When building or upgrading a staircase, the handrail is something that can easily get overlooked in the planning stage. The right handrail should feel comfortable in your hand, fit the staircase correctly, and look good in the process.

When looking a double 90 handrail vs candy cane handrail, the main difference lies in the specifics of the staircase and the aesthetic you’d like to achieve.

Country Neighbors offers both of these handrail types as options in their ladder hardware collection, and it’s really a matter of taste and project-specifics when choosing between them.

Double 90 Handrail vs. Candy Cane Handrail: What Is the Difference?

A Double 90 Handrail is a handrail with fittings to allow for turns. True to its name, the fittings on the handrail allow for two 90 degree turns in a handrail. This means that it can be a good fit in situations where a simple straight handrail would not suffice.

This type of handrail would typically be used on an L-shaped or turning staircase, as it can create a sort of “loop” around a landing and continue on to the second or subsequent flights of stairs. Country Neighbors describes their Double 90 handrails as a good choice for corners and turns on loft ladders, bunk ladders, and custom staircases. A Candy Cane Handrail, on the other hand, has a more decorative and curved appeal to it.

It can be a good alternative when looking for a handrail that can be an eye-catching feature on a ladder or staircase. Country Neighbors has Candy Cane Handrails for loft ladders, bunk ladders, and custom staircases. When considering a Double 90 handrail vs candy cane handrail, the first question is as simple as whether or not the staircase turns. But is that really the only difference?

When a Double 90 Handrail Makes Sense

Choosing a Double 90 handrail makes sense when the staircase has a layout that requires the handrail to change direction. Picture an L-Shaped Staircase, for example. The first flight of stairs goes up, until they meet a landing, which leads to the second flight of stairs going in another direction. The handrail needs to turn with the stairs.

That is where a Double 90 fitting can make a lot of sense.

It can create a seamless change of direction for the handrail, rather than have to work with separate pieces. It is often used for custom wooden staircases, as it blends in with the existing staircase and doesn’t stand out as an addition.

Country Neighbors’ guidance on Double 90 handrails also covers L-Shaped, switchback, and other turning stair layout types.

When a Candy Cane Handrail May Be a Better Fit

Perhaps a Candy Cane handrail would be a better fit in a scenario where the staircase or ladder isn’t requiring a corner transition. It is a good alternative for more curved and eye-catching handrail types.

The curved design can be a good fit for rustic interiors, cabins, lofts, bunk areas, and other locales where the handrail is going to be seen and be a part of the overall look and feel of the room. That doesn’t mean that a Candy Cane handrail only has a place in rustic homes, however. Where the handrail fits in with the ladder, staircase, furniture, and overall finish is crucial.

Country Neighbors has several length options for their Candy Cane Handrails, as well as color options (including custom colors).

Make a Choice Based on the Overall Style

This brings us to the personal choice part of the equation. A Double 90 handrail tends to make more sense when the architectural design of the staircase is the bigger focus. It serves to help the handrail make a direction change while being able to keep the transition clean looking.

A Candy Cane handrail, on the other hand, can give a little more visual emphasis to the handrail itself. The curve can become a design feature on the staircase instead, rather than just be a part of it.

For a rustic cabin or traditional wooden staircase, either could work. The important part is that the handrail doesn’t feel out-of-place with the other woodwork. Country Neighbors’ custom ladders are available in raw, sanded, stained, and painted finishes, and while the company primarily works with red and white oak, they can discuss other species for specific applications.

Wood Species and Finish Matter

A handrail doesn’t exist on its own. Whether it’s an addition to an existing staircase or not, the differences in wood color, grain, profile, and finish can be incredibly eye-catching.

A new handrail in a light shade of wood may not make much sense when attached to a darker staircase. Same goes for an overly shiny finish on a staircase that is meant to have a rougher, more rustic look. If you are ordering a custom ladder or staircase at the same time, it’s easier to think of the ladder, handrail, brackets, and finish as a whole.

Country Neighbors recommends talking about species and finishes before ordering custom pieces, as custom pieces are made to specific measurements.

Don’t Forget About Safety

While the look and feel of the handrail is important, it does have a job to do.

For a residential stairway that falls under the jurisdiction of the International Residential Code (IRC), a handrail is generally required on at least one side of a flight of stairs with four or more risers. The IRC also includes requirements related to handrail height, projection, clearances, continuity, and graspability.

The applicable code for your project (or a consult with a local building official) should always be your reference point for requirements. That is yet another reason to base your decision on the handrail on the specifics of the staircase rather than just go with a handrail because you like the look of it.

Which One Should You Choose?

When looking a double 90 handrail vs candy cane handrail, start with the staircase.

A Double 90 handrail is a good choice when:

• Your staircase has a turn at a landing or corner.
• You need the handrail to transition around a 90-degree turn.
• You want the handrail to have a clean, continuous appearance around the turning staircase.
• The handrail needs to match a custom staircase layout.

A Candy Cane handrail is a good choice when:

• You want to use a more decorative or curved handrail profile.
• The staircase or ladder doesn’t require a Double 90 corner transition.
• You want the handrail to be a noticeable part of the room’s design.
• You are working on a rustic cabin, loft, bunk, or custom wooden staircase.

There’s really no one-size-fits-all type of handrail, as it ultimately depends on the specific staircase layout, the handrail transition, and the desired look and feel. There’s a lot to consider when making your choice.

Building a Custom Staircase? Start With the Details

A handrail may be one tiny part of a staircase, but it can have a major effect on the appearance of the finished project. If you are still waffling between the two handrail types, take a look at the Double 90 Handrails and Candy Cane Handrails available from Country Neighbors. They both have multiple lengths and custom color options.

You can also browse the full ladder hardware collection, or Country Neighbors’ custom loft ladders if the handrail is part of a bigger project. The right handrail is the one that fits the staircase, feels good in your hand, and looks like a natural part of the space. With a custom wooden staircase or loft ladder, getting those details right is important to making the overall finished product feel as natural as possible.