Landscaper added these new steps. They look great imo. Went from 3-4 feet wide. They are working on flagstone walkway. They said the local codes don't require a railing. Living in northern Wisconsin, I'm concerned about not having one in winter. I asked about adding a handrail and he said railings are not his specialty but he can look into it. Can I mount posts directly into dry cast cement steps? Any ideas for a handrail that will blend in/look nice?
by just_cut_it_out
31 Comments
Why not put the railings into holes drilled into the earth next to the steps (where the stones are). You can put the railing into the steps by drilling and mounting but that will cause a crack in a step someday.
I know next to nothing about landscaping, but if I was visiting your house, I would appreciate a railing because I am clumsy AF :’)
P.S. Those steps look great!
You should be able to get a railing into that cement. Find a local metal shop. We just had our interior railing done in custom metal by a local shop. DM me if you want the name. We are in southern WI.
There are prefabbed handrails that can be screwed or anchored to the concrete. They do need to be done correctly with the right hardware to be safe. Some concrete contractors will do it or point you to someone who can. If your landscaper don’t know how or know anyone who does it. Call around and see who you can find. A black cast iron handrails would look really good there.
What about anchoring a long railing to a post in the dirt at the top right corner of the steps and end of the painted retaining wall?
A minimalist steel handrail would look nice! You’ll need to find a steel pro, but they’re around.
Based on what I am seeing, I personally would not for aesthetic reasons. But if you do decide to install one, I would place it on the right side of this photo anchored to the wall with a post to ground (not the steps) at the top. Simple DIY project…I would go with a wood and paint to match the house.
Yes, they can drill into the cement to install the railing.
I don’t know about Wisconsin but anything over 3 risers requires a railing and landing where I’m at but I have no idea if there’s a provision for yard steps.
Very nice. When older or winter are those tough to climb
Your railing would be most secure by mounting the rail on the steps.
Mounting is relatively easy, holes are drilled into the steps and the rail is bolted in place.
Take your Redditors offer for the referral.
No railing looks better
Did you double check them on the codes? I would be very surprised if exterior stairs with 7 risers wouldn’t need a railing. But maybe it’s 8 or more.
Curious if those have wire in them. They look good for concrete steps.
For children and the railing, please put in a railing.
Looks great
You will totally want a railing on those steps in Wisconsin.
Bear in mind, even if code doesn’t require a railing, your homeowners insurance might.
Local codes probably defer to National ones.
edit- looks like you already have an attachment point at the bottom, that cement wall. Also, put a chase or two under that flagstone walkway, in case you want to extend electrical, low voltage lighting or irrigation.
Go with railing. The more accessible your landscaping is for people, the higher premium you get when selling it
Those cast cement steps are usually hollow. I wouldn’t recommend trying to anchor anything to them they will most likely crack.
Honestly those things crack and chip on just installing them a lot. I hate those things.
I wouldn’t for asthetic reasons unless I had some in particular I was installing them for, like an early person who needs the help.
If was mine, I’d take an easier route. Current trend is using high tension cables on ledges and stairs. Appears you could attach a cable to the dark gray tier wall.
Attach top rail to the end of tier wall at 34-38” height. Add a post at the top of stairs on right. Then add the rail and cables to look like original intention. I cannot add a sketch, but this link should answer your question.
https://insosupply.com/collections/cable-railing
Im just a homeowner. If the steps have steel inside them (rebar for reinforcement) then I would give it a go.
I’d prefer a railing to the right tho. Mount it to the backside of that retaining wall.
Iv been a steel fabricator/ stair and rail installer for the last 16 years. Depending on rail material /design and weight you can definitely install a rail in cast steps . You could have someone core drill holes and have the rail pour rocked/ 2 part epoxied in (we usually do this 3”-4” from leading edge and 4”/6” deep hole to help keep the concrete edge from blowing out but you tend to loose egress width . The only problem with core drilling that deep is depending on how tall the tread is and if you drill through and don’t have a solid base under treads it can cause issues over time . You can also have rail with base plates (I recommend 4 mounting holes per base plate ) that you can either use Tap-cons or 3/8 Hilti screw ins .. and you can either side mount or top mount (top mount I would still recommend going 3”-4” to center of post ) also , sure you can go buy some cheap railing from Menards or where ever but I’d bet it wouldn’t last nearly as long nor look nearly as good . Non the less I’d definitely try to find someone that knows what there doing when it comes to installing rail . It doesn’t take much to screw it up.
Also i seen someone say drilling holes in the rock aside from the stairs (I’d prolly pour small concrete piers to mount to ), iv also done this and would also recommend it to be a possibility!
Only at a railing if you think you need one. Aesthetically it is a challenge and I would probably do something of wrought iron or steel and minimal if you must. But you know what you need, if it’s a principle entrance, if you have inclement weather slippery situations where you live, or people that visit or live there that need a rail. Only you would know
More than three steps requires a railing here in CT
We’ve done lots of these over the years. Too bad the installer did not install sleeves into the formed concrete. Now you’ll need to core drill and install 3 sleeves. Drop the handrail uprights into the sleeves and use a “deck-o-seal” type of product to secure it in place. That way when the rail needs to be replaced one day it’s not poured into the concrete. Concrete is also very corrosive on most metals.
Looks good the way it is.
Depending on local codes, you may be required to have handrails. Also, you should have them anyway for insurance reasons. Friend of mine is getting sued by Amazon worker claiming they fell on his steps.
Definitely get a railing if someone slips and falls you may be looking at a lawsuit