Custom Railings & Handrails
Commission a custom stair railing, handrail or guardrail from independent metalworkers, blacksmiths and woodworkers across the US. Makers here build modern steel, cable and forged iron railings and wood handrails for staircases, landings, porches, decks and balconies, indoors and out.
Featured
Custom Cable Railing System
by Colin McIntyre
Contemporary Wrought Iron Interior Railing With Frosted Glass
by Paul Lombardo
Featured Makers
Browse all makers
Darin Wicks
Hellgate Forge
Missoula, MTworking with iron, copper, steel, bronze, and stainless steel, among others to create unique lightin...
Bob Compton
Rising Sun Forge
Conway, MARising Sun Forge is a custom ironwork studio focusing primarily on the architectural market. Since 19...
Barbara Foster
Aesthetic Metals, Inc.
Rockford, ILWe are a metal design and fabrication division of Sub Source, Inc. located in Rockford, IL. We make ...
Sam Henderson
Awesome Iron And Steel
Kennesaw, GADecorative ironwork and forging. Fabrication of wrought iron estate gates or ornate railings as well ...
About Railings & Handrails
Railings here run from modern horizontal-slat steel guardrails, knee-wall stair railings and cable railing systems to forged iron work with scrolls, vines and leaves, branches or Art Nouveau lines. In wood, there are lamb's-tongue handrails, Craftsman railing systems and reclaimed stair railings. Bronze and driftwood handrails round out the range.
What sets the price
A listing's price is usually a starting point. Half of the listings here are priced between about $1,400 and $11,300, with a median near $3,300. The length of each run, the material, the amount of forged or decorative work, the finish and the number of turns, landings and posts set the price of a commission.
Before you request a quote
- The length of each run and the railing height you need.
- For stairs, the number of steps and the slope of the stair or knee wall.
- What the railing mounts to (a wall, stair treads, a knee wall, a deck or concrete), with photos of those surfaces.
- Indoor or outdoor use, and the finish you want, such as a powder-coat color, patina or natural wood.
- Your local code requirements, your delivery ZIP code and whether you need installation.
Stair handrails and guards are covered by building codes. Your local code and inspector decide what a railing must meet, so share those requirements before makers quote. For the stairs themselves, see Staircases; for gates and fence panels, see Gates & Fencing.
Describe the railing with the materials, size, budget and date you have in mind, and makers who do this work send proposals. You pay a 50% deposit on the one you approve, see the finished railing by photos, video call or studio visit, and pay the balance once you approve it; Maker Marketplace holds that payment while it ships.
Frequently asked questions
Stair handrails and guards on landings, decks and balconies are covered by the building code your city or county has adopted. For homes, most US jurisdictions base their rules on the International Residential Code, and some amend it locally, so your local code and inspector decide the height, baluster spacing and strength a railing must meet. Share those requirements with the maker before they quote, and ask them to confirm the design meets them.
Measure the length of each run along the stair or landing, the height you want the rail to stand, and the number of steps. For a knee wall, note its slope or angle. Photograph the surfaces the railing will mount to, such as a wall, treads, a knee wall or a deck, and include your delivery ZIP code. Makers use these details to price the railing and plan how it mounts.
It comes down to look, setting and upkeep. Powder-coated steel suits modern horizontal-slat and knee-wall designs and comes in a range of colors and textures. Forged iron allows scrolls, leaves and branch shapes. Cable railings keep views open on decks and balconies. Wood handrails suit traditional and Craftsman interiors. For an outdoor railing, ask the maker which finish they recommend for your climate.
Ask each maker. The price you approve on Maker Marketplace covers materials, labor and shipping, and installation depends on the maker and where you live. Some railings ship ready for a local contractor to install, with mounting hardware and instructions. Before you approve a proposal, settle who installs the railing and what hardware is included.
