CR’s guard rail systems are engineered against the IRC and IBC guard load cases, and built to withstand load, wear and weather. Choose from 3 different design styles.
Rated 4.7 & Trusted by 1,000+ homeowners
starts at $97.97
starts at $97.97
starts at $97.97
Select Variant: View Detailed Dimensions →
Click on the button below to submit a custom quote request. Our team will design your railing system and share a personalized shopping list.
10-year warranty
Modular, scalable design
International Building Code (IBC) compliant*
365-day return policy
10-year warranty
Modular, scalable design
International Building Code (IBC) compliant*
365-day return policy
Adding product to your cart
Improving on our initial guard rails, this Guard Rail Kit comes with a middle post and, depending on the variant, top rails. It is designed and packaged for ease of chaining and modularity. Either option is tall enough to comply with building code standards. ×| Size (Variant) | Total run (in) | Total run (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 Steps (CRHR1) | 12” | 1' |
| 3 Steps (CRHR2) | 12.01” - 24” | 1.01’ - 2’ |
| 4 Steps (CRHR3) | 24.01” - 36” | 2.01’ - 3’ |
| 5 Steps (CRHR4) | 36.01” - 48” | 3.01’ - 4’ |
| 6 Steps (CRHR5) | 48.01” - 60” | 4.01’ - 5’ |
This chart outlines which variant of our Stair Handrail Kit you should purchase depending on the measurement of your stairs.
If your stairs are longer than 60 inches or 5 feet, you will need to combine two or more Handrail Kits to cover the entire run. Our Instant Quote feature can recommend you the exact products and parts you’ll need for your layout.
If you are connecting the Stair Handrail Kit to a Flat Rail Kit on a turn, purchase and use one size up for the top rail to reach the Flat Rail.
In addition to this, you also need to ensure that your stairs have enough clearance for our rails to fit.
For any type of staircase, you need to get the distance between the edge of the first step landing and the edge of the top landing. It is possible that you are able to measure the total distance in one go using your tape, however, you can measure each step individually for precision.
Below, we illustrate how you can do this for the most common types of stairs:
Step 1: Measure the run or tread depth of each step beginning with the first step landing until the last step landing
Step 2: Add each measurement to get the sum or distance of your stairs
In this example, each step has a run of 11 inches and we have 4 steps. The total distance is 44 inches or 3.67 feet.
For stairs with nosing, the tread depth is equal to the run of each step plus the nosing depth.
We will need to get the tread depth of the first landing, and then get the sum of the runs for all succeeding step landings.
Our instructions assume uniform measurements for each step.
Step 1: Measure the nosing of the first step landing
Step 2: Get the tread depth of the first step landing (include the nosing in the measurement)
Step 3: Measure the tread depth of the second step landing
Step 4: Subtract the nosing from Step 1 from the measurement you got in Step 3. This is the run for this step landing.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have the run for each succeeding step landing
Step 6: Add the tread depth of the first step landing (from Step 2) to the sum of the runs of the second step landing onwards (Step 4 and 5)
In this example, the first step is 12 inches deep and the succeeding steps are 11 inches deep. Together, the total distance is 45 inches or 3.75 feet.
Your top landing needs to have at least 8 inches of free space in order for the top rail to comfortably fit end-to-end without further adjustments.
If your top landing does not have enough clearance, the next section outlines some possible solutions for you.
Option 1
Size down to a shorter variant (e.g., the 4 Step Kit).
Look
Function
Time & Effort
Pros
Easy. No modifications
Cons
Doesn’t cover entire length of stairs
Post baseplate potentially too close to step’s edge
Option 2
Move the whole rail kit down one step to bottom landing
Look
Function
Time & Effort
Pros
Easy. No modifications
Cons
Lower post extrudes
Doesn’t cover entire length of stairs
Option 3
Position top rail further down instead of centered
Look
Function
Time & Effort
Pros
Top rail covers entire length until door
No cutting needed
Cons
Top rail extrudes at bottom
Requires self-drill holes
Option 4
Move upper post down and cut top & middle rail.
Look
Function
Time & Effort
Pros
Perfect fit
Cons
2 cuts necessary
Requires self-drill holes
Ready Within 30 Minutes.
Get a FREE Quote Now
| CR Kit | Custom Welded | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$588 for a standard deck | $1,400+ |
| Lead time | Ships in 1 to 2 days | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Code compliance | IBC and IRC compliant out of the box | Verify separately |
| What is included | All standard assembly fasteners; Pre-drilled holes on posts (Concrete wedge anchors & drill bits sold separately) | Rail only |
| Inspection | Designed to pass IRC R312 | Not guaranteed |
Building code requires 200 lbs of lateral force resistance. Every CR section is engineered against the 200 lb code load applied in any direction — and we publish the arithmetic so you can check it. Anchors are sized to the baseplate. Designed, tested, and warrantied by CR Fence & Rail, Henderson, NV.
| Test | CR Result | Code Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Post lateral load | see published calculation | 200 lbs |
| Section lateral load | see published calculation | 200 lbs |
| Deflection (calculated) | Within the AC273 limit | No failure |
Every kit ships with a baluster gap under 4 inches by design. It passes IRC R312 on arrival without any extra adjustment.
Get a FREE Quote Now
Every CR post is welded on all four sides. No weak joint, no failure point under impact.
CR posts weigh 3.5 lbs with more load capacity and longer structural life.
Every CR anchor set is sized to the post so the base plate does not move over time.
Rust and weather protection with 5 layers of coating all year round; better than 1 paint coat.
Our railings are galvanized first, then coated with a 5-stage commercial powder coat. Two layers protecting the metal, so rust never gets in.
The same finish used on commercial installs, standard on every CR kit.
We’ve built a library of guides, test reports, and real installation footage to help you plan with confidence. Whether you’re comparing specs or figuring out your layout, we’ve got the proof and instructions to back it all up.
View detailed dimensions and technical sheets for each part.
Step-by-step instructions and videos to guide your build.
See how our kits performed in real-world strength and weather tests.
Understand what’s covered in our 10-year product warranty.
The code-compliant structure is identical across all three styles.
V1 Classic | V3 Contemporary | V4 Horizontal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post top | Extends above the top rail | Sits flush with the top rail | Sits flush with the top rail |
| Picket direction | Vertical | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Stair kit available | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Traditional and farmhouse exteriors | Clean modern and transitional spaces | Open-view contemporary decks |
Whichever style you choose, V1, V3, or V4, every CR guardrail is designed for guard applications, and built for inland weather. The style changes, the protection doesn't.
Get a FREE Customized Plan for Your Space
Material: ASTM A500 Grade B Steel
Middle post: 18GA (1.2mm)
Balusters and rails: 19GA (1.0mm)
Top rail: 18GA (1.2mm)
Base plate: 3/16" (4mm) steel
Baluster gap: Under 4" on every kit (meets IRC R312)
Finish: 5-Stage Powder Coat
Matte Black (10% gloss)
Know Our Story
Average customer rating
International Building Code Compliant
to return your product
warranty promised
Position end posts at the start and end of each run, and add corner posts at 90° turns.
Mark post locations, drill with the bits, and secure posts using the provided anchors and screws.
Check that each post is level before tightening.
Attach the lower rail between posts.
Slide balusters into the lower rail - pre-fitted seals keep them snug.
Secure upper rail with adjustable brackets.
Repeat the assembly process for each section kit.
Continue connecting kits seamlessly until your entire planned railing area is covered.
Position end posts at the start and end of each run, and add corner posts at 90° turns.
Mark post locations, drill with the bits, and secure posts using the provided anchors and screws.
Check that each post is level before tightening.
Attach the lower rail between posts.
Slide balusters into the lower rail - pre-fitted seals keep them snug.
Secure upper rail with adjustable brackets.
Repeat the assembly process for each section kit.
Continue connecting kits seamlessly until your entire planned railing area is covered.
Position end posts at the start and end of each run, and add corner posts at 90° turns.
Mark post locations, drill with the bits, and secure posts using the provided anchors and screws.
Check that each post is level before tightening.
Attach the lower rail between posts.
Slide balusters into the lower rail - pre-fitted seals keep them snug.
Secure upper rail with adjustable brackets.
Repeat the assembly process for each section kit.
Continue connecting kits seamlessly until your entire planned railing area is covered.
Trimming is optional, but sometimes necessary to make sure your guard rail fits just right.
Option 1: Cut the last section only (gives an asymmetrical finish).
Option 2: Cut each section equally (gives a symmetrical finish).
Slideable brackets are already included in the kit. You won’t need to purchase separately.
Get Help Planning Your Railing
Trimming is optional, but sometimes necessary to make sure your guard rail fits just right.
Option 1: Cut the last section only (gives an asymmetrical finish).
Option 2: Cut each section equally (gives a symmetrical finish).
Detachable brackets are already included in the kit. You won’t need to purchase separately.
Get Help Planning Your Railing
Trimming is optional, but sometimes necessary to make sure your guard rail fits just right.
Option 1: Cut the last section only (gives an asymmetrical finish).
Option 2: Cut each section equally (gives a symmetrical finish).
Detachable brackets are already included in the kit. You won’t need to purchase separately.
Get Help Planning Your Railing
Our team is just one message away. Reach out for diagrams, clarifications, or personalized assistance. We’re DIY-friendly and happy to help!
On strength claims: we hold no ICC-ES evaluation report or Intertek CCRR for these systems. Our load cases, material yields and the full arithmetic behind every span figure are published, with a live calculator, on our Engineering & Code Compliance page.
* What "IBC compliant" means here. Our guard systems are designed against the guard requirements in the IBC and the IRC — the 200 lb concentrated load applied in any direction, the 50 lb infill load, the 4 in sphere rule and the required guard heights. We hold no ICC-ES evaluation report and no Intertek CCRR, so this is our own engineering rather than a third-party rating, and your building official has the final say. The load cases, the material yields and the full arithmetic are published, with a live calculator, on our Engineering & Code Compliance page.