I'm trying to help my elderly parents who have a set of exterior stairs leading down to their backyard. The stairs are made of concrete from the 80s, and they've never had a railing before. I'm considering installing one for their safety, but I'm unsure whether to attach the handrail to the concrete wall or to the stairs themselves. There are a total of 14 steps. Any advice on how to go about this?
2 Answers
I’d recommend attaching the handrail to the wall if it's sturdy enough; that will provide more stability. Just ensure that the rail’s height and grip are suitable for your parents. Alternatively, if you can reinforce the stairs, that might also work well. It really depends on your concrete condition. Just be careful while drilling!
It sounds like a great idea to install a handrail for your parents! To get started, you might want to buy a railing that suits your aesthetic and meets local safety codes. You can drill holes into the concrete and use concrete anchors to secure the rail—this will give you a strong and stable installation. Make sure the height of the rail is comfortable for them to hold onto. Good luck!