safe for stair goers.

greenthumb2 what about a sheetrock wall with lots of glass blocks in it? Sturdy, allows light to pass through, safe for stair goers.

Nick Dellos Creations it looks like you could put a round stone or concrete column at the turn, say 9" or so in diameter. This could be decorated with a porcelain tile to compliment your treads. Put a tiny turret on top if you like :) Or a steel tube to keep it contemporary. From this solid base, steel or wood handrail would become a much easier task, since they would both be simple straight lines to top and bottom. Fill with balusters and its a done deal.

Nick Dellos Creations Also if its to be inspected the handrail part I believe is required to be continuous, so check with your fabricator and inspector.

Woodcrafters Intl Inc Flat wood top railing with punched aluminum panels between. There are lots of decorative metal panels that can be cut to fit. provides a sense of openness, adds a bit of artistry and does not have to be a custom (expensive) option. Wood can be painted a gray or punched up with something more colorful. Fasteners can be exposed. Use SS bolts if you are doing that. Check Decometals for the panels.