Sometimes winter can seem like it’s out to get you. When I was a child, my mother fractured her wrist two separate times in the same winter after slipping on the icy sidewalk. When I think back on this, it feels like a miracle that she also hadn’t slipped on our porch stairs, which were usually covered in snow and ice. But I think the reason she escaped additional injury was because we had sturdy hand railings on those stairs.

Slips and falls on stairs are a significant cause of accidental injury and death in this country. Pile some ice and snow on top, and there’s an even higher likelihood of taking a tumble. That’s why you’ll want to make sure that your stair railing is secure, durable, and compatible with your home’s cold climate.

The Problems That Winter Brings

Winter can bring all sorts of home maintenance headaches: ice, moisture, and salt can all be pretty destructive, including doing damage to the railings on your outdoor stairways.

The salt we use for deicing roadways and sidewalks can cause accelerated corrosion and rust in metal railings, and water from melted snow and ice can get into your stair’s hardware and corrode the components. With wooden stair railing materials, water can seep into small existing cracks and then freeze and expand. The expanding ice then forces open small crevices to create larger cracks, which can grow over the course of the winter. This is often an issue in states like Wisconsin, where drastic temperature swings can bring 50°F degree weather down to freezing in just a few days.

Winter can also bring other, less critical problems, like making certain types of railings unpleasant to grab onto. If you’re avoiding holding on to your stair railings during the winter because they’re so cold, those railings aren’t able to do their job of keeping you safe on the stairs.

Where Do You Need to Install a Stair Railing?

While not all stairs are required to have railings (a set of stairs with fewer than 4 risers is not required by code to have a handrail), in climates with severe winters, it’s wise to install railings on all outdoor stairs.

This is especially true if you’re older or have elderly relatives living with you, since falls and slips have the potential to be much more dangerous to seniors. In fact, many stair-related injuries are associated with stairs having just one or two steps.

Choosing a Material for Your Cold Climate-Friendly Railing

When it comes to choosing a material for your stair railing that will look attractive and stay strong no matter what winter brings, there are a few good options, though each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some railing and baluster materials offer conveniences in terms of longevity and maintenance while others may exhibit a one-of-a-kind look.

• High-quality metal stair railings have the advantage of being extremely long-lasting and durable no matter how hard the winter. Aluminum components are convenient because they won't rust or corrode easily. Some manufacturers are making iron railings using a special coating that will protect the metal even after it comes in contact with deicing salts. This corrosion-inhibiting finish uses the same process the automotive industry uses to protect vehicle undercarriages from road salt. The main downside to metal stair railings is that they tend to get very cold to the touch.
• While vinyl tends to be durable and does not react with salt, it is affected by the temperature outside, and has the potential to shrink with the cold and expand with the heat. As the temperatures get colder, vinyl also becomes more brittle and less flexible. While this doesn’t make vinyl components “fragile” necessarily, it does slightly increase the chances of damage under impact.
• Wood is an all-time classic because of its low price point and versatility when it comes to style. It also has the benefit of not getting too cold during the winter—you won’t shy away from grabbing onto a wooden railing when it’s -7‎°F outside. But it has one major drawback: it decays. Ignoring maintenance will almost guarantee that it will need to be replaced at some point in your life. Harsh winters can speed this process up since ice and snowmelt tend to soak into the wood during the winter. This can also cause the wood to warp if it is not sealed.

Don’t forget about freezing water, either. When water gets into crevices and then freezes, it will expand, forcefully separating the material it’s in. If this process can break apart boulders, then your wooden railing posts aren't going to stand a chance. Wood can last many years even in a cold climate, but it requires regular sealing, maintenance, and inspection.

• Glass is an excellent material as almost nothing reacts with it. It won’t rot, rust, or slowly wear away, and glass balusters will block some of the wind, snow, and rain from coming onto your stairs. While it is possible to break glass railings, the glass used in railings is tempered, and therefore stronger than regular glass. Don’t worry though, if one panel is damaged, it is possible to replace. If you want the option of replacing glass railing balusters easily should they ever be damaged, purchase a railing that uses a drop-in installation system that makes it easy to replace balusters without dismantling your entire railing.
• Typically made of stainless steel, vertical cable stair railings will last a very long time. They do not react easily with salt and are not likely to rust, especially when made with a high-quality, marine-grade stainless steel. One drawback to cable stair railings is that they create a very open balustrade and will not block wind or snow at all. This may be a consideration for those living in a very cold climate.

While glass and stainless-steel cable are low maintenance and long-lasting, you must take into consideration the handrail and post materials for these systems, too. Be sure to pick a material with properties that are consistent with the reason you chose glass or cable in the first place, whether it be low maintenance or resistance to decay.

Finding High-Quality, Safe Stair Railings

Installing a quality railing system that suits your home and your needs can do a lot to make winter less frustrating and less dangerous. Take a look at our gallery of highly safe and durable stair railing products at Fortress Building Products. Does anything else around the house need some work after this winter? At Fortress®, we have fencing, decking and fastener options for all of your next projects.