Stair Railings in Durham Region

What height does a stair handrail need to be in Ontario?

The Ontario Building Code sets a required height range for handrails, measured vertically from the front edge (nosing) of the tread. It's a specific range, not a single number, and we build to it on every job — see our building code guide for the current figures rather than an estimate here.

How far apart can spindles or balusters be spaced?

The code limits the gap between spindles so a small child can't fit through — the maximum spacing is specified in the Ontario Building Code's guard requirements. Solid glass panels have no baluster openings to measure, but the complete guard system still must satisfy applicable OBC requirements — that's one reason some homeowners choose glass, alongside the more open view.

Can you replace just the handrail without touching the spindles?

Yes, if the existing spindles and guard already meet code and you only want to update the handrail material or finish, we can replace just the handrail. We'll check the existing spindle spacing and post connections during the site visit to confirm this is actually code-compliant before treating it as a handrail-only job.

What's the difference between iron and glass railings?

Iron (wrought iron or powder-coated metal) spindles give a traditional look and are typically less expensive to install than glass. Solid glass panel railings give an open, modern sightline and have no baluster openings to measure, but the complete guard system still must satisfy applicable OBC requirements, and glass requires different structural attachment points and more careful installation. We'll walk through both during the design consultation.

Do railings need a permit?

Replacing a railing like-for-like in the same location generally doesn't require a permit, but changing the guard height, moving the railing's location, or altering the staircase structure it attaches to can. We'll flag it directly if your specific project crosses that line, but your local building department has final authority on the determination.

Can newel posts be refinished instead of replaced?

If the existing newel post is structurally sound and you like its shape, it can often be sanded and refinished to match a new stain colour or paired with new spindles, which costs less effort than full replacement. We'll assess this during the design consultation alongside the rest of the railing plan.

If a newel post is out of level, does the whole railing need replacing?

Not necessarily — a single out-of-level newel post can often be reset and re-anchored on its own, since the handrail and spindles attach independently to each post. The whole railing only needs to come out if the underlying floor framing it's anchored into is the actual problem, which we check for before recommending anything more than resetting the one post.