How to Install Railings & Balusters on a Stairway
Railings are the long runs of wood that are set at hand height to provide support while walking, while balusters are the vertical posts that hold the railing up at their given height. You can install railings and balusters anywhere that you need to make a separation between one area and another lower area, such as on stairs or on the drops between floors in a home. Once you order your custom railing and balusters you can easily install them yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Railings and balusters set
- Pneumatic nail gun
- Glue
- Power drill
- Screws
- Wood plugs
- Hammer
- Level
Instructions
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1
Set the newel posts in place and nail them in place with a pneumatic nail gun. The newel posts are the main supports at each corner and turn of the railings.
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2
Lay each of the tread pieces down between the newel posts so the rounded edge is hanging over the edge of the drop. The treads are long pieces of wood with holes drilled into them.
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3
Nail the treads in place with the nail gun using enough nails to keep the tread from moving at all.
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4
Place a small amount of glue into each of the holes in the treads. This will help hold the balusters in place.
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5
Set the dowel ends of the balusters into the glue in the treads and press them down. Make sure all of the balusters are facing in the same direction if they are not round.
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6
Set the railings on top of the balusters, making sure the top of each baluster fits inside the railing. The curved, smooth side of the railing should be upward.
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7
Drill a pilot hole through each of the newel posts where the railings touch them with a power drill.
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8
Insert a screw into each of the pilot holes and screw them in with the drill. Make sure that when you grasp the railing it doesn’t move to ensure the screws entered into the railings.
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9
Place a wood plug into each of the pilot holes and bang them in with a hammer. These plugs will cover up the heads of the screws in the newel posts.
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10
Hold a level vertically against each baluster and to check if it is straight. Tap it lightly with a hammer to adjust it until it is straight.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to your supplier about trims that go with your railings and balusters to create a more professional finish.
Use caution when working near an exposed edge as you could easily fall and hurt yourself.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
