Stair ropes, bannister rope, rope handrails and barrier ropes, made to measure in the UK by StairRopes.com

Questions & answers

Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions about ropes and knots for hand rails and staircases, fittings and information on installing bannister ropes, rope hand railings and barrier ropes.

How many brackets do I need for a banister rope?

One every metre is a good guide, although the right number will depend on how you want the rope to look and how important it is for the rope to give support. Also, where space is tight, for example on a spiral staircase, there could be a bracket every half metre.
Although both the brackets and the rope are very strong, the more brackets there are, the more secure the stair rope will feel.

Should I allow for a drop between the brackets?

If you measure straight between each bracket position, the weight of the rope will give a natural curve. If you want a deeper drop, use a piece of string to make sure you get the right look, but bear in mind that there will be more give in the stair rope when it is used for support. For more information on measuring for a stair rope or handrail or rope bannister, visit our MEASURE page.

Do the brackets have to be in fixed positions on the rope?

Brackets need to be set on a stair rope by their retaining screws (locking pins) - this prevents the rope from slipping and chafing in the bracket.

The end brackets will be fixed as determined by the length of the rope - so it is important to make sure of this measurement; however, the centre brackets may be left loose on the rope - for example if you are not sure exactly where these will go until the stair rope is in place. In this case, the retaining screws will be supplied separately to be fitted on site - the job is a little tricky but we can provide instructions.

Do I need to order extra rope for the stair rope knots?

No - the rope used to make the knot is included in the price of the knot.

What height should I set the stair rope?

One metre is a fairly standard height, but consider what is comfortable for you and how it will look on your staircase.

How do I measure for a stair rope which turns a corner?

See our section on CORNERS which explains in detail how to calculate the rope length needed for a corner. Alternatively, you can forward us details, a plan diagram or an image of your particular situation, and we can work out the measurement required.

I want to replace an existing stair rope, but the brackets look O.K.

You can send the brackets to be fitted on a new rope. Contact us first to discuss - e.g. to confirm the bracket diameter etc.

What is the delivery time on a stair rope?

At the time of writing (December 2011) there is a waiting list for stair ropes and bannister rope - especially for orders which include custom made wrought iron stair rope brackets. Before starting on your stair rope order, it would be a good idea to drop us a quick email or call to confirm details, check on stock situation and current lead times. We will estimate the delivery time, when you order, and email you when your parcel is despatched. If you have a specific deadline to meet, let us know and we will do our best!

What is the difference between a 2 ply and a 3 ply Manrope knot?

This denotes how many times the pattern of the knot is followed around. The 3 ply is a larger, more complex knot, taking longer to tie and tighten, but really no more secure than the 2 ply knot. The choice is yours - a 24mm rope 2 ply knot is about the size of a tennis ball, a 3 ply is equivalent to a small grapefruit! In the larger diameter rope, a 2 ply knot is comparable to a 3 ply knot in 24mm rope, the 3 ply knot is quite large! - see the KNOTS page for more information and pictures of the different knots.

In your professional opinion, can your rope rails substitute (strength wise) for a handrail? Or are they mostly decorative?

The short answer is yes - these ropes and brackets are intended as fully functional handrails, not just a decorative guide.

Here is the long answer: with a breaking strain quoted by the manufacturer for the 24mm hemp at 4 tons and brackets specified for the purpose, the only weak point in the installation is likely to be the wall itself. Some walls present problems in finding a position to secure a fixing, though this would also come up if one were installing a solid rail. Some of the base plates on the wrought iron brackets are wider which spreads the load better, although every bracket has a baseplate with four points of attachment.

Our wrought iron brackets are particularly strong because of the material and manufacture (mild steel, welded); we have come across inferior brass/chrome fittings which have come apart in the middle of their posts: the two parts of the post are held together by a screw which can work loose. The brackets we use were manufactured to our own design and are cast with a solid post.

Do building regulations affect the installation of a stair rope?

Building regulations do specify that a handrail should be between 1000 and 900 mm in height. The other aspects of the regulations affecting a stair rope installation will depend on the particular application, how securely the rope has been attached to the wall and also on the individual inspector. Our stair ropes are functional hand rails, properly made with knots or splices at each end and strong fittings secured to the rope by retaining screws (locking pins). One of our clients who is an architect wrote to say that their building inspector accepted the proposal of a stair rope after details of the end knots and retaining screws had been provided. For some positive feedback, you may be interested to read what one of our customers had to say on this issue - see our CUSTOMERS page.

Can you send samples?

We are happy to send short lengths of rope as samples for you to check the colour, texture, size and construction of the rope. We do not send samples of the wound ropes as these are not on coils and are individually made to length.

Contact Stairropes.com

For more advice or information about our bannister ropes and hand rails, and to order a stair rope, you can contact James Watson directly at Stair Ropes.com

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Image: Cotton stair rope with whipped eyesplice ends and wrought iron fittings.