How to Build Hand Rails for Steps

Wall Handrail

Handrails are an important part of the stairway construction. If you have ever climbed a flight of stairs without one, you know your hand will instinctively reach out to grab it for support. Even worse is when you trip while coming down a flight of stairs, and your arms flail out to grab a handrail and find nothing. Handrails are simple to install, as you will find here.

Things You'll Need

• 8-foot handrail (cut to size) 4 bracket kits for handrail Measuring tape Level Pencil Chalk line Electric drill 7/64 drill bit

Instructions

1. Determine the length of your handrail by measuring the trim at the floor below the handrail. Start at the bottom edge and go all the way up to the top of the stairs. This will be the measurement you will need for the handrail. Now cut the handrail with a 45-degree angle at the top and at the bottom with parallel cuts.

2. Measure the height of the handrail by going from the lip of the stairs straight up 26 inches and making a pencil mark on the wall, at the top and bottom of the stairs. Use a level for this so you keep everything balanced and straight. The Building Code states that the stair handrails need to be between 32 and 34 inches up from the stairs. We subtracted 6 inches off for the width of the rail and the height of the bracket. When the rail is installed it should be 32 inches from the stairs.

3. Mark a chalk line by having one person stand at the top of the stairs with their end of the chalk line on the top pencil mark and a person at the bottom of the stairs with their end on the bottom pencil mark. Hold the line taut and snap it against the wall. You should have a line running parallel with the stair trim.

4. Find the wall supports at the top and bottom of the stairs with a stud finder or with a small thin nail. If the nail just slides through the plaster, you missed the stud. Place the two middle supports in equal distances from the center. You must attach the handrail to the wood supports or it will pull out from the plaster in a matter of time. Drill three pilot holes in each of the four positions, using the bracket as a template.

5. Screw the brackets into the wall and then screw the handrail in place. Clean off the chalk line with a rag and a little all-purpose cleaner. You now have a strong handrail for a safe staircase.

Tips & Warnings

• Large hardware stores will cut your wood for you for free or for a nominal charge if you don't have a saw. Use fewer brackets for shorter handrails

Resources

• This Old House Video: How to Install a Handrail