Hand Rail Installation
Hand rail installation in Marietta, Roswell, and greater Atlanta. Interior and exterior wood and metal handrails, code-compliant and securely anchored.
Project Photos
A securely installed handrail is more than a code requirement — it's a daily safety feature for everyone in the household. Catalino Quality Construction installs interior and exterior handrails throughout Marietta, Roswell, and the greater Atlanta area. Every handrail we install is anchored to framing (not just drywall), built to current Georgia building code, and finished cleanly so it looks like part of the home.
Interior Handrails
Most interior handrail requests fall into one of three categories: adding a missing rail to a basement, attic, or main stairway flagged by a home inspector; replacing a damaged or wobbly existing rail; or upgrading from a builder-grade rail to a stained hardwood profile. We use stud-finder confirmation plus drilled pilots to locate framing, install code-compliant brackets at proper spacing, and field-finish or pre-finish the rail to match your trim or stain color.
Exterior Handrails
Front-entry stairs, porch steps, and deck stair runs all require handrails when there are four or more risers. We build exterior handrails from pressure-treated lumber, cedar, composite, or metal with hardware rated for outdoor exposure (stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners). For decks, the railing and handrail system is typically integrated — see our wood stairs and railing page for full stair-system work.
Code Compliance
Handrails are one of the most-flagged items on home inspections, and the requirements are specific: graspable cross-section, height between 34 and 38 inches from the stair nosing, continuous over the run, and returns at both ends so clothing can't catch. We install to those requirements every time so the work passes inspection and provides real safety, not just decoration.
Licensed and Insured
Catalino Quality Construction is licensed through the State of Georgia and carries full liability and workers' compensation insurance. With nearly 15 years of carpentry experience, Robert Catalino brings precision to every handrail installation, large or small.
Need a handrail installed or replaced? Contact us for a free estimate. We serve Marietta, Roswell, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Acworth, and metro Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should a handrail be?
Under the International Residential Code (adopted with amendments across Georgia), handrails must be 34 to 38 inches measured vertically from the stair nosing. Graspable cross-section requirements also apply — typically a 1 1/4 to 2-inch round or equivalent shape. Required where there are four or more risers. We install to code in every jurisdiction we work in.
Can you add a handrail to a stairway that doesn't have one?
Yes — adding a missing handrail is one of the most common requests we get, often after a home inspection flags the stair. We locate framing or install proper blocking, mount brackets at code-correct spacing, and finish the wall to match. Most single-wall handrail jobs are completed in a half day to a full day.
Do you install metal or wrought iron handrails too?
Yes. We install wood handrails (oak, poplar, painted), metal handrails (wrought iron, steel, brushed aluminum), and combinations like a wood top rail with iron balusters. For custom welded metal handrails we coordinate with local fabricators.
Do exterior handrails need different materials?
Exterior handrails on porches, decks, and entry stairs need to be built to weather Georgia's heat and humidity. Pressure-treated lumber, cedar, composite, or powder-coated metal with stainless or hot-dipped galvanized hardware are the durable choices. Untreated interior-grade wood will not hold up outside.