Rail Guides Archives - Wall and Corner Guard Blog

Our Best Wall Guards with Handrails

Wall guards with handrails serve a dual purpose for the facilities that employ them. In addition to providing wall protection, these unique products also provide a railing for pedestrians to grip as needed to prevent slips and falls. Moreover, wall guards with handrails offer aesthetic appeal through a unique design that is both functional and eye-catching. Our collection of wall guards with handrails features models made of industrial-strength combinations of wood, rigid vinyl, and aluminum to ensure lasting quality without compromising visual appeal. Below, join our editors for a showcase of our 5 top selling wall guards with handrails. Visit the links below for additional product specifications, images, color/finish options, and ordering information.

5 Top Selling Wall Guards with Handrails

Mojave Handrail

Built for both residential and commercial applications, our Mojave Handrails come 12 feet long and feature a tall rigid vinyl bumper with fine wood finish. Popular among nursing homes, office buildings, retirement communities, and more. Visit the following page to shop Mojave Handrails.

Presidential Handrail

Simple and understated, our Presidential Handrails feature an exterior face that measures 5-1/2” tall for exceptional coverage and strength in the face of unexpected impact. An underlying aluminum retainer reinforces this commercial grade product, while a vinyl exterior is available in 60 eye-catching colors that are sure to look great with nearly any interior design. Visit the following page to shop Presidential Handrails.

Sequoia Wood Handrail

Warm and inviting, our Sequoia Handrails feature an all-wood construction available in various finishes, including Oak, Maple, Beech, or Ash. Sequoia Handrails also feature a vinyl bumper insert that extends along the entire length of the handrail for added shock absorption and wall protection. Choose from 4 vinyl insert colors, including black, ivory, tan, and desert sand. Visit the following page to shop Sequoia Wood Handrails.

Teton Wood Handrail

A dark wood texture makes our Teton Wood Handrails the perfect choice for upscale locations where design is rooted in deep Earthy tones. This beautiful all-wood handrail comes mounted on a heavy-gauge aluminum retainer (the heaviest we offer) for added stability and shock absorption. The Teton features a finger rail for easy gripping, an accent that adds an unmistakable visual flair to the design of this handrail. Visit the following page to shop Teton Wood Handrails.

How May We Assist You?

The product specialists at WallAndCornerGuard.com represent the industry’s most experienced team of professionals. We are pleased to offer product consultation, order assistance, and more upon request.

Contact customer services by calling 1-800-342-0424 or visit our Contact Us page online.

Wood vs. Vinyl Handrails: Which is Better?

Wood and vinyl are the two most popular handrail materials available. While wood provides a warmer and more traditional aesthetic, it’s hard to deny the value delivered by vinyl’s natural resiliency and customizability. If you are shopping for handrails, comparing wood vs. vinyl models is going to be unavoidable. Using the guide below, review some of the pros and cons associated with each option. Then, make an informed purchase decision that will deliver maximum benefit to your facility at a reasonable cost for products.

Comparing Wood vs. Vinyl Handrails

Below are just a few factors to consider when shopping for wooden and vinyl handrails for your commercial facility. They include cost, use/application, durability, and installation requirements. As noted above, both wood and vinyl handrails are excellent options. Evaluating these criteria will help to narrow your selection to the type of product that will deliver the best performance and the best price for your facility.

Cost

Expect fluctuations in price as wood and vinyl handrails are available in a variety of sizes, styles, colors, stains, and with warranties that ultimately affect cost of production. In general, many purchasers find that wooden handrails have a lower starting price. However, that price quickly increases when stains, protective finishes, and other elements are added to the handrail. Compared to wood handrails, vinyl models may start at a higher price point but tend to fluctuate less. Moreover, vinyl handrails are typically available with better warranties since the material is known for such exceptional resiliency.

Use

First and foremost, it is vital to consider where the handrail will be used. Specifically, decide whether it will be used indoors, outdoors, or in a partially covered area that is mildly exposed to the elements. Indoors, both wood and vinyl handrails are easy to install, grip, and maintain. Outdoor installations, on the other hand, provide a challenge since they are ultimately affected by weather. For this reason, vinyl handrails make the best outdoor installations since they require little upkeep and are capable of withstanding cold temperatures, rain, and light snow. However, some facilities prefer to use wooden handrails for the unique aesthetics they provide. When using wood, bear in mind that regular treatments will be needed to protect the wood from weather-related damage.

A note on impact: Generally speaking, vinyl is more forgiving than wood. For this reason, vinyl handrails are recommended for use in areas where impact is expected. This includes impact from both wheeled carts/ machinery, as well as guests and personnel. Using vinyl handrails in these areas is the best way to ensure wall protection, minimal handrail damage, and limited injury.

Durability

Without a doubt, wooden handrails are less durable than vinyl alternatives. While it’s true that regular maintenance and weather-proofing treatments can extend the life of wooden handrails, these products are also at-risk for damage from natural rot and pests, like termites. By contrast, vinyl is not susceptible to decomposition, rot, or termite damage.

Installation

In terms of installation, neither wood nor vinyl has a clear advantage. Both types of handrails are generally easy to install with simple tools. Regardless of the material you choose, be sure to inquire about mounting hardware like brackets, left/right returns, end caps, etc. Most retailers will provide these essentials, however it’s important to clarify exactly what is and is not included at the quoted price.

How May We Assist You?

Contact customer services by calling 1-800-342-0424 or visit our Contact Us page online.

7 Essential Protective Products for Hospitals

There are more than 5,500 hospitals in the United States that play home to roughly 51.4 million procedures annually, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control. These heavily trafficked facilities are among the most important in the nation, helping men, women, and families to recover and return to their lives.

Of course, fewer public facilities adhere to more strict health and safety codes than hospitals. This guide has been created to assist those tasked with improving health and safety for hospitals. The products below are 7 of the most essential guards, railings, and protective products designed specifically for use in hospitals and other medical treatment centers.

Corner Guards, Wall Guards, & Other Hospital Essentials

Corner Guards

Every hospital has long corridors where 90 degree turns create corners that are exposed to potential damage. Gurneys, wheelchairs, and supply dollies are just a few of the most common things that may damage hospital corners. Risk of damage only escalates when doctors and staff are treating a patient with severe injuries or illness. To learn more about corner guards for hospitals, visit our commercial corner guards online store.

Handrails

Like corner guards, handrails are often used by hospitals to help prevent damage from ruining interior walls. Handrails serve another vital function, helping hospital patients and guests to walk along hallways. Handrails are particularly important for medical facilities that may specialize in treating individuals with disabilities as well as elderly patients. Shop the best handrails for hospitals by visiting our commercial handrail online store.

Column Guards

Column guards are a unique product, similar to corner guards. These special protective products are designed for use along parking garage columns where they absorb and displace extreme impact from vehicles. Whether from a visitor’s car or hospital ambulance, column guards are the #1 way to prevent serious damage and costly repairs. Visit the following link to learn more about our Celestial® Column Guard (installs vertically to protect parking garage columns).

Shoeshone® Bed Locator

Shoeshone® Bed Locators perform a number of vital functions for hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and other centers where patient care extends overnight. Each bed locator consists of two brackets, two molded vinyl end guides, and one standard Aztec® Wall Bumper. Together, this system prevents beds from damaging walls while also maintaining well-defined bed lines and aisles. Learn more about our Shoeshone® Bed Locator.

Wichita® Crash Rail

Wichita® crash rails are an excellent choice for hospitals and medical care facilities. These heavy-duty wall guards are manufactured with stainless steel, making them a valuable addition to any facility where sterile environments must be maintained. Learn more about our Wichita® crash rail.

Bollard Covers

Parking bollards are cylindrical concrete markers that serve a variety of important functions in parking lots and garages. No matter what the function being performed, one thing is certain: Parking bollards must be visible. Shop our collection of Bollard Covers® to envelope your bollards with a vibrant colored casing that significantly improves visibility while also softening impact.

Kickplates for Doors

Hospital doorways are often entered and exited quickly. In many cases, the bottom of a gurney or wheeled cart is the first thing to touch the door. Protect hospital doors with kicklates, and proactively prevent damage from accruing over time. Doors are expensive to replace, making kickplates a cost-effective solution. Visit the following link to shop our collection of door guards and kickplates online.

Need Assistance? Contact Us

Contact customer services by calling 1-800-342-0424 or visit our Contact Us page online.

What Are Crash Rails?

What are crash rails, exactly? If you are new to construction and facilities management, you might encounter confusion when trying to dissect the difference between crash rails, wall guards, and handrails. In truth, these product categories are very similar to one another. However, subtle differences between size, materials, and application ultimately define one from another.

3 Things to Consider When Buying Crash Rails

As the name implies, crash rails are thick protectors that extend horizontally along a wall to prevent carts, light machinery and personnel from causing damage during daily operations and maintenance. Crash rails extend outward and away from the wall, creating a buffer that stops incoming objects before the have a chance to hit and damage the surface of the wall. Crash rails are available in a few different materials, depending on a few of the following variables:

Location: Where is the crash rail located? If located in a manufacturing facility or garage, a heavy-duty steel rail is likely the best option. If used along a lightly trafficked hallway or corridor, however, a softer material like vinyl may suffice.

Protection: What is the crash rail protecting against? If the hallway is trafficked mostly by facility personnel or guests, a softer crash rail is ideal (also available with handrails for use as walking aid). If the corridor is used primarily to transport heavy loads of materials, a steel crash rail is a better option.

Aesthetics: To what degree does the crash rail have to match interior design? In some cases, crash rails may be available in up to 60 unique colors, providing enormous flexibility to color coordinate. Other crash rails, like our Wichita® Crash Rail, are available in stainless steel only.

Now, let’s explore 3 additional categories of wall protection that related to crash rails.

Wall Guards

Wall guards is a broader term used to describe a variety of different guards, railings, and bumpers that can be used to protect walls from damaging impact. In fact, a crash guard is a type of wall guard. To browse a full selection, readers are invited to visit our wall guard online store.

Handrails

It is not uncommon for handrails to be referred to as wall guards, because many handrails are built to withstand impact and protect walls. However, it’s important to note that handrails serve a very specific purpose: To assist with walking, both along flat corridors as well as up and down stairs. Handrails are most commonly available in vinyl or wood.

Hybrid Crash Rails with Handrails

For environments where both walking assistance and wall protection are high priorities, special hybrid crash rails with handrails are available to improve both safety and wall protection. Three of our most popular crash rails with handrails include:

Crash Rail Consultation

Looking for crash rails for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.