What is the difference between a handrail and a guardrail?
Julius Blum & Co., Inc. has always stocked a wide range of handrail mouldings to suit many needs and conditions, but not all Blum handrails are suitable for all applications. Accessibility standards and code authorities often have dimensional limitations on handrail size which eliminate larger handrail mouldings from consideration. Confirm whether size limitations apply to your installation before specifying. Most building codes differentiate between handrail and guardrail. Handrails are generally defined as being used for guidance and support while the purpose of guardrails is to resist accidental falls. Handrail heights are commonly between 34″ and 38″, while guardrails are 42″ in height. There is often a requirement that a guardrail have a handrail included as well. The detail to the right shows a glass railing used as a guardrail. The 3-1/2″ cap rail is at a height of 42″ – too high and too large for use as a handrail. A 1-1/2″ pipe handrail section is mounted at a proper handrail
