Curved Porch Railing: the Ultimate in Exterior Architectural Millwork
Curved porch railing, rounded railing, radius rail. By whatever name, there’s no better accent for a your rounded porch, deck, or veranda.
Railings for rounded porches are made on a custom, made-to-order basis. This is because there is rarely two rounded porches or decks with the same radius (which is also part of the appeal: a one-of-a-kind porch!).
There are several ways to make curved railing. With rails made of synthetic materials, like our Polyurethane line, the mold is made to your specific radius and dimensions. For those looking for authentic wood rail, there are a few different options that range from great to terrible.
The most common is to take very wide boards and cut the curve out of the board. There are several problems to this method. First, because the length and radius is limited by the width of the board, the builder will need to splice several pieces together creating weak spots and unsightly joints. The second problem is that when a curve it cut from a straight-grained board, it exposes the end grain on what is now the side of the railing. End grain is more susceptible to moisture and is more difficult to mill to a smooth finish.
Another method is to steam bend the wood. This method is sometimes used in furniture making. Because of the size and mass of the railings this type of architecture requires, this method is unpractical.
We feel the very best method for this application is what we call the “bent lamination” method. First, we make a “form” or “template” according to your specific measurements and porch radius. Then the wood is cut into strips thin enough to bend around that radiused form. An exterior wood epoxy is applied to all the strips before they are bound to the form and allowed to cure. After milling with special equipment made for curved molding, the result is a rail that is very strong, has no joints, has no exposed end grain, and is identical in size and shape to the straight rail portions of your railings. While this method is a little more labor intensive, we think it will be worth it for our customers in the decades to come.
So how do you go about ordering curved porch railing? It’s easier than you think!
You only need two measurements: the width of the curve and the height. From these two numbers, we can determine the other figures mathematically (radius, arc length, angle subtended, etc.). Note: make sure you measure to the same point on the curve for both measurements. For example: if you measure the length to the OUTSIDE of the rail, make sure to also measure the height to the OUTSIDE of the rail.
Some customers feel more comfortable if they also send us a template with the curve drawn on it, made of construction paper, etc. This certainly doesn’t hurt, however unless it is a rigid template, there are room for errors on a paper template. We have made many rails by using the math only, and have never had a problem with this method.
What about curved stair railing?
Measuring for curved stair railing works the same way. We just need the rise/run of your stairs in addition to the width/height of the curve. See this illustration. If you’d like to download a PDF of this drawing to print and take to the project site, click How to Measure Curved STAIR Rail.
Curved stair rail is a little more involved for us to make because the rail not only curves, but also twists as it comes down the steps. This is why we need the rise over run as well. Note that we only do curved stair railing in our Polyurethane line of railing.
If your stair rail is elliptical, meaning it is not a constant radius, we can do that as well. Just email or call and we’ll talk it through.
So whether you prefer wood or synthetic, just take those measurements and give us a call. We’ll get you started with strikingly beautiful curved railing.
17 thoughts on “Curved Porch Railing: the Ultimate in Exterior Architectural Millwork”
how much do the curved rails run? I have four sections of 70in length by 23in height. interested in wood?
Thanks for the question. Curved rail is made to order, and is priced upon request specifically to your porch. The math on your porch is as follows:
Length: 70″
Height: 23″
Radius: 38 1/8″
Length of each Arc: 88 5/8″
Angle subtended by each arc: 133 degrees
We would make your four sections of rail each at 8′ of length (96″), which allows a little length for the installer to “tie-in” to your posts, newels, or columns.
We’ll send a formal estimate to your email address following this post. Please don’t hesitate to email or call with questions, adjustments, or to place your order. Thanks!
Entry way to house, 7steps, bottom step 7′ long top step 4′ long 7.5 rise 11″ run 50″ to top of porch deck total run 76″ from house need newal posts @ ballasters also
Each step has 3″ overhang
I would like a price for a deck I built The deck I built was done using a swing arm and router so it an exact 92 1/4″ Radius to the center of the post it is a perfect half circle and will require 4 equal sections as for the post they will be 4×4 doug fir with 5 1/2″ mitered sleeves slipped over
Thanks for the question Wade. Yes, we can help with your curved railing project. Based on your information, your railing is as follows:
92 1/2″ Center Radius, 180 degree arc, made in 4 equal sections of the following:
Length of each arc: 72 7/16″
Width of each arc: 70 5/8″
Height of each arc: 7″
Angle subtended by each arc: 45 degrees
Your estimate has been sent to your email address. Thanks again for the opportunity to help with your project.
I would like a price on a curved wood porch railing. The run is 228 inches and the height is 83inches. There are 6 posts. thanks
Thanks for the request for estimate Mike. The math on your curved railing breaks down as follows:
Width of arc: 228″
Height of arc: 83″
Radius: 119 3/4″
Length of arc: 301 1/2″
Angle subtended by arc: 144 degrees
Make in 7 equal sections, 4′ arc length each
***Custom to specify if the above measurements are to the INSIDE, CENTER, or OUTSIDE of the rail***
We’ll send a detailed estimate to your email following this message. Please don’t hesitate to email or call with questions, adjustments, or to place your order.
I would like a estimate of top and bottom rails for curved section of porch. I have recovered the 100 yr spindles and will want to re-use them.
The porch dimensions
Height = 12 1/4 inch top rail and 13 3/8 inch bottom rail
Width = 63 3/4 inch
Currently there are 15 spindles at 25 inches high and 14 1/2 inch turned length, approx 5 inch on center. The porch is an at grade victorian so it does not meet the 30 inch high for code rails of spindles.
It appears the top/bottom rail were made custom – one offs. Do you think the dimensions should be the same and the rail may have flexed enough to explain the difference?
I set up plumb lines and tacked nails in the center of the rails for these measurements.
Thanks for the inquiry Mark. While we’re not familiar with the specifics of your existing rail, it is possible the arc has changed slightly over the years. We would recommend that you correct them to one consistent arc during your remodel.
We offer curved railing in our standard railing profiles only, as can be seen HERE. Assuming the average height of your top and bottom rails (12 13/16″), the math on your curved rail is as follows:
Width of arc: 63 3/4″
Height of arc: 12 13/16″
Radius: 46 1/16″
Length of arc: 70 7/16″
Above measurements are to the CENTER of the rail
Make one section of rail at 6′ arc length
You’ll receive an estimate following this message for our most popular system, the 6″ class 4-piece Porch Rail System. Let us know if you’d like that changed to something different.
Please give me an estimate of the curved rail. The wide on the outside is 72 inches, and the height on the outside is 30 inches. I am using 3 1/2″ Wood Spindle x 26 inches. Thank you
No problem Tony. Let us know what rail system you like, such as the 6″ class 4-piece Porch Rail System, and we’ll send you a detailed estimate via email. Thanks.
looking for pricing
781-443-5375
estimate for curved rail, Width is 28ft, height 11ft, with 6 columns
Thanks for the inquiry. Do the 6 columns include a column on each end? In that case you’ll have five sections of curved rail. Let us know which rail you’d like and we’ll send you a quote:
Cedar Rail Options
Synthetic Rail Options
Can I email you a picture with dimensions which would provide a very good depiction of look hat I want to achieve?
Of course. Send it to [email protected]