How to Add a Handrail to Stairs
A handrail can be added to most staircases as a way to provide support and stability when going up and down a set of stairs. Handrails are a requirement for many building codes and should be installed at a certain height, according to This Old House. Stair handrails are available in several different stylish and functional designs including straight handrails, bending handrails, returned end handrails, quarter turn handrails and 45-degree mitered handrails. Oak handrails are typically installed on interior stairs because they're durable and can be stained or painted. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wooden handrail
- Mounting brackets
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter's level
- Pencil
- Chalk line reel
- Electronic stud finder
- Drill
- Miter saw
- Wood glue
- Nails
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Measure the length of your staircase starting at the nosing of the top landing and stopping at the bottom of the stairs. Use this measurement to determine the length of the stair handrail.
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2
Select a wooden stair handrail that meets your needs. This Old House and Popular Mechanics both recommend using a handrail made of oak.
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3
Place a 4-foot level on the bottom step, holding it plumb against the wall. Use a pencil to mark on the level where the level meets the top of the second step.
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4
Calculate the height of the stair handrail and the mounting brackets, and use a pencil to mark the bracket height on the level, according to This Old House.
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5
Place the level on the bottom step. Using the markings you made on the level as a guide, use a pencil to mark the bracket height on the wall. Repeat this process at the top of the staircase as well.
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6
Snap a chalk line to connect the markings at the top and bottom of the staircase.
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7
Mark the wall studs located at the bottom, middle and top of the staircase using an electronic stud finder.
Installation
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8
Use a 7/64-inch diameter drill bit to drill screw pilot holes into the studs on the chalk line you created. Screw the mounting brackets into each of the wall studs using the drill.
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9
Use a miter saw to cut the handrail to length, and cut the miter on the handrail to 45 degrees.
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10
Secure a mitered return to each end of the handrail by using wood glue and nails.
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11
Paint, stain or vanish your new stair handrail.
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12
Allow the stair handrail to dry completely, and screw the handrail to the mounting brackets on the wall.
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1
References
- Photo Credit detail of a stairs handle image by enens from Fotolia.com
