Handrail Information

All handrails of the same profile are not created equal

Handrail is manufactured by laminating a number of layers of flat boards that will slightly exceed the width and height of the handrail profile to be manufactured. This minimal over-sizing ensures that there is enough stock for machining a clean profile along all 4 sides of the handrail.

Below is a thorough explanation of the 3 handrail grades.

Clear (C) – Best

  • Lengths are available up to 16 feet.
  • Lengths up to and including 12 feet are solid top ply.
  • Lengths 14 feet and longer may contain one finger joint in the top ply.
  • All lengths may contain one finger joint in the lower plies.

Solid Cap (SC) – Better (This is an engineered handrail with “butt-joint” sides… no finger joints)

  • Lengths are available up to 16 feet.
  • Lengths up to and including 10 feet are solid top ply.
  • Lengths 12 feet and longer may contain one finger joint in the top ply.
  • Lengths 12 feet and longer may contain up to 3 butt joints in lower plies.
  • Lengths 14 feet and longer may contain up to 4 butt joints in lower plies.
  • Lengths 16 feet and longer may contain up to 5 butt joints in lower plies.
  • Lengths 10 feet and shorter may contain 1 or 2 butt joints in lower plies.

Finger Joint (FJ) – Economical

  • Lengths are available up to 16 feet.
  • Top ply, will contain multiple finger joints that are 42 inches apart, but could start as close as 1 inch from end.
  • All lower plies may contain multiple finger joints that are at least 12 inches apart.