SK Rails, based in Saskatchewan, Canada, adheres to five main standards in the creation of its railing products: versatility, strength, innovation, ease of installation, and quality. Beyond this, SK Rails is also committed to following building codes relating to railings and always designs its products to meet or exceed code requirements.
To ensure that building codes remain relatively uniform in both the United States and Canada, the International Code Council (ICC) was created in 1999. I-Codes have a minimum safety standard for construction, but not every province in Canada is required to follow these codes. Canadian provinces can opt to use the National Building Code (NBC) system instead of I-Codes. According to the Canadian building codes, guardrails are required whenever a deck sits more than 24 inches above the ground. This is stricter than in the United States, which requires a guardrail only when decks are at least 30 inches above ground. In Canada, the required height of the guardrail depends on how high the deck is. When decks are between 24 inches and 70 inches above ground, they must be outfitted with a guardrail of a height at least 36 inches above the deck surface. Decks 70 inches above ground need a guardrail 42 inches or taller.
0 Comments
A premier provider of code-tested railings, SK Rails serves both residential and commercial applications. In an effort to offer customers a virtually limitless range of products, SK Rails sells products made from iron, cable, and wood.
Staircases and handrails can utilize a range of wood options to provide the look and durability homeowners want for their space. Following are some of the most popular species of wood used in staircase projects: - Oak: In the United States, red oak is the most common species used for staircases. The reason this particular wood is so popular is that it is the easiest to sand, stain, and finish. White oak is another popular choice, thanks to its superior resistance to water. Typically, the appearance of white oak is grayer. - Mahogany: This durable wood provides homes with a high-end look that is often unmatched by other wood species. African mahogany is noted for being extremely tough despite its light weight, and a fine grain that adds sophistication to a home. Because of this superior appearance and durability, many homeowners feel mahogany is worth its extra cost. - Cherry: Homeowners seeking a long-lasting wood often set their sights on cherry. Featuring a unique warmth, American Cherry is a softer wood ranging from auburn to strawberry blond in color. The rich, reddish-brown color of American Cherry is also seen in Brazilian cherry, though the latter species is much more long-lasting. A custom railing company located in Saskatchewan, Canada, SK Rails installs a wide variety of wood, cable, and wrought iron railings. With a reputation for durability, all SK Rails products undergo rigorous testing to ensure strength and quality. If you spend a little time on upkeep, iron railings will retain their elegant beauty for many years. To care for your ironwork, wash the railings regularly with soapy water to keep them clean and free of debris. As you clean the iron, inspect it for any damage, loose hardware, or rust, and promptly repair the affected areas. Uneven color, oily residue, or a bumpy surface are signs that the metal or paint has deteriorated and needs your attention. When you notice rusted areas on the iron, use a toothbrush or other small cleaning brush to scrub away the rust to stop it from penetrating the surface and spreading. If a regular toothbrush doesn’t work, try sandpaper or a fine wire brush to remove the rust, then treat the area with wax, paint, or a protective spray to defend it from further weathering. Canada-based railing company SK Rails provides virtually maintenance-free cable, wood, and iron railings to customer in the commercial and residential sectors. SK Rails workers belong to Canada’s Professional Iron Workers, a union that ensures ironworkers are well-trained and fairly paid for their work. According to this union, there are four common types of ironworkers:
Structural Capable of reading engineering blueprints, structural ironworkers are responsible for positioning steel girders and beams and securing them in place by hand. They usually undergo specialized training in preparation for their work and often operate at high elevation. Reinforcing Often referred to as rodbusters, reinforcing ironworkers are responsible for cutting, tying, and reinforcing the bars that create the skeleton of concrete structures. These ironworkers often use cutting torches and hand tools to complete their tasks. Ornamental After a structure is completed, ornamental ironworkers add the additional architectural details that make buildings attractive and safe to use. These details include such things as staircases, curtain walls, and railings. Welding is primarily used by ornamental ironworkers, but such professionals may use multiple types of tools. Structural steel fabricator Before anything can be built, structural steel fabricators create the steel components that are put together to become the frame for bridges and buildings. Also known as shop ironworkers, these professionals are among the most versatile and are capable of working with brass, steel, and copper |