Material:
The material used on your stair railing kits should be durable and long lasting for safety and peace of mind when ascending or descending a staircase. Architect Hannes Peer suggests looking for iron or stainless steel components for your railing kits to get the best bang for your buck. These materials are readily available in the market, stylish for both indoor and outdoor use, and offer both high levels of durability and longevity. If you are looking for a rustic and decorative option, wrought iron is an excellent choice. If you would prefer something with a modern or elegant flair, stainless steel is a wonderful material to consider for your stair railing kits.
Construction:
High quality construction is very important when considering stair railings. Since these railings will be used for safety purposes to prevent falls, and will likely be used as minor weight bearing structures, the construction should be a top concern. Metalwork specialists says to keep in mind that the attachment hardware can come in various qualities and some may be much stronger and better for weight bearing construction than others. Steel hardware is some of the strongest and most durable, but other metals can be perfectly suitable for decorative railings as well.
Style:
If you are looking for a certain style and aesthetic for your exterior railings, it's not hard to find. Outdoor railings come in a wide range of different styles from traditional and classic, to eclectic and whimsical. For a more traditional style, landscaping designer Thomas Woltz says to look for powder coated steel or stainless steel railings. These can be simplistic or elaborate to help fit into your decor style. For a rustic or Victorian style, consider wrought iron with decorative scrollwork along the beams to give an eye-catching look to your entire room.
Color:
According to Rose Tarlow, the color of your exterior stair or balcony railings can have a dramatic effect on the overall decor in the room. Look for colors that blend in with your wall, floor, or ceiling colors to help frame the room in a unique way. You can also opt for bright powder coated metals in order to have your railings stand out and be much more bold and eye-catching. Powder coating is common with steel and some iron railings, and can be found in a wide range of colors to suit almost any aesthetic need.