Welding & Fabrication Experts
Consult, Design & Install
At MLR Engineering, our in-house engineers specialise in fabrications and welding. Backed up by more than 25 years of industry experience, we offer our services for residential and commercial clients across Dapto, Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong.
We can design custom handrails to suit your property. Through an in-depth consultation, we’ll make sure our design caters to all your specific requirements and budget. Choose from either aluminium, stainless steel or powder coated handrails to suit your residential, commercial or industrial property. Whether it’s for your staircase or ramp, you can count on MLR Engineering to exceed your expectations.
Call us today to discuss your requirements!
Do I Need A Handrail?
The Building Code of Australia advises that a handrail is required if there is the possibility of falling over one metre or more from a floor or building. So, whether it’s for your staircase, ramp, deck or any other area of your property, you can count on MLR Engineering to design the ideal handrail that can easily blend in with your interior or exterior.
Apart from handrails, balustrades and pool fences, our experienced engineers can also manufacture custom gates in Dapto. Contact us today to arrange a site visit and quote!
Custom Handrails Made To Measure
Here at MLR Engineering, we can create unique handrails to match the style of your home or business. Through an in-depth discussion, we'll ensure that our design meets all of your precise specifications while remaining within your budget.
A variety of railing materials are available to suit your needs, including aluminium, alloy steel and powder-coated, and we're proud to serve residential, corporate and industrial customers. You can rely on MLR Engineering to meet or exceed your goals, whether you're looking for a stairway or ramp.
Handrail Materials
The handrails of a staircase are important safety elements because they help to reduce falls and injuries from occurring. Handrails can be constructed from a variety of materials, including metal, wood and glass.
The overall finish of the staircase will also be influenced by the sort of railing and handrails that you choose. Read on to learn about the various handrail materials we have on offer.
Aluminium
When it comes to metallic elements, aluminium has a variety of advantages that make it an excellent choice for railing applications. The key benefits of aluminium are that it's lightweight, robust, tough, corrosion-resistant and completely recyclable. Aluminium is also environmentally-friendly.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is not only one of the easiest materials to maintain, but it's also one of the most visually spectacular materials available. The railing can be kept looking glossy by simply wiping it down with a clean cloth on a regular basis. If dust or filth starts to build up, a moist cloth can be used to give it a thorough clean.
Powder Coated
Powder coatings outperform painted coatings in terms of both strength and flexibility, so powder-coated rails will not crack or peel in the same way as paint would. A surface that begins to degrade in this manner makes the handrail more susceptible to additional deterioration due to the entry of moisture, which results in corrosion of the metal.
Ballustrades
On a staircase, a balustrade is made up of balusters (spindles), base rails and newels. It's usually located underneath the handrail, and its primary function is to provide safety by preventing people from falling over the edge of the staircase. Metal, wood, and glass are just a few of the materials that are increasingly being utilised to make balustrades. We're pleased to say that here at MLR Engineering, we provide a wide range of balustrades that can match your handrail designs.
FAQ's
In Australian regulations, a handrail should be no less than 865mm tall from the stair tread nosing to the floor of the ramp surface. However, it is recommended to go for a height between 900mm and 1100mm. Any platform more than 4m from the ground has additional requirements for its balustrade.
According to Australian regulations, a handrail is required for all staircases, platforms and landings that are 1m+ from the ground. This amounts to 4 risers and 3 treads of a compliant staircase, so the bottom few steps may not necessarily need a handrail.
The word ‘banister’ is simply another term for balustrade, the collective term for the system of spindles, newel post, base rail and hand rail enclosing the open side of a staircase.
This is the upright post at the top and/or bottom of the balustrade, supporting the handrail and securing the system in place. They provide essential structure and strength for the balustrade, and also offer an opportunity for decoration.
The handrail must run the entire length of the stairs, which can be measured using a tape measure. To accurately carry out the measurements for a new balustrade, it is best to have a professional do the work using specialist equipment.
Staircases are required to have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide. If the staircase is wider than 1m, it may need to have a handrail on both sides.
There isn’t any law dictating which side of a staircase should have a handrail. If the staircase is against a wall, it makes sense to have a balustrade on the open side, but you could have a handrail running up the wall as well/instead. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
It is not legally required to have a handrail for a small staircase that is less than 1m tall. If the 3 steps exceed that 1m minimum then a handrail is required.
Yes, you should count the landing as one of the steps on a staircase.
This is the flat, horizontal part of a step that you place your foot on as you ascend or descend the stairs.
This is a handrail that fits directly onto a wall, sometimes using a bracket. There are many different styles to choose from and they can be bought with different decorative items to improve the aesthetic.
The graspability of a handrail refers to how easy it is to get a secure grip on it. Different handrails have differing levels of graspability, so you should consider your preferences as you select a handrail to install.
Get In Touch
At MLR Engineering, we take great pleasure in our high-quality services, which include designing, producing and installing custom-made handrails to our customers' specifications. As a close-knit family-owned and managed company, we strive to provide only the highest quality goods to our residential and commercial customers. So, make sure to contact our expert and friendly team for more advice on handrails today.