The Queensland verandah is more than just a great place for the family to relax or entertain your friends. Architecturally, they also offer a superb opportunity to enhance the lines of your house and add a traditional look that is uniquely Queensland.
Handrails are an integral aspect of your verandah, and your choice of colour scheme and feature panels allows you to add your own personal flourish.
Handrails consist of top rails, bottom rails, balustrades (the vertical strips that keep the kids from falling through) and feature panels (if you’re using them). Be mindful when using mid rails, as they can create a ladder effect which young children may endeavour to climb.
Don’t forget that handrails and balustrades must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). As a general rule it is recommended that handrail height should be one metre from the floor of the verandah. The bottom rail and balustrade spacing should not allow gaps of more than 125mm. Heights and spans for your handrails should be confirmed with your local council authority.
Finlayson’s recommend timbers for handrails are Durability Class 1 and 2 species, which include Iron Bark, Spotted Gum and Merbau. These are not seasoned, so expect minor surface checking as they dry. In time, these checks will close up, and after the first repaint will be virtually undetectable.
These species of timber have the added advantage of minimal shrinkage, and it’s best to use the same species for the posts. Finlayson’s offer verandah posts in Iron Bark, Spotted Gum and Merbau.
Within 48 hours of your handrail components being delivered you should prime them – including end sections, drilled holes and feature cutouts – with an oil-based primer. Two coats of primer are recommended for end sections and within cutouts as the end grain of timber will soak up more moisture. It is also best to store all components under cover and out of direct sunlight until you are ready to use them.
For maximum safety and support (and an authentic finish), rails should be connected to the posts with timber tenons. Nails alone will not do. This may sound daunting, but tenons purchased from Finlayson’s come with fixing instructions and templates to make things easier.
Finlayson’s handrails rails come with a groove to accommodate the balustrades – all you have to do is slot them in, space them correctly and fix them.
For more information on handrails and balustrades, the Timber Handrails and Balustrade Technical Data Sheet #3 is available for download from the Finlaysons website.
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