Form and function are the foundation of any architectural project. But it&#;s the details that will bring your client&#;s dreams to reality. A beautifully designed railing system is like a piece of fine jewelry that will adorn the masterfully sculpted building structure.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Northglass sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
However necessary to the safety and structure of a building project &#; have the potential to make an aesthetic statement to all who enter any built environment. Yes" ,there are many building codes that must be followed when planning, designing and manufacturing a railing system, but here are a few considerations in selecting an ideal railing system for your project.
The type of occupancy should be the foremost consideration in the selection of a building&#;s railing system. Although there is really no set rule or a code restriction, in our years of experience, we have learned that there are certain types that work best for specific applications.
This is a widely accepted and popular selection in the design of open concept space. Glass railing systems are available in post-supported or structural glass. On exterior applications, glass is preferred to create an unobstructed view. Although glass is perceived as a fragile material, it becomes stronger when it is fully tempered and laminated. At VIVA Railings we have experienced that people tend to respect the &#;perceived&#; fragile nature of glass and do not abuse or tamper with glass as much as they might a metal system.
Metal panel railings should be considered when the goal is to incorporate the aesthetics of patterns available with woven wire mesh, perforated metal or a wide array of laser-cut patterns. Metal panel railings are also a great option when the client wants to avoid the maintenance of glass or the potential for people to climb the railing, as may be an issue with a cable or multiline system.
An ideal choice for landscape or deck applications as these systems require minimal maintenance. When using cable systems for school applications, consider a rigid toe rail to prevent kids from stepping on the bottom runs. VIVA Railing offers CUBE, CIRCA, TEE, and BEACON for cable and multiline.
We are often asked to provide budgets and to rate the economy of scale (cost advantages for more efficient production)","as should be a top consideration for every item on a project. Establishing a budget helps you to estimate the job upfront and prevent value engineering for key high visibility areas that are prone to get axed out. The VIVA Railings team is equipped to provide pre-design and pre-construction consultancy to assist during this phase of your project.
The following chart provides a general indication of the price point for railing systems. Note that there are many other factors that would impact pricing, such as quantity, layout, mounting detail, etc.
VIVA Railings has a patented SHOE structural glass system that results in a simple, fast, and clean installation. In addition to easy maintenance, our structural glass system requires approximately 50 percent less installation time than most similar systems on the market. Creative-minded architects are ecstatic with the endless options of our glass systems available on tempered laminated glass.
Cable, multiline, and VIVA Railings&#; new CableNet systems are great choices when trying to achieve an unobstructed view without the hassle of glass maintenance. These systems work well for industrial-type interiors, decks, ramps, bridges, and landscapeapplications.
$: Cable Railings, Multiline Railings & Aluminum Glass Railings
$$: Glass Railings, Wire Mesh Railings, Perforated Metal Railings, Laser cut Panel Railings
$$$: Structural Glass Railings, Fascia Mount, Heavy Glass (meet wind loads, etc.)
Other factors that impact cost include but are not limited to:
Although listed third, the appearance of the railing system can create a powerful first impression. So it is understandable that the first question most of our customers ask is, "Which is the coolest looking railing system that I can get for this project?&#;
Choosing the right look begins with the overall look and feel of the project. Most projects today have a modern design, and structural glass railings are the most popular (by far) railing system for a modern look. Why? Glass is an attractive material due to its ability to allow light through and create a feeling of open spaces.
VIVA Railings has a patented SHOE structural glass system that results in a simple, fast, and clean installation. In addition to easy maintenance, our structural glass system requires approximately 50 percent less installation time than most similar systems on the market. Creative-minded architects are ecstatic with the endless options of our glass systems available on tempered laminated glass.
Cable, multiline, and VIVA Railings&#; new CableNet systems are great choices when trying to achieve an unobstructed view without the hassle of glass maintenance. These systems work well for industrial-type interiors, decks, ramps, bridges, and landscape applications.
The above options lean toward a minimalistic design but if you want to create a statement &#; a true work of art &#; VIVA Railings offers laser-cut FOLDand STRUCmetal panel systems. Customers who select one of these systems are able to choose from a wide range of patterns or provide a custom design, such as a flowing design that repeats every few panels, creating an image or a logo.
Finally, thefinish of the railing system brings the entire look together. We recommend a stainless-steel satin finish for longevity and maintenance, especially for wearing components like the handrail. Our customers have the option to select powder coating from a standard range of available colors or a custom color of their choice.
Due to the demand for a blackened finish on stainless steel, VIVA Railings offers a special finish called ECM (an electron process that imparts color to stainless steel).
Architectural railing systems are generally a project-specific fabrication and not an &#;off the shelf&#; item. For this reason, consideration of lead times should be an important factor in the railing selection. Depending on the system, some are more dependent on field measurement than others.
Railing systems with faster lead times:
Best practices conducive to hold-to dimensions (independent of structure available for field measurements):
In addition to code requirements, there are various other factors that should be considered when selecting the right railings for your project. The VIVA Railings sales and pre-construction team is available to answer your questions. Contact us or call 972-353- Ext 10.
Interested in more educational content like this? Sign-up below
For many, the main focus of a new railing project is selecting the perfect style, color, and design elements. You want your new railing to look perfect in your home! But the reality is, you also need to make sure your railing is safe. This starts by talking to your local code official.
Why It Matters
Building codes are unique to each county in the United States &#; that&#;s why it&#;s so important for you to check your own region&#;s code requirements. You should find out what&#;s required for your area before you decide on final project details&#; trust us, it&#;ll save you a headache in the long run!
These code stipulations could completely change your railing design. Here are the 3 most important questions you need to ask your code official before starting your railing project:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of shoe railing system. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
1. What are the railing spacing requirements?
How large can the gaps be in your railing? This is especially important to consider if you are looking to install cable railing or another minimalist style of railing.The most common railing code enforces the 4&#; Sphere Rule, which prohibits gaps in railing large enough for a sphere 4&#; in diameter to fit through. This ensures that a child&#;s head will not fit between the railing.
If you are using balusters or glass panels in your railing, the 4&#; Sphere Rule should be simple to accommodate. Just ensure your gaps are less than 4&#; wide. However, accommodating the 4&#; Sphere Rule can be more tricky when using a material like cable, which is a bit flexible and can deflect slightly if pulled on.
For cable railing, we recommend that each cable be spaced 3 &#;&#; apart to ensure a 4&#; gap remains at all times, even with slight deflection of the cable. To help with this, we also recommend that posts be no more than 4&#; apart, which reduces the ability of the cable to deflect. If your posts must be spaced further than 4&#; apart, you may need an intermediate post to stop the cable from deflecting too much.
Contact your code official to find out if your county enforces the 4&#; Sphere Rule, and if you need to be aware of any other spacing requirements unique to your region.
2. How tall should my handrail be?
Handrail must be tall enough to adequately protect your family and guests. In most locations, building code calls for stair handrail to be between 34&#; - 38&#; high. The most common handrail height on a stairway is 36&#; tall. Handrail height for balconies varies based on location, but is commonly in the 39&#; - 42&#; range.
Make sure you confirm the required measurement for your area to stay compliant, then ensure that any posts or newels you are purchasing are tall enough to support at least the minimum required handrail height.
3. Do I need grab rail?
Occasionally, local building code may require the use of grab rail. This is an additional handrail mounted lower on the posts, intended to provide an easier grasp for those going up and down stairs. If your project includes stairs, it&#;s important to check if grab rail is required in your area.
If you find out that your system will require grab rail, make sure that the posts and other components you are purchasing are compatible with grab rail. Often, metal posts and glass railing systems have options available that allow grab rail to mount directly to the metal post or pane of glass.
Tips for Contacting your Code Official
We have found that most areas have adopted the International Residential Code, which is the most recent iteration. However, some localities use an older code or some other set of guidelines. That&#;s why it&#;s important to check to ensure you are accommodating your area&#;s unique rules.
The easiest way to find out the residential building code for your area is to contact your local building department. A quick web search should lead you to contact information for your building department. They will be able to answer your questions and provide the information you need.
At StairSupplies, we can help you with nearly any style of railing that you&#;d want for your home. We offer a variety of traditional wood railings and iron balusters, as well as more modern options such as cable and glass railing. Visit our Design Center to get started.
For more information, please visit one way mirror.