2m unsupported handrail

Hi,

I have recently complete building a deck on my house (<1m meant no legal requirement for handrails). I am now finally getting around to adding the handrails. I am thinking of using a 100x50 dressed to 95x45? as a handrail. The handrail will be installed with the long edge horizontal. The plan is to use spotted gum to match the posts and beams.

I am concerned that the handrail will sag under its own weight over an unsupported span of 2m.

I also have the option of using F17 or F27 (Kiln dried) hardwood, hopefully I can persuade the supplier to let me select the pieces to make sure I get carefully selected to get spotted gum. Or I can use Rough F14 (green) timber and dress it myself. I am concerned that the F14 will warp easier than the F17 or F27.

Any comments or recommendations will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Sean
PS. Anyone know of a good inexpensive stainless steel wire balustrade supplier in Brisbane?

If you ran a groove in the bottom of the rail, you could run a length of that stainless steel wire under tension to provide support to the rail and discourage sag.

Just a thought.

Its a bit of an ask to expect the timber to not bow over 2m, & it will be bouncy when you lean on it. However, if its the only option, the kiln dried is not a bad option, or you could go find a heavy piece of 4 x 2 at you're local timber recycler, bring it home & dress it up yourself. It will be harder & better seasoned than anything you can buy. It would be best if you could use a species that was durable, but that might be a bit hard to identify. To get the right colour match, just use a stanley knife at the yard & pare away a strip to see if you have a colour to you're liking. To get the most life out of you're handrail, use a polyurethane joint sealer like "Sikaflex" in the joints & where it makes contact with posts etc. Dont use green HW.

Thanks for your comments & suggesions, much appreciated.

Sean

If you want a piece of green spotty, give me a PM.