A few stairways that lead to your attic would have a guardrail or safety rail to prevent people from falling off the stairs. Attic handrail would provide homeowners with some peace of mind, in just a few simple steps.
To begin with, you must ensure that the handrail is about 42 inches in height. This is believed to be the minimum height requirement for all guard rails, according to the uniform building code. The entire building industry follows the same standard code for remodelling as well as new construction projects.
These 42 inches are to be measured from the floor, right up to the top of the handrail. Older homes might have handrails which are 30 or 36 inches in height. A 30 inch handrail would provide protection for all those individuals who are 5 feet tall and above.
All those homes that were built before the 1960s won’t have a handrail in the attics. If you were to do the project yourself, it would be easier to use wood. You might not have the right tools to build a stairway with other materials. It would be suggestive to build an access door to your attic as well.
On the other hand, you can install a doorknob with a lock, so that you can secure the attic from small children or other strangers. Typically, this stairway should consist of a few steps only and hence you can easily complete the project yourself.
Start with building the base and then move upwards, until you reach the attic door. For the most part, you will be able to get the required items from any home improvement store. Get the right nails and bolts in order to fix the stairs. Maintain some width on the stairs so that you can easily stand on them with both feet. Work around the specifications based on the available space.