Frequently Asked Questions
Handrail Faqs
There are four main components in a foot rail system that all fit together to provide a comfortable place to rest your feet: railing/tubing, brackets, end caps and elbows.
To get started, follow the steps below.
- Determine how much tubing you’ll need for your entire bar. Don’t forget, it’s always better to have extra than to end up short!
- Select the bracket style that will support your tubing. For optimal support, you’ll need a bracket at both ends of your bar rail and at three-foot increments for the duration of its length.
- Determine which additional components you’ll need, including end caps, wall flanges and elbow fittings.
- Decide which tubing finish you’d like to use for your rail. Our most popular finishes include brushed stainless steel, polished stainless steel, and oil rubbed bronze. Click here for a complete list of available finishes.
Check out our guide to planning & installing bar foot rails for more tips on getting your bar rail project started.
Yes! All metal brackets are compatible with our wooden tubing.
When choosing an end cap, select items marked as “external.” External fittings are components that fit around the outer diameter the tubing, as opposed to sliding inside. Our wooden tubing is solid, so you must use end caps that fit externally around the wood.
We currently offer three external end cap styles: Decorative External End Cap, Flat External End Cap, and a Center Post End Cap.
Creating a custom length bar rail is easy. If you need a longer rail, use an internal bar rail splicing sleeve to connect two pieces of tubing. Cover the seam between two joined pieces by placing a bracket over the joint.
To make your rail shorter, use a hack saw, a chop saw with a metal cutting blade to cut a piece of standard size tubing until you have the length you need. We always recommend you use a miter box any time you are using a hack saw to keep your cuts as straight possible. If the ends of the tube look or feel rough, use a wire wheel or file to smooth them. You can easily cover any rough ends with an external end cap or a bracket.
Bar foot rail typically sits 6-8” from the ground depending on the style of bar rail brackets used. You can go higher to accommodate the height of your bar stools or countertop. We recommend using bar mounted brackets or ordering custom bar rail brackets for installations requiring a height greater than 8”.
f you’d like information about additional delivery options for your order, send us an email or give us a call! We’re happy to provide you with a shipping estimate.
- Email:
support@lyfehardware.com. We will reply to you as quickly as possible! - Call:
(+1) 818 514 4720 Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
To accurately measure foot rail tubing that will turn a corner, add the depth of the bracket, minus the dimensions of the elbow you will be using. For example, if you select a bracket that holds the rail 6-inches from the face of the bar, that bracket will add nearly 6-inches to the overall length of rail you will need. (6’ section of bar + 6” bracket depth – 3” elbow fitting size = 6’ 3” section of tubing needed)
Bar Foot Rail Finish Questions
Yes, you can special order any finish you need to match your project specifications. We can also match any color based on a sample you provide to us to create a custom finish for your bar rail.
Yes, if you are looking to achieve a satin finish for your brass or stainless steel foot rail then you will want to choose the brushed style.
We recommend going with our gunmetal grey, matte black or sunset copper finished bar rail tubing and components for outdoor use. These are constructed from stainless steel with a powder coated finish. You can also special order any style of tubing with a clearcoat finish to protect it from the elements.
Yes, our brass bar rail will naturally patina over time. Consistent cleaning of your tubing will maintain its finish or you can apply a clear coat finish to protect the look of your brass foot rail.
Yes, you can special order 1.5” tubing in any finish.
Yes, you can special order 1.5” tubing in any finish.
Bar Foot Rail Installation Questions
Preparation and patience are key when installing bar foot rail to protect your tubing from scratches during the installation process. Try to handle the tubing as little as possible once you’ve laid it out. If your tubing arrives wrapped in a layer of plastic film, keep it in place as long as possible to help protect it.
It also helps to make sure the openings of your brackets are smooth and clean so they won’t scratch the tubing when you slide them in place. Use a water-based lubricant to aid in sliding the tubing through the brackets. Place the tubing through the brackets before splicing your sections of tubing together to prevent you from having to slide a bracket across a long piece of tubing.
Bar foot rail end caps are designed to fit loosely to allow room for error during the manufacturing process. Simply slide your end cap into the end of the tubing to attach it. We recommend coating the inside of the end of your tubing with an adhesive, such as Loctite Red or JB Weld SuperWeld, before inserting the end caps for a permanent bond. You can also wrap the stem of the end cap with masking tape or electrical tape several times before sliding it into the tubing for a snug fit.
Compress the splice with a pair of channel lock pliers and push the splice into the end of the first piece of tubing. Then, do the same with the other end of the splice and insert it into the second piece of tubing that you want to connect. Splicing sleeves should be used any time you are connecting sections of tubing.
You’ll want to place brackets 2-6 inches from the end of your tubing plus any place where tubing is connected by a splicing sleeve. For straight runs of tubing with no seams place the bracket in the center for balanced support.
Bar mounted brackets must be anchored from behind the bar with the threaded bolt that is included with your bar mounting hardware. Combination brackets and 90-degree brackets do not need to be anchored from behind the bar as the weight on the foot rail is being distributed to the floor.
While using the bolt is the preferred method, mounting your bar rail to a stud using the proper hardware will provide satisfactory strength and stability for a bar mounted bracket.
Tapcon concrete screws are ideal for installing brackets into concrete.
When connecting two sections of tubing around a corner with an elbow fitting, you’ll want to attach the fitting once the first section of tubing is properly installed, then loosely attach the second section of tubing before securing it in place.
Bar Foot Rail Product Questions
AllLyfeHardware bar rail brackets come with wood mounting screws and set screws. We also include a threaded mounting bolt and nut with our bar mounted brackets.
Mounting screws are 1 ½” long.
Yes, you can special order tubing in those lengths. Please note that tubing over 8’ long must be shipped by freight which will increase your costs and the lead time of you receiving your tubing.
Yes, black pipe can be custom cut and threaded. Just provideLyfeHardware with the measurements of your bar, we can determine the length(s) of custom cuts needed to assemble a black pipe foot rail system. Contact our bar rail specialists to place your custom order.
Yes, 1.5” tubing can be used for foot rail and handrail projects.
All of our powder coated tubing, brackets and components are constructed from durable stainless steel.