A foot rail offers both comfort and visual enhancement to any restaurant counter or bar top. Installing a foot rail is relatively simple, provided you have properly measured and ordered the necessary components. In a previous blog post we outlined how to successfully choose the bar foot rail that is right for you and fits your decor. In this article, we will take you step-by-step through how to measure your bar or counter top for a curved bar foot rail.

In order to properly fabricate a curved bar foot rail so that it fits the desired counter shape correctly, it is necessary to obtain the inside radius of the curve of the bar or counter where it will be installed. To get this measurement, two components are needed — the size of the maximum projection of the bend of the foot rail and the width of the bar where the rail needs to span. To calculate these measurements, follow the following steps.

Measuring The Maximum Projection 
of the Foot Rail Bend

Measuring in a straight line across the entire width of the bar where you would like a single curved section of rail to be installed. Then, divide the total width by two to find the center of that area. From that center point, measure the depth of the bar top front the front of the bar to the point where the ends of the foot rail would be. This measurement is the maximum projection of the bar - the widest part of the bar where the foot rail will be bent the most.

Measuring The Length of the Bar

Measure straight across between the inside corners of the area where the bend exists. This measurement is the length of the section of bar that will have a foot rail.

If your bar has more than one curve, you will need to take measurements for the maximum projection and length for each curved section of the foot rail. For example: If you have an “S” shaped bar, you will have two sets of measurements for each of the two curved sections of foot rail. Note that each curve may not be consistent and the radius measurements may differ.

Other Measuring Options

If you are having difficulty measuring for your foot rail, or your configuration is very complex, there are other options. The first one is “tracing.” This involves tracing the inside arc of the curve of your bar on paper. Depending on the length of your bar, and the size of the paper you are using, this may require that you tape several sheets of paper together. This process may seem cumbersome, but if done carefully and correctly, it can be one of the best ways for your foot rail fabricator to get the exact shape and measurements for your bar foot rail.

Also, if your builder or architect can send you a blueprint, plan, or digital CAD file of you bar configuration, you may not need to measure at all. Simply share the plans or files with your fabricator so they can get the exact measurements of your bar or counter top.

Getting Your Curved Foot Rail Fabricated

Once the necessary measurements have been collected, send them over to your fabricator along with the specific brackets, end caps, and finishes you want your foot rail to feature. Some fabricators — such as ESP Metal Products & Crafts — have online forms and systems on their websites that make it easy to submit measurements, choose your foot rail options, and upload blueprint or CAD files.

Getting the measurements for your curved bar foot rail doesn’t have to be complicated as long as you know what steps you need to take to get the job done.