Railings, Handrails and Gates by the Numbers: Heights, Spacing and Prices

Railings, handrails and gates are made to measure, so the figures behind a quote are worth understanding before you compare prices. These are the numbers that matter most, and the simple charts that make them easy to follow.

Railings: height, spacing and price per metre

Railings are priced by the metre, and a bespoke run of garden wall railings typically starts from around £180 per metre, supplied and fitted. Three figures explain most of the difference between quotes:

• Height: a low wall-top railing for a front garden is a very different job from a full-height boundary railing
• Bar spacing: around 100mm centre to centre is standard for vertical bar railings, keeping the gaps small enough that a child cannot squeeze through
• Finish: primer and paint, powder coating or galvanising, with galvanised steel lasting longest outdoors

Specialists in bespoke metal railings in Nottingham will measure each section on site, as few garden walls are perfectly straight or level.

Handrails: the heights set by Building Regulations

Handrails and guarding are covered by Part K of the Building Regulations, which sets out the key figures:

• Stair handrails: between 900mm and 1,000mm above the pitch line of the stairs
• Guarding in a house: at least 900mm on stairs, landings and internal floor edges
• External balconies and commercial landings: at least 1,100mm
• Commercial stairs: handrails on both sides wherever practicable

Made-to-measure metal handrails for homes typically start from around £150 per metre, with stainless steel and aluminium usually TIG welded for neat, discreet joints.

Gates: widths and opening space

A standard pair of hinged driveway gates covers an opening of around 3 to 4 metres. The swing of each leaf needs clear space on the drive, and a slope can stop a gate opening fully unless rising hinges are used. Where there is not enough room, a single sliding gate is the usual answer.

Many homeowners order a matching wrought iron gate with their railings, so the spear tops, finials and bar spacing line up along the whole frontage.

Three charts worth keeping

• Bar chart: price per metre for each railing style, from plain vertical bars to decorative designs
• Column chart: the required heights for each handrail and guarding location against what is being quoted
• Pie chart: how a gate quote splits between fabrication, finish, fittings and installation

With the key figures written down, quotes become much easier to compare like for like. For more on charting fabrication and manufacturing work, see our manufacturing category.