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Oak is renowned for its beauty, strength, and versatility, so it's no surprise that oak is a popular material when it comes to staircase construction. If you're thinking about dressing up an oak handrail, end caps are the perfect accessory to complete your look.
This guide shares some of the reasons why you should consider oak. You will learn about the different styles and materials of end caps available, as well as how to clean and take care of your oak handrail.
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Oak is one of the most popular materials of handrails – read more about the benefits of choosing oak.
How to make your selection.
Read on to discover the various aesthetics you can achieve when finding an end cap for your handrail.
Taking care of your oak handrail and end caps can allow them to last much longer.
Oak has remained a popular choice for stair parts for decades, due to both its beautiful colour and its hardiness, proving resistant to scratches and dents.
The passage of time only adds to oak's appeal, with it being hardy enough to withstand multiple refurbishments. An oak handrail will look right at home in a period property and match well with older pieces of oak furniture. It will also work wonderfully in a modern Scandinavian style interior, where natural and muted tones are being used to create a light and airy space. Find out more about the benefits of choosing an oak handrail here.
As well as its overall design benefits, oak is also a strong, durable and practical option for your staircase. Although it is often pricier than other materials, oak’s incredible strength means it can be a worthwhile investment.
The subtle, natural shade of white oak also means that it will look fantastic against most wall colours. An oak handrail will likely work well with whatever handrail end cap material you choose.
When paired with a black metal end cap, an oak stair handrail can help to create a bold and dramatic statement staircase. Brass is also a perfect metal to combine with warm-toned woods such as oak, and can create a homely feel for your staircase.
Alternatively, oak and brushed nickel together create an ultra-modern look for your stairs, and contemporary nickel end caps are also a common choice when achieving a modern aesthetic.
Chrome is another option you could you consider for an end cap, as it is neutral in tone and therefore works well with most woods, no matter whether they are pale or dark, cool or warm. However, we find that it looks particularly good alongside lighter woods such as oak. You can shop our selection of chrome end caps to view our full range.
Read our guide to choosing chrome end caps here.
Once you have chosen your end cap, you might also choose to elevate the look of your oak handrail even further with other decorative accessories, such as a handrail bracket.
Visit our handrail brackets advice centre here.
You can shop the full range of oak handrails here.
When finding an end cap for your oak handrail, you have to make a decision between choosing a simple end cap design or a more decorative end cap design. Price is also a factor to consider when choosing a style – for example, often the smaller and simpler a design is – the cheaper the price.
If you are looking for a minimalist style end cap to keep things simple, you can opt for an option such as our simple slim end caps.
If you are looking to dress up your handrail and add some drama, you can opt for a more decorative design, such as a filigree end cap, or a petal end cap design. An octagonal end cap design can also be a perfect solution if you are looking for a modest design that still adds a bit of decoration to your handrail system.
Shop our full range of handrail end caps here to view your options.
Proper care and regular maintenance will keep your oak handrail looking its best for as long as possible. You will want to make sure that you patch up any small imperfections in the wood as they occur by using oak wood filler. It is also vital to use Treatex Hardwax Wood Oil to enhance the natural beauty of your wood, as well as protecting it and keeping it looking fresh.
Visit our staircase finishings range for your wood handrail kit here.
When it comes to your end cap, how you care for it depends on the type of metal you choose. For more information, visit our advice page on metal stair parts.
You can read more helpful tips on how to take care of your staircase here.
