Custom Ironwork · Houston, TX
Custom Iron Handrails, Fabricated at Your Home
Every handrail measured, designed, and built on-site at your property. Interior staircases. Exterior steps. Iron balusters. 25+ years serving Houston and surrounding communities.
Why Art Fences of Houston
Built Where You Live. Fitted to the Inch.
Most iron handrails are prefabricated in a shop and then forced to fit at installation. We do things differently. Our craftsmen come to your home or business, take precise measurements of your staircase, design the handrail to match your style, and fabricate it right there on your property.
The result is a handrail that fits perfectly, looks exactly the way you envisioned it, and is built to the same structural standards as our gates and fences. With 25+ years of on-site fabrication experience, Art Fences of Houston is the team Houston homeowners and contractors trust for custom iron handrails and iron balusters.
Design Options
Handrail Styles We Fabricate
Whether you want something classic and ornate or clean and contemporary, we can build it. Here are the most popular design styles our clients choose for their iron handrails and iron balusters.
Scroll
Flowing C- and S-curves that add elegance to any staircase. The most requested style for traditional and transitional Houston homes.
Basket
Interwoven iron bars form a basket pattern on each baluster. A classic choice that adds visual depth and a hand-forged feel.
Twist
Single or double-twist balusters bring subtle movement to an otherwise straight rail. Pairs well with both modern and traditional aesthetics.
Plain / Straight
Clean, unadorned balusters with a flat top rail. The go-to for contemporary interiors, commercial properties, and minimalist design preferences.
Hammered
Each piece is hand-struck for a textured, artisan finish. No two balusters look identical, giving your staircase a truly one-of-a-kind look.
Application
Interior and Exterior Handrails
Interior Handrails
Living room staircases, split-level entries, second-floor balconies, and loft railings are some of the most common interior projects we handle. We match the iron to your home's existing decor, whether that means a sleek modern finish or a heavily scrolled traditional design. We can also incorporate wood accents into the top rail for a mixed-material look.
Exterior Handrails
Front porch steps, back patio entries, garage stairs, and side walkways all benefit from a properly fitted exterior iron handrail. Houston's heat, humidity, and seasonal rains mean your exterior metalwork has to be built right. We use weather-resistant coatings and finishes specifically chosen for the Gulf Coast climate so your handrail stays strong and looks sharp for decades.
Safety First
Code Compliance and Safety Standards
A custom iron handrail is not just a design feature -- it is a safety component. We build every handrail to meet current residential and commercial building codes, which is something you do not always get with prefabricated, off-the-shelf products.
Key code considerations we address on every project:
- Baluster spacing: the standard 4-inch rule means no gap between balusters may allow a 4-inch sphere to pass through. This prevents young children from getting stuck or slipping between rails. Our balusters are always spaced to meet this requirement.
- Handrail height: residential handrails are typically required to be between 34 and 38 inches above the stair nosing. We confirm the correct height for your specific application before fabrication begins.
- Graspability: building codes require a handrail that can be gripped continuously from top to bottom. We design our top rails to meet graspability standards while still looking great.
- Load resistance: code-compliant guardrails must withstand a minimum concentrated load. Iron fabricated and welded on-site exceeds these requirements far more reliably than prefabricated hardware-store alternatives.
If you are replacing an existing handrail for a permit-required renovation, we are happy to discuss the specific requirements for your project. Our team has 25+ years of experience navigating Houston-area code compliance.
Customization
Finish Options
The right finish protects your handrail from rust and wear while completing the look. Here are the finish options we offer.
Flat Black
The most popular choice. A matte oil-based primer and flat black topcoat give that authentic forged-iron look.
Satin Black
A low-sheen satin finish that reads more refined indoors. Great for modern interiors and transitional homes.
Gloss Black
High-shine finish for a dramatic, polished appearance. Makes ornate scroll work pop against light-colored walls.
Powder Coat
Available in a wide range of colors. The most durable exterior finish -- electrostatically applied and baked on for a chip-resistant coat.
Rust Patina
A controlled oxidized finish sealed to stay in place. Perfect for clients who want a raw, industrial, or rustic aesthetic.
How It Works
Our On-Site Fabrication Process
From your first call to the finished installation, here is exactly what to expect when you work with Art Fences of Houston.
01
Measure
We come to your property and take precise measurements of every rise, run, angle, and mounting point. No guesswork, no approximations.
02
Design
We walk you through style and finish options and confirm the final design together before any metal is cut. You see what you are getting before we build it.
03
Build
Our fabricators cut, forge, and weld your handrail on location. Building on-site means every angle and offset is corrected in real time -- no shop adjustments needed.
04
Install
Once the metalwork is complete and the finish is applied, we mount and secure the handrail. We test every anchor point and clean up before we leave.
What to Expect
Typical Project Timeline
Most custom iron handrail projects follow a straightforward timeline. Here is what most clients experience from first contact to completed installation:
- Day 1-2: You call or submit a quote request. We schedule a free on-site estimate at a time that works for you.
- Day 2-4: We visit your property, take measurements, and review design and finish options with you. You receive a written quote before we leave.
- Day 5-10: Once you approve the quote, we schedule your fabrication and installation visit. Most residential handrail projects are completed in a single day on-site.
- Installation Day: Our crew arrives with all materials, fabricates your handrail on location, installs it, finishes it, and tests every mount point before packing up.
Larger or more complex projects -- long runs, multi-level staircases, commercial installations -- may require an additional day. We will tell you exactly what to expect when we provide your quote.
Where We Work
Serving Houston and Surrounding Communities
Art Fences of Houston serves homeowners, contractors, builders, and businesses across the Greater Houston metropolitan area. If you are within our service area, we come to you -- every project is fabricated on-site at your property.
Houston · Katy · Sugar Land · The Woodlands · Pasadena · Pearland · Humble · and surrounding communities
Not sure if we serve your neighborhood? Give us a call and we will let you know right away. We have been working across the Houston area for 25+ years and we know these communities well.
Ready to Get Started? Let's Talk.
Free estimates. No pressure. We come to your property, take measurements, and give you a written quote before any work begins. Call us today or submit a quote request online.