There’s nothing like pulling a stool as much as a well-designed and well-built bar. Few equipment can take your bar to the extent of authenticity and luxury that bar foot rails can. Whether or not you’re constructing a house bar or a business institution, foot rails add a contact of sophistication that makes an strange bar extraordinary, and with KegWorks, they’re simple to order and set up.
What’s Bar Foot Rail?
A bar foot rail is a horizontal bar put in on the base of a bar counter. It offers a snug place for patrons to relaxation their ft whereas standing on the bar or sitting on bar stools. Not solely does it add a component of consolation, but it surely additionally enhances the general aesthetic of the bar, giving it a elegant and alluring look.
Bar Foot Rail Elements
All bar foot rail tasks would require three essential elements (tubing, brackets & finish caps). Some installations might require as many as six elements to finish the bar foot rail system. The scale and form of your bar will dictate the elements you want:
Required Elements
- Tubing: The bones of your foot rail challenge; tubing is the steel rail that serves as your footrest. KegWorks presents 4 completely different kinds of tubing for bar foot rail. We stock customary 2” exterior diameter (OD) tubing in brass, completed stainless-steel, and wooden, in addition to 2″ inside diameter black iron pipe superb for business and residential bar rail use. 1.5” OD tubing can be utilized for residential bar rail, bar shelving, handrail, and ornamental prime rail set up. KegWorks additionally carries 1.5” OD sq. tubing in Matte Black and Gunmetal Gray as in-stock choices for bar rail tasks. Whereas we don’t usually inventory 1” OD tubing, it’s accessible as a particular order choice for our clients.
Foot rail tubing is out there in 2’, 4’, 6’ and eight’ sections that may be minimize all the way down to match the specs of your challenge. We additionally provide customized bending to roll exact foot rails for constructions of any measurement or form.
- Brackets: Bar foot rail brackets join your tubing to your bar and/or the ground. There are a number of choices to match the look and setup you’re attempting to attain. KegWorks additionally presents customized brackets for distinctive installations. Customized brackets are fabricated to fulfill your challenge’s specs, after which we apply the end of your selecting to them.
- Finish caps: Finish caps connect to the top of the foot rail tubing to offer a completed search for your challenge.
Professional Tip: Bar Foot Rail Kits include all the things you want for those who’re planning a straight run of foot rail. Kits can be found in 6’ and eight’ lengths and embody the required tubing, brackets, and finish caps.
Non-obligatory Elements
- Elbows: Elbows join foot rail sections at a nook joint. They’re accessible in 90-degree and 45/135-degree angles and adjustable fittings.
- Splicing sleeves: Splicing sleeves go on the within of your bar rail tubing to attach two items while you want bar rail longer than 8 ft to suit your bar’s dimensions.
- Wall flanges: Wall flanges are wanted when the top of the foot rail tubing meets a wall or some other flat floor.
Further Bar Rail Touches for Your Bar
- Drink Rail: Drink rails connect to the inside of your bar and supply an space for servers to arrange drinks with out having to fret about spills gathering on the bar prime. They’re primarily constructed from stainless-steel and may have a drain put in to dispel spilled liquids. This can be a should for business institutions and a pleasant add-on for dwelling bars.
- Service Bar Rail: An ideal addition for any business bar challenge, service bar rail clears an area alongside your bar for servers to put and choose up drink orders with out patrons’ interference. It mounts simply to your bar and is out there in finishes to match your challenge.
- Bar Rail Molding: Wood armrests, generally generally known as Chicago bar rail or bar rail molding, add consolation, model, and performance to your bar. They supply a completed look to your bar prime and add extra consolation. Bar rail molding also can preserve glassware and spills from falling off the bar prime and onto the ground. Wood armrests can be found in 4 several types of wooden, and you may apply stains to match your challenge’s design.
- Handrails: Handrails are much like bar foot rails and can be found in a number of finishes. Like foot rails, steel armrests have three essential elements: tubing, brackets, and finish caps. The handrail extends the size of the bar and provides folks one thing to lean on.
Ordering Bar Foot Rail
Planning is important to make sure you buy the proper elements in your foot rail. Bear in mind that you will want not less than three essential elements: tubing, brackets, and finish caps. Relying in your bar’s format, you might also want splicing sleeves, elbows, or wall flanges.
Listed below are easy steps to take earlier than you order to make sure that you get exactly what you have to for the proper foot rail system.
How a lot bar rail tubing do you want?
It is best to measure very rigorously earlier than ordering tubing in your foot rail challenge. First, make a easy sketch by measuring either side of the bar that may have foot rail.
It’s useful to make a digital rail on the ground round your bar with string or painter’s tape; doing it will aid you visualize how a lot area you’ll want in your foot rail.
Upon getting laid out your design on the ground, measure every part to calculate the tubing you want. Tubing is bought in 2’, 4’, 6’ and eight’ lengths. In case your bar is longer than 8’, you could be a part of two items of tubing collectively to make a rail that matches your bar. Connecting the items is straightforward with a splicing sleeve, an inner connector that you simply insert into the top of every tube.
Professional Tip: Hold your tubing sections symmetrical when splicing collectively for stronger help and aesthetic attraction.
Measuring for corners
In case your foot rail plans embody turning a nook, you could consider brackets and elbow fittings. To precisely measure foot rail tubing that may flip a nook, add the depth of the bracket minus the scale of the elbow you may be utilizing. For instance, if you choose a bracket that holds the rail 6 inches from the face of the bar, that bracket will add almost 6 inches to the general size of the rail you have to. (6’ part of bar + 6” bracket depth – 3” elbow becoming measurement = 6’ 3” part of tubing wanted)
Spherical up your measurement
When ordering tubing, it’s all the time smart to spherical as much as the closest foot. In case your bar just isn’t a full foot increment (i.e., 6′, 7′) however slightly has some inch increment (i.e., 6’2″, 7’2″), you have to to order as much as the subsequent foot. So in case your bar is 3’2″, you could order a 4-foot piece of tubing. In case your bar is 7’2″, you could order an 8-foot piece of tubing, and so forth. When putting in your tubing, you could minimize the rail with a noticed. It’s a lot simpler (and cheaper) to chop off extra tubing than it’s to attach extra.
What number of bar rail brackets do you want?
You should set up brackets to carry the tubing in place to help your foot rail. To make sure your foot rail has the correct help, you’ll want a bracket 2-6 inches from the top of your tubing or elbow and a further bracket for each 3-4 ft of tubing. For instance, when you have 8 ft of tubing, you’ll want one bracket on every finish and one within the heart, for a complete of three brackets.
Selecting your bracket model
Now is a superb time to make sure your bar face and ground floor can help the brackets you need in your challenge. Mixture brackets are the preferred choice as a result of they’re comparatively simple to put in. A combo bracket is hooked up to the face of the bar, with the foot resting on the ground for help.
For individuals who wish to use bar-mounted brackets, ensure you can entry the again of the die face to safe it correctly. To make sure ample help, you might want so as to add depth to the face of your bar to help the load of the rear bolt. It requires a stable backing not less than ¾” deep.
Flooring mounted brackets in addition to rounded heart put up brackets (each customary and tall) provide the choice to put in bar foot rail with out having to screw {hardware} into the face of the bar. Simply guarantee you may safely drill into the floor beneath the bracket to safe it correctly.
Bracket Kinds:
- Bar mount brackets
- Mixture brackets
- Flooring mount brackets
- 90-degree brackets
- Heart put up brackets
- Rounded heart put up brackets
- Tall rounded heart put up brackets
Seek the advice of our Bar Foot Rail Brackets Information to be taught in regards to the look, peak, and performance of the numerous bracket kinds we provide. Choose brackets that greatest complement the appear and feel of your bar. Most clients will order brackets in a end that matches their bar rail, however you may also select a contrasting end so as to add a novel contact to your challenge.
What peak and distance do you put in bar foot rail brackets?
Bar foot rail usually sits 6-8” from the bottom, relying on the model of bar rail brackets used. You possibly can go increased to accommodate the peak of your bar stools or countertop. We suggest utilizing bar mounted brackets or ordering customized bar rail brackets for installations requiring a peak larger than 8”.
Whereas brackets that mount to the bar face create a set distance away from the bar that your foot rail might be put in, there’s a bracket choice that permits you some flexibility. Rounded heart put up brackets mount strictly to the ground, which lets you select how removed from the bar you arrange your bar rail. We suggest putting in heart put up brackets 6” from the bar, however you may set up them both farther away or nearer as wanted.
What different elements do I would like for my bar rail challenge?
Upon getting sketched out the format in your bar rail and decided how a lot tubing you have to, you must jot down the amount and magnificence of some other elements you have to to finish your challenge.
An in depth listing of the variety of brackets, splicing sleeves, finish caps, flanges, and/or elbows you’ll want in your challenge, together with measurement, model, and/or end, can be an enormous assist when ordering.
Finish Caps & Flanges
For the standard bar rail set up, you have to two finish caps, one for every finish of the tubing. Relying in your style or challenge specs, you may select from domed, flush, or ornamental finish caps.
When you’re wanting to make use of steel finish caps with a wood rail, simply ensure to pick out finish caps marked as “exterior fittings.” Exterior fittings are elements that match across the outer diameter of the tubing, and since wood rails are stable, your finish caps want to suit across the wooden.
In case your bar space butts as much as an adjoining wall, you should use wall flanges as an alternative of finish caps to safe the ends of your foot rail.
Elbows
For bar areas which can be L-shaped or have a number of corners, elbow fittings can be wanted to wrap the bar rail round a nook and join the separate runs of tubing. Relying on the format of your bar, you may select from both 90 or 45/135-degree angle fittings or adjustable elbow fittings.
Choosing a bar foot rail end
That is essentially the most enjoyable step. Select a end you want based mostly on its look and one you might be prepared to carry out the required quantity of upkeep on. Some finishes are simpler to keep up than others. Try our Bar Rail Upkeep Information to be taught extra about caring for the completely different finishes we provide.
When you plan on putting in your bar foot rail outside, select a end designed to face up to the weather. You may also select to have our different finishes protected by a transparent coat. This can can help you keep your bar rail’s shine over time, even whether it is used for an outside bar.
Along with our customary end choices, we additionally provide customized finishes. When you present us with a pattern of your required end or colour, we are able to end your entire tubing and elements to match.
Instance Bar Foot Rail Layouts
Primarily based on the steps outlined above, let’s look at a couple of frequent examples of what you’d want to put in foot rails on completely different bar layouts.
6’ Bar Foot Rail – Straight Bar
- (1) 6-foot bar rail tube
- (3) brackets
- (2) finish caps
10’ Bar Foot Rail – Straight Bar
- (3) 4-foot bar rail tubes (two tubes can be minimize down to three’)
- (2) splicing sleeves
- (4) brackets
- (2) finish caps
12’ Bar Foot Rail – Straight Bar
- (2) 6-foot bar rail tubes
- (1) splicing sleeve
- (5) brackets
- (2) finish caps
10’ x 4’ Bar Foot Rail – L-shaped Bar
- (4) 4-foot bar rail tubes (two tubes can be minimize down to three’)
- (2) – splicing sleeves
- (6) – brackets
- (1) – elbow becoming
- (2) – finish caps
4’ x 10 x 4’ Bar Foot Rail – U-shaped Bar
- (5) 4-foot bar rail tubes (two tubes can be minimize down to three’)
- (2) splicing sleeves
- (8) brackets
- (2) elbow fittings
- (2) finish caps
How To Set up Bar Foot Rail
Instruments Wanted For Putting in Bar Foot Rail
- Electrical Drill/Electrical Screwdriver
- Noticed – See directions for sort of noticed wanted for tubing materials
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Steel file – For smoothing out minimize tubing edges
- Channel Lock Pliers
- Adhesive for elbows and finish caps
Professional Tip: Preparation is essential when putting in bar foot rails. A bit little bit of prep will eradicate waste and/or errors. Defend your tubing from scratches and dings throughout set up. In case your tubing arrives wrapped in a layer of plastic movie, preserve this masking in place so long as doable to assist defend it.
Step 1: Chopping Tubing (non-obligatory)
You could have to regulate the size of the tubing you buy to make it the proper measurement in your bar. You should make these changes earlier than assembling your system. To do that, first, measure and mark the place you have to to chop your tubing. When figuring out tube minimize lengths, remember that the splicing joints needs to be hidden inside a bracket. Hold your sections of tubing symmetrical when splicing collectively for stronger help and higher aesthetic attraction. Just be sure you double-check your entire measurements earlier than you chop.
Chopping Brass Tubing:
- You should use both a hacksaw or a powered radial arm noticed to chop brass tubing.
- It is vitally necessary that your cuts be sq. to the size of the tube.
- When you use a hacksaw, use a miter field to make sure your cuts are straight.
- In case you are utilizing a powered radial noticed arm, use a fine-toothed blade or an abrasive wheel.
- After reducing the rail, file it to easy the sting.
Chopping Stainless Metal Tubing:
- Stainless-steel is a more durable alloy than brass, so that you’ll wish to use a powered radial arm noticed with a carbide tip blade for stainless-steel tubing.
- It is vitally necessary that your cuts be sq. to the size of the tube.
- After reducing the rail, file it to easy the sting.
Step 2: Loosely Assemble Foot Rail
As soon as your tubing is the best size, loosely assemble the foot rail by making use of soapy water with rag or a water-based lubricant and sliding the tubing by way of the brackets. It’s necessary to do that earlier than splicing so you do not have to slip brackets down a protracted size of tubing.
Professional tip: Be certain the openings of your brackets are clear and easy to keep away from scratches when sliding them into place.
Don’t get too excited and get forward of your self, you don’t wish to connect tubing to the brackets with set screws, or connect the brackets to the wall simply but.
Step 3: Splice Tubes Collectively (non-obligatory)
To hitch two items of tubing collectively, you have to to insert inner connectors referred to as splicing sleeves. These steel items are inserted into the top of every tube. To insert a splice right into a tube, compress the splice with a pair of channel lock pliers and push it into the top of the primary piece of tubing. Then, do the identical with the opposite finish of the splice and insert it into the second piece of tubing that you simply wish to join. Utilizing soapy water will make it simpler to slip the tubes onto the splice.
A greatest follow is to put your brackets the place tubes are spliced collectively. This offers added stability and power to your foot rail and a neater look the place the joints are hid by your bracket.
Step 4: Mark The place Your Brackets Will Go
Use a pencil to mark the place your brackets will go on the bar face. To make sure a degree and steady foot rail, you’ll want a bracket 2-6 inches from the top of your tubing or elbow and a further bracket each 3-4 ft thereafter. For instance, in case you are putting in an 8’ run of bar rail, you’ll want one bracket on every finish and one within the heart, for a complete of three brackets.
To carry the screws in place, the bracket requires a stable backing not less than 3/4-inch deep. Now is an efficient time to double-check that your bar can help the brackets (for those who didn’t verify while you initially ordered them).
In case you are utilizing a wall to safe your bracket, discovering a wall stud for mounting is right. If studs aren’t doable, you should use a wall anchor as an alternative; nonetheless, it is very important decide the proper measurement and sort that you simply want.
Do you have to require wall anchors, we advise a visit to your native ironmongery store. Wall anchors are available a wide range of sizes and kinds. The professionals on the ironmongery store ought to have the ability to reply any questions that you simply might need concerning one of the best wall anchor in your job.
Step 5: Set up & Safe Brackets
As soon as you might be snug with the position of your brackets and rails, you’re prepared to connect them to your bar or wall. Begin by pre-drilling all of the holes in your bar and ground (if relevant).
As soon as your entire pilot holes are drilled, connect the brackets to the wall and ground with mounting screws alongside the primary straight part of your bar, leaving a bit of wiggle room to regulate as you go. As soon as all of the mounting screws are in place, tighten them to make sure your bar foot rail is correctly safe.
Professional Tip: When you’re utilizing a wall flange rather than a help bracket, slide the flange onto the tube earlier than securing that part of foot rail to the bar. Bear in mind you can solely substitute a help bracket with a flange if the flange is mounted to a stable backing.
Step 6: Safe Tubing To Brackets
Safe the free tubing to the brackets with set screws. We’re all about comfort right here at KegWorks, so while you purchase foot rail elements from us, the set screws that include them are self-drilling/self-tapping. For added comfort, you might wish to pre-drill any vital holes for set screws earlier than mounting brackets to the bar, relying on the quantity of room it’s a must to work with.
Step 7: Set up Elbows
When you’re putting in your rail round a nook, you will want to connect the elbow to the put in foot rail securely. Then, connect the second loosely assembled foot rail part to the elbow.
Step 8: Connect Finish Caps
Bar foot rail finish caps are designed to suit loosely to permit room for error through the manufacturing course of. To connect bar foot rail endcaps, merely slide the top cap into the top of the tubing. We suggest coating the within of the top of your tubing with an adhesive, akin to Loctite Pink or JB Weld SuperWeld, earlier than inserting the top caps for a everlasting bond. You may also wrap the stem of the top cap with masking tape or electrical tape a number of instances earlier than sliding it into the tubing for a comfortable match.
And there you will have it! Your bar now has a cultured and comfy foot rail put in so that you can take pleasure in. Now, take a step again, pour your self a drink, and admire your handiwork!
Sustaining Your Bar Foot Rail
Relying on the kind of steel and end, there are other ways to take care of and clear your foot rail. Utilizing improper cleansing strategies or merchandise might harm the end. To maintain your bar rail wanting pretty much as good because it did when first put in, learn our cleansing and sustaining bar rail for correct cleansing strategies for each sort of bar rail end.
