L-type elbows

About railing elbows

An elbow is a connector that changes the direction of a railing tube, profile or rod – unlike a connector, which joins two runs in line or in a branch.

In the Strofix catalogue these products are named both flush elbows and adjustable elbows; both sit in this category.

The range covers three size groups: Ø42.4 mm tube, 40x40 mm profile, and Ø10 or Ø12 mm crossbar rods.

Fixed elbows are 90° and 135°. Adjustable elbows let the angle be set on site – the range covers 0–70°, 90–180° and a wide-range model.

The choice depends on the profile, whether the angle is known in advance, and whether the elbow will be glued in or welded.

How to choose a railing elbow

1. Profile: tube, square profile or rod

Ø42.4 mm tube has the widest range – weld-on, flush, round and rounded elbows.

40x40 mm square profile has a fixed 90° and an adjustable version. Ø10 and Ø12 mm rods have their own small elbows and bendable versions.

2. Fixed or adjustable angle

A fixed 90° or 135° elbow is stiffer, cheaper and visually cleaner. Choose it when the angle is known at design stage.

An adjustable elbow lets the angle be set on site. It is needed for stair balustrades, where the real flight pitch differs from the drawing, and on irregular terrace plans.

The 0–70° elbow covers shallow and acute angles – typical stair pitches of 20–45° fall inside it. The 90–180° elbow covers obtuse corners, from a right angle to a straight line. The wide-range model, marked 360°, is the tallest at H 47 mm.

3. Glued-in or weld-on

A glued-in flush elbow goes into the tube ends and is fixed with adhesive – no welding and no finish to restore on site.

A weld-on elbow is welded between two tube ends and becomes almost invisible once the seam is dressed.

4. Shape: flush, round or rounded

The flush elbow makes a sharp transition. Round and rounded elbows make a soft, flowing transition that is more comfortable to the hand and more usual on a handrail.

If the elbow sits at hand height, choose the rounded one – a sharp transition on a handrail is both uncomfortable and conspicuous.

5. Steel grade and finish

The range is mainly AISI 304; some tube elbows are also available in AISI 316 for coastal sites and pool surrounds.

Finishes are satin, polished or raw. Raw suits the weld-on versions, since the finish has to be restored after the seam is dressed anyway.