Type A vs Type B Steel Handrails (20 ft)

Decorative pipes & handrails By Antoh Decor Enterprises 3 min read

Key points

Type A is a wider, rounded-top profile; Type B is a shaped, narrower profile.
Both come plain (smooth) or decorated (embossed) and in 20 ft lengths, which means fewer joints.
Choose Type A for comfort on long staircases and Type B for a slimmer look on balconies.
Antoh Decor stocks both profiles for wholesale and retail.

The handrail is the part of a railing people touch every day, so it needs to be comfortable, strong and smooth. Our steel handrails come in two profiles, Type A and Type B, each in a plain or decorated finish, and all in 20 ft lengths.

Type A vs Type B

	Type A	Type B
Profile	Wider, rounded top	Shaped, narrower
Feel	Full, comfortable grip	Slim and neat
Best for	Long staircases, public buildings, ramps	Balconies, verandas, modern railings
Finishes	Plain or decorated	Plain or decorated

Plain or decorated?

Plain handrails are smooth and suit modern railings, CNC panels and stainless steel. Decorated (embossed) handrails have a pressed pattern that matches classic railings with decorative pipes, chillums and castings.

Why 20 ft lengths matter

Every joint in a handrail must be welded, ground and finished, and joints are where rust and rough spots appear. A 20 ft (about 6 m) length lets you run most straight flights and balconies in one piece.

Fitting tips

Fix the handrail at a comfortable, consistent height along the stair; follow your architect’s drawings or local building requirements.
At turns, cut and weld at the correct angle, or use our bending service for a smooth curve.
Grind every weld flush. A hand sliding along the rail will find any sharp spot.
Finish with paint or powder coating; the handrail wears fastest, so a tough finish pays off.

How many lengths do I need?

One 20 ft length is about 6.1 m. To estimate:

Measure each straight run along the slope of the stair (not the floor plan) and along each balcony side.
Add about 10 – 15 cm per joint and per turn for cutting and welding.
Divide by 6.1 m and round up. Plan cuts so that each run uses as few joints as possible.

Example: a straight flight of 4.5 m plus a landing rail of 3 m. Use one length for the flight (4.5 m) and a second for the landing (3 m), rather than joining short pieces.

Maintenance

The handrail takes more wear than any other part of a railing. Check it once a year for chips and worn spots, and touch them up before rust starts. Outdoor handrails last longest when powder coated.

Common mistakes

Joining short offcuts on a visible run to save material; the joints show and wear first.
Mixing Type A and Type B on the same staircase.
Leaving handrail ends open and sharp. Close them with an end cap or a neat return to the post.

Get a price on the plain and decorated handrails page.