Stair Rods: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Quality

When it comes to adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your staircase, solid brass stair rods are an excellent choice. At CAT, our stair rods are designed to offer durability and style, available in various sizes and finishes to suit any space, whether residential or commercial. This guide will explore the range of stair rods we offer, the best ways to maintain them, and tips for installation.

Sizes and Styles

We offer a variety of high-quality solid brass rods, which can be customised with different finial ends and diameters, including:

• 10mm Stair Rods
  Ideal for residential properties and smaller staircases, 10mm rods offer a sleek, refined look. Each rod is supplied with two hinged eyes for easy installation and enhanced stability.
• 12.5mm Stair Rods
  The most popular size in our range, 12.5mm rods are versatile enough to be used in both residential and commercial spaces. They come with the largest variety of finial designs.
• 16mm Stair Rods
  Best suited for wider steps found in commercial buildings like hotels and theatres, 16mm solid brass stair rods provide an elegant and robust solution for more expansive spaces.
• 19mm Stair Rods
  Our 19mm stair rods are designed for larger installations, such as heritage buildings, hotels, or external staircases. These rods are the perfect choice for wider steps and more grandiose settings, providing both functionality and visual impact.
• Triangular Stair Rods
  For those seeking a unique alternative to traditional round rods, our triangular brass rods feature a 22mm face. They are available with four distinct finial designs and offer a modern, stylish look.

Two hinged fixing eyes are included.

Acorn

Available in: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm & 19mm

Ball

Available in: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm & 19mm

Castle

Available in: 10mm, 12.5mm & 16mm

Jester (Large Finial)

Available in: 12.5mm & 16mm

Pineapple (Large Finial)

Available in: 12.5mm & 16mm

Minstrel

Available in: 12.5mm

Beacon

Available in: 12.5mm

Solar

Available in: 12.5mm

Turret

Available in: 12.5mm

Spear

Available in: 12.5mm

Oval

Available in: 12.5mm

Plain

Available in: Triangular

Fleur De Lys

Available in: Triangular

Trefoil

Available in: Triangular

Spear

Available in: Triangular

Finishes Available

Our stair rods come in a variety of luxurious finishes to suit any décor:

Polished Brass

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Satin Brass

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Antique Bronze

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Antique Brass

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Chrome

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Satin Chrome

Available for: 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm & Triangular

Nickel

Available for: 12.5mm

Satin Nickel

Available for: 12.5mm

Each finish provides a unique aesthetic, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your staircase.

Maintenance Tips for Stair Rods

Maintaining the beauty and longevity of your stair rods requires minimal effort but should be done regularly to preserve their appearance.

• Polished Brass
  Polished brass stair rods require regular cleaning with a soft cloth and suitable metal polish. Ensure that no residue is left behind to maintain their glossy appearance. Alternatively, you can allow the rods to naturally oxidise for an aged look.
• Satin Brass
  Wipe satin brass stair rods with a dry cloth or duster. Avoid using liquids. For minor scuffs or scratches, a green Scotch pad can be used, making sure to rub along the grain of the finish.
• Antique Brass and Antique Bronze
  These finishes are hand-applied and may vary between batches, giving them an authentic, aged appearance. Wipe them down with a dry cloth or use a damp cloth for more heavily soiled areas, drying immediately afterward.
• Chrome Plated
  Chrome finishes can be maintained with a quick buff using a dry cloth or duster. A damp cloth may be used for more thorough cleaning but should be dried immediately to avoid water spots or tarnishing.

Installation Guide

Proper installation is key to ensuring that your stair rods not only look fantastic but also remain securely in place. Follow these steps for successful installation:

1. Measuring the Stair Rods
   Add an additional 100mm to the width of your carpet runner to determine the rod length. For example, if your carpet runner is 686mm (27 inches) wide, your stair rods should be at least 786mm from tip to tip. Rods with large finials and triangular rods need an additional 150mm to the width of the carpet, please mention that. Triangular rods with plain ends need an additional 100mm. We also offering a joining detail for wider staircases and a centre fixing eye for 19mm rods.

2. Fixing the Eyes
   Place the hinged eyes into the tread riser, ensuring they sit flush against the edge of the carpet runner. Leave a 3mm (1/8 inch) gap between the rod and runner. For concrete stairs, use rawl plugs, while for timber stairs, direct screw fixing into the tread and riser is recommended.
3. Pilot Drilling (if necessary)
   If you’re working with particularly hard wood, you may need to pilot drill before securing the screws.
4. Aesthetic Use
   Remember, stair rods are purely decorative. Always use wooden gripper rods to ensure your carpet is fully secured on the stairs.

For additional assistance, our CAT sales office is always available to provide technical advice on measuring and installing stair rods.

Why Choose CAT Stair Rods?

Our stair rods combine beauty and function, offering an exquisite finishing touch to any staircase. Whether you’re seeking a modern or traditional look, we have the perfect solution for you, backed by decades of expertise in creating high-quality brass fittings. With a wide range of designs, finishes, and sizes available, we can help you elevate your staircase design with ease.

We often receive requests from customers to refurbish old rods and eyes. Subject to sight of the rods, we are happy to re-polish customer rods and strip old paint if required.

For staircases with curved treads, stair rods can be fabricated to customer templates. Templates to be supplied in stiff card with all order information, including tip to tip dimensions shown of the rod.