DIY: Indoor Wooden Railings
Wooden railings provide safe passage up and down indoor stairways. Railings consist of a handrail and handrail mounts. Wooden railings use hardwood handrails and metal handrail mounts. Select wrought iron handrail mounts to complement the hardwood handrail. A wooden railing should be installed in every stairway for safety considerations. The handrail mounts fasten to the wall studs for secure installation to the wall leading up the stairway. Wooden handrails come in a variety of styles. Select the style that will best complement the existing woodwork in the stairway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Stud finder
- Wrought iron handrail mounts, with screws
- Screw gun
- Hardwood handrail board
- Wood stain
- Natural bristle paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Measure up 28 to 34 inches from the top of the bottom stair tread with a tape measure and mark the measurement on the wall with a pencil. Select a height that will be comfortable for the members of your household to use the railing. Measure up this same distance from the top of the top stair tread and mark the measurement on the wall.
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2
Pull a chalk line from the first measurement mark up to the second measurement mark with the help of another person. Snap the chalk line in the center to transfer the line of the railing onto the wall. Remove the chalk line.
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3
Slide a stud finder along the wall in the same path as the chalk line. Mark the location of each wall stud onto the wall with a pencil.
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4
Center a wrought iron handrail mount over each stud marking along the chalk line. Drive the screws that came with the handrail mounts through the mounting holes and into the wall studs with a screw gun to fasten them in place.
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5
Apply two even coats of wood stain onto the railing with a natural bristle paintbrush. Allow the stain to dry for at least 24 hours between coats. Wait 48 hours after the final coat before you handle the railing.
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6
Center the railing board over the handrail mounts. Drive the screws that came with the handrail mounts through the mounting holes and into the bottom of the railing board with a screw gun to secure the railing to the mounts.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint the railing board the same color as the wall or the trim color to achieve a different style.
Wear eye protection when operating power tools to prevent possible injuries.
