If you’re a contractor or architect, you’ve probably been frustrated before about how much building space the numerous staircases required for multi-level dwellings take up. Buildings like apartments and condos often have lots of stairways, so these stairways are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, allowing only enough room to meet local codes. While codes leave plenty of walking space for residents to move up and down them easily, narrower staircases can often be a tight fit for moving things like furniture. 

Where a narrow staircase is necessary to save space, it’s important to find a stair railing that complements it while taking up the minimum amount of surface area on the step. Safety is of particular importance when it comes shorter width stairs, which is why a railing is absolutely necessary and will be outlined not only in the code requirements, but likely also in the project specifications. There are a lot of options for stair railings, but in my experience, the best railings for a narrow staircase provide a safe support while maximizing the surface area of the stair treads.

Railings That Make a Statement Without Taking Up Space

Less is definitely more when it comes to a railing on a narrow staircase. In addition to making it easier for residents to maneuver things like furniture, a minimized railing can allow for the most step surface area possible. This allows staircases to meet code requirements without putting residents in danger of accidents or developers in danger of litigation. Some good railing styles to consider for a narrow staircase are:

• Steel railings: Because of the strength of metal compared to other materials such as wood and composites, steel railing and post dimensions can be smaller and still provide the same durability. Therefore, metal railing systems often come with narrower balusters that take up less space on the stairway than materials like wood. Most importantly, posts can be narrower as well, which means smaller surface mounts are needed on the stair treads.
• Cable railings: These railings can be a little tricky to install (though this depends on the manufacturer), but once up, they work great for a narrow staircase. This is because they usually have steel posts for mounting, which can be side mounted for even more space. And the stainless steel cable balusters are thinner and stay out of the way better than most other baluster materials.
• Glass railings: Glass panels or balusters are a great way to make a narrow stair area safe without making residents feel trapped or hemmed in. Glass also gives the illusion of space because of its transparency, and is one of the best railings for a view. Paired with steel posts and top and bottom rails, a residential exterior glass railing system is just as reliable as railing made from other materials, and provides a sleek and modern-looking alternative to full steel railings.

Why Fascia Mounts Are Best for Narrow Staircases

When I was in college, we used to get cinder blocks to lift our beds off the ground so we would have more storage underneath. It worked great except for those times when you would come in late at night and stub your toe on one of those hard cinder blocks. While they made a great base for the bed, the cinder blocks were also a major obstruction of the pathway in that small dorm room. Railings can create the same problem for a narrow stair. They might provide all the support and strength you need, but if the post mounts are too wide they’ll take up valuable walking space.That’s why I think fascia mounts are your best bet when installing a railing on a narrow stairway. The reasons to consider a fascia mount system are:

• More room to walk: It’s a no-brainer that railing posts can take up a lot of space when they are surface mounted to a stair. If you’re looking to build your stairs to the minimum stair width requirement of 27”, you’re going to need to use a fascia mount system since the base mount of a post can really eat into that space. Fascia mounts use zero stair surface space and are easy to install as well.
• Tight space is difficult to work in: If the railing post mount makes even walking on narrow stairs harder, it will affect the contractor installing them and working on the stairs even more. Tight spaces often make for sloppy installations, which is why I not only prefer fascia mounts that give contractors the option to install from the outside of the step, but I also recommend adjustable, rackable stair panels because they minimize the installation process by eliminating measuring and making sure balusters and posts are plumb.

When you’re putting in lots of stairways in a condo or apartment it can feel like you’re fighting for every inch. But staircases that meet the bare minimum code requirements for width can be just as functional and stylish as wider stairways with the right railings. All it takes is a little consideration for the railing size, type, and mounting style.

Finding that perfect railing, the one that meets code requirements and suits the style of the building, requires some creativity and a little imagination. Of course, it helps to have some trusted products already in mind. I like to use Fortress Building Product’s steel railings for narrow staircases because of the easy fascia mounts and the style and color options. The railings and mounts are already code compliant, so I don’t have to worry about potential design changes or alterations. Their railings also use a special multi-layer coating system which draws on automotive anti-rust technology to protect their railings from corrosion. For apartment building or condominium designs I also rely on other Fortress products like fencing to put pools and gated communities. Just like their railings, Fortress’ metal fencing is highly durable and can withstand almost any kind of weather without showing signs of corrosion.