Handrail Terminology Explained

FIELD:  The field is the wrought iron design within the handrail area between the cap upper and lower rails.

HANDRAIL:  The wood or metal part of the handrail which is held onto while descending, climbing, or walking.  The standard sizes are usually from 1 /14" up to 2 1/4".

PICKETS:  The vertical design elements and supports that are placed within the handrail field to give the railing part of its design.

4" BALL RULE:  Most place now require the 4 inch ball rule rather than the old 6 inch ball rule.  This means that none of the spaces within the decorativ field can be large enough so that a 4" ball can pass through them.  This safety feature prevents children and small animals from becoming trapped within the design.

A LATERAL:  The curved section of the handrail and railing that turns to meet the newel post.

NEWEL POST:  This is the post at the bottom and / or top of the stairway to which the handrail and top rail are welded.

UPPER AND LOWER RAIL:  The horizontal or slanted "bars" or lengths of steel into which the decorative field is built.