A graspable ADA-compliant secondary handrail is an important component to consider when planning a deck with stairs. So, whether you’re constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck, or deck made from other decking material, you’re typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck’s stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.

Key Residential Stair Handrail Requirements (IRC - International Residential Code):

• Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30" in height (whichever is less) must have at least one grab rail.
• Handrails with a circular cross-section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1¼" and not greater than 2". If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4" and not greater than 6¼" with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2¼".
• The grab rail must terminate at the newel post (top and bottom posts).
• Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be a minimum of 1½".
• The height of the handrails must be installed 34"–38" from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread. Graspable secondary handrails are increasingly required by building/deck codes across the country.
• This attractive and highly versatile ADA-compliant handrail is ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum, the system includes five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in Textured Black, Textured White, and Weathered Brown to complement a home’s exterior.

As always, check your local building code or ask your building inspector to make sure a secondary handrail is installed when required by law.

Deckorators Composite Railing, manufactured by UFP Ventures II, Inc., has been evaluated by an independent third-party evaluation report writer known as Intertek to be code-compliant under Intertek’s CCRR-0171 and CCRR-0335 Evaluation Reports. See reports for complete details.

Yes, our secondary handrail is ADA-compliant. This attractive and highly versatile secondary handrail is ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum and durable PVC, the system includes five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in Textured Black, Textured White, and Bronze to complement a home’s exterior. As always, check your local building code or ask your building inspector to make sure a secondary handrail is installed when required by law.

No. While Deckorators railing offers superior surface integrity and strength, it is not suitable for structural applications.