Traditional Wrought Iron Railing with Brass Cap, Chicago

The detail that makes this one is the cap rail. It is a traditional interior railing in Chicago, satin black square bar, finished with a brass cap along the top, the part you grip as you take the stairs.

A contrasting cap rail is a quiet way to make a railing feel custom. The satin black does the framing while the brass top catches the light and warms the whole piece up, especially in an older home with wood and warmer tones already in play. Brass also wears in nicely, taking on character with use rather than looking worn.

Traditional styling suits a home with some age and ornament to it, and satin black is the most-used finish we put on interior wrought iron for exactly that reason: deep without being glossy, and it reads classic. The black metal is primed and painted; the brass cap is its own finish. Everything is built and installed by the same crew and templated to the actual staircase.

If you want a railing with one detail that sets it apart, a cap rail is a good place to spend it. Stop by the Signature Metal Works shop to see finishes side by side.