Stairs have been part of human history since the beginning with our collective safety-conscious following shortly, illustrated when the oldest known handrail was uncovered by French archaeologist Pierre St. Jamaine in an Assyrian ruin in Nippur, Iraq.

A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand to provide stability or support, tying together the railing and the stairs of the staircase with an artistic and decorative function. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent fall injuries.

At family-owned Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc., we’ve been designing, manufacturing, and installing handrails in North Vancouver for more than 70 years with affordable, high-quality service to all our customers. We offer free quotes, fast responses, and friendly customer service as well as sound information to ensure efficient and excellent results. To ensure your satisfaction, here are some items to consider when choosing handrails for the interior or exterior of your home.

Handrails are typically supported by posts or mounted directly to walls at a height of not more than 90 cm from the floor. A handrail is an important structural component of any staircase - either blend in with a subtle design or it can stand out as an accent detail. Shape and color should complement your décor.

While wooden handrails are the most common type of stairs equipment, modern interiors often feature metal and glass handrails – wrought iron, steel, or aluminum combined with glass or wood-look stunningly beautiful and add a unique feature to the interior design.

Modern handrails tend to have an industrial-style influence but it can also feature a classical design. It’s clean and modern appearance can contribute to an overall cohesive look using:

Glass: Whether you opt for a frameless piece or one with sleek handrails, glass provides a style that is safe, strong, and stunning.
Aluminum: Provide a clean and modern look, are durable, and weather resistant. Years from now your railings will still look new.
Steel: Add luxury and elegance to your home and our designers work with you to craft a piece that fits the style of your home.
Stainless Steel: A low maintenance handrails that last for decades making it perfect for any deck or balcony.

At Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc., we can also provide an artistic touch to your décor with a sculpted handrail. We manufacture interior and exterior railings with wrought iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and glass to be attractive, sturdy, and affordable. If you are looking to invest in custom railings in North Vancouver, contact Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc today.

Adding a fence is a simple, affordable way to increase the look and value of your North Vancouver home. Fences are important for prospective homebuyers both for privacy and for being able to let children and pets play out in the yard.

Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. provides custom fences and custom glass railing in North Vancouver, and we've seen the difference that installing the right fence on your property can make. Before getting a fence installed, however, you should ask yourself a few questions first.

What to Consider Before Installing a Fence

In order to get the most value out of your new fence, you should think carefully about what purpose it's meant to serve, where to place it, and how you want it to look.

Backyards are often fenced in because it increases privacy, clearly marks property lines, and allows you to let your small children and pets out to run around without having to worry about them getting out onto the street. If you are fencing your backyard, then choosing a solid, sturdy material is preferred in order to provide maximum privacy and security.

Adding fencing to a front yard, however, will typically reduce curb appeal and may even violate certain building regulations. Even a small, white-picket-fence may seem like a good idea at first until you realize that makes the task of mowing the lawn a lot more difficult.

Finally, when building a fence on any part of your property, you want to think about how well your chosen fencing style and material complements the overall look of your home. A quality iron fence, for example, will look much better than a chain-link fence.

Add Even More Value with Custom Railing

On top of installing custom fencing, adding interior and exterior custom railing to your North Vancouver home can also increase its value.

The right type of exterior railing around decks, patios, and balconies can complement any fencing choices, making for a more cohesive exterior home design and better curb appeal. Completing the package with new interior handrails is an affordable way to align your home with your architectural tastes.

Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. provides custom aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and glass railing in North Vancouver. For both interior and exterior railing, these materials provide strength and durability, and can be customized to meet any design preferences. Glass railing in North Vancouver is a particularly popular option for its sleek, elegant look.

Quality Fencing and Glass Railing in North Vancouver

If you're thinking of adding a fence and some custom railing to your North Vancouver home, then you can trust the fencing experts at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. to do it right. We offer quality fences and custom railing, including glass railing, in North Vancouver that can enhance the look and function of any property.

Get a free quote and find out how working with us can improve the value of your home by getting in touch with Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. today.

Most of us have an inner vision of the perfect home. For some, the picture may be incomplete without the addition of a white picket fence as a neat finish around the property's perimeter. Of course, imagination is one thing; reality is another.

Naturally, there's nothing wrong with a picket fence; however, it pays to ask if there are fence options that might be better for your home.

To find out, it helps to explore the main purposes for fences, which basically revolve around property safety, privacy, and curb appeal.

Property Safety
If you live in a comfortable neighborhood with a relatively low crime rate, perhaps security isn't a big issue for you. If, however, you're keenly aware of protecting your home and family members, the right fence matters.

This doesn't mean you have to erect a tall chain-link fence with security barbed-wire on the top edge – that would send the wrong message. But a picket fence probably isn't the best security option.

Here are a few options for you if your primary concern is security:

Part brick/part wrought iron

You don't have to create a fortress around your home to have a secure fence. Stone or brick fences create a sense of safety while offering a stately charm to your yard.

Security grilles

Protect your property while having an open view. Today's grille fences come in a variety of styles and colors to match your home's architecture and style – all while remaining strong and secure.

Driveway or pedestrian gates

Think beyond the fence and secure your entryway as well with the use of a driveway or pedestrian gate. Today's fencing options make it simple to create a uniform look and stay protected at the same time.

Privacy
Many of the same factors described above offer a sense of privacy to your home. Let's face it – your home is your oasis from the busy world around you. If you live in a particularly populous area or are near high traffic zones, the last thing you want is to share your personal space with everyone around you.

Many of the same fence options that protect your property also create a sense of privacy. But you don't always need a high brick wall to feel that you're away from curious eyes.

Beyond your fence style, consider the following:

Height of the fence

It's not always the construction of the fence that creates privacy; height matters too. A tall fence can look stately and attractive but create a feeling of comfort and isolation from the world. A tall fence will also keep out unwanted animals that may otherwise jump into your yard or garden.

The spacing of the posts

Post and railing style goes a long way towards helping you create a personal oasis. If your posts are placed at close intervals, they create a sense of solidity without overwhelming your space.

Judicious planting

Never underestimate the value of a well-placed plant, flowering vine, or grove of trees. Talk with a landscaper who can help you maximize your privacy with well-designed green zones, hedges, or other focal points. A great landscape plan means you can feel a world away from the world no matter what kind of fence you install.Curb Appeal
Most people want their fence to match their personality and home's architecture, not compete for attention. The right fence offers a subtle yet powerful stylistic element that makes passersby take notice for the right reasons. In contrast, the wrong fence simply looks out of place.

If you want to increase your home's value and curb appeal, take note of these 3 final tips before you choose your fence :

1. Pay attention to your architecture and current landscaping plan.
There's no point putting a picket fence or charming wrought-iron fence around an ultra-contemporary home. Something always looks wrong. By the same token, you wouldn't place a curved fence with Rococo detailing around a Zen garden.

2. Match details.
If you have a fence around your pool or other contained area within your yard, you may not want to deviate too far from its style (unless you're also replacing it). Too many unmatched details compete for visual attention, minimizing the overall appeal.

3. Get the best fence for your money.
Even if a budget fence saves you money upfront, it will show its wear sooner. Plan your budget so you buy quality fencing materials from the start, or save funds until you can get what you really want later. Your whole home will benefit from the right fence , so it pays to be choosy.

There are many fences just waiting to be matched with your yard; from English Garden style to a deer fence . Whether your aim is to protect your property or just to create a charming atmosphere, your home is sending a message. Take the time to listen, and you may be able to move beyond the picket fence for good!

For more fencing solutions, be sure to check out our product page or contact us should you have any questions about which type of fence is right for you!