Safety Improved

Xringer · 10-06-12, 06:26 PM

My wife has wanted porch rails every since we got the new porch a few years ago (maybe 5 or 6 years?).

Home Depot had the DIY stuff (that looks almost professionally installed), but it was way over-priced.
She wanted a safer porch (with rails) and wasn't very concerned about price.
Now that we're getting really old and brittle, (and more ice is on the way) it was past time to get it done.
So, I ordered the EZ HandRail stuff and saved a few bucks paying for labor.

Here's the pictures, in reverse order.

Rail pictures by Xringer - Photobucket

Daox · 10-07-12, 07:49 AM

Looks really nice IMO. How sturdy is that stuff?

Xringer · 10-07-12, 08:48 AM

It feels very solid. The railing sections are as good as I've seen on the balconies at large hotels.
You can read the dimensions (thickness etc) here. http://www.hdezhandrail.com/documents/Engineering.pdf

The only thing that I didn't like was the smallish size of the self-tapping screws used
to secure the brackets to posts. I would have preferred beefier hardware at those points.
But, I have no doubt these will hold up to normal use for many years after I'm long gone..
Which is a lot more than I can say about the wrought iron rails that most folks around here have installed.
Those are actually steel in many cases and not only rust out at the bases,
but the whole rail will bend over if someone heavy falls on it.
Those need to be well attached to the house. Not just a 3" lag bolt.

Exalta-STA · 10-07-12, 10:56 AM

Looks good!

Xringer · 10-07-12, 11:51 AM

I like the looks too. But, my wife wants me to cut the top off the middle posts! Says they are too tall..

Having a little hand rail is nice to keep you from falling, but if you do fall, most folks can't hang on to a handrail, while descending stairs.
Due to the angle of force applied to your hand, first, your pinky gives up, then your ring finger.
The railing is ripped out of your hand, starting with the weakest finger.

BUT, if you start to fall, and grab a big strong vertical post, your grip will be much better.
And, you should have a better chance of stopping your fall.. (IMHO)..

10-06-12, 06:26 PM	#1
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Safety Improved My wife has wanted porch rails every since we got the new porch a few years ago (maybe 5 or 6 years?). Home Depot had the DIY stuff (that looks almost professionally installed), but it was way over-priced. She wanted a safer porch (with rails) and wasn't very concerned about price. Now that we're getting really old and brittle, (and more ice is on the way) it was past time to get it done. So, I ordered the EZ HandRail stuff and saved a few bucks paying for labor. Here's the pictures, in reverse order. Rail pictures by Xringer - Photobucket __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-07-12, 07:49 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Looks really nice IMO. How sturdy is that stuff? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-07-12, 08:48 AM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	It feels very solid. The railing sections are as good as I've seen on the balconies at large hotels. You can read the dimensions (thickness etc) here. http://www.hdezhandrail.com/documents/Engineering.pdf The only thing that I didn't like was the smallish size of the self-tapping screws used to secure the brackets to posts. I would have preferred beefier hardware at those points. But, I have no doubt these will hold up to normal use for many years after I'm long gone.. Which is a lot more than I can say about the wrought iron rails that most folks around here have installed. Those are actually steel in many cases and not only rust out at the bases, but the whole rail will bend over if someone heavy falls on it. Those need to be well attached to the house. Not just a 3" lag bolt. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-07-12, 11:51 AM	#5
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I like the looks too. But, my wife wants me to cut the top off the middle posts! Says they are too tall.. Having a little hand rail is nice to keep you from falling, but if you do fall, most folks can't hang on to a handrail, while descending stairs. Due to the angle of force applied to your hand, first, your pinky gives up, then your ring finger. The railing is ripped out of your hand, starting with the weakest finger. BUT, if you start to fall, and grab a big strong vertical post, your grip will be much better. And, you should have a better chance of stopping your fall.. (IMHO).. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-07-12, 10:56 AM	#4
Exalta-STA Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Philippines Posts: 107 Thanks: 12 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Looks good!