What is a significant safety concern for stair railings?

The height and spacing of balusters in stair railings are critical safety concerns because they play a vital role in preventing falls. Building codes typically establish specific height requirements for railings to ensure that they provide sufficient protection on staircases. If the railings are too low, they may not effectively prevent someone from falling over them.

Additionally, the spacing between balusters is equally important. If the balusters are too far apart, small children or pets can easily slip through, leading to dangerous falls. Properly designed balusters must be installed to limit the maximum width of openings, typically no more than 4 inches apart, to minimize these risks.

The other aspects such as color, material, and style are important for aesthetic and durability reasons, but they do not address the primary function of safety that the height and spacing of balusters specifically target. Balusters must not only be functional in terms of stability but also conform to building safety codes to ensure the well-being of users.