How to Make an Indoor Railing
Indoor railing is typically installed to use when going up and down a staircase. Railing can be installed on the inside or the outside of your staircase. You can purchase a pre-made piece of railing from your local home improvement store or you can make one using a wood pole. However, the wood pole needs to be properly attached to the wall at a specific height. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2-inch wood pole
- Tape measure
- Brackets
- Framing square
- Pencil
- Chalk line
- Stud finder
- Power drill
- Screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Measure the diagonal thickness of the stair rail with the tape measure. The diagonal thickness is needed because the stair rail is going to be parallel with the stairs.
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2
Place the bracket in the corner of the framing square. Read the measurement on the framing square to find the height of the bracket.
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3
Add the measurements from Steps 1 and 2 together. Subtract the result from 32, which is the height of the stair rail. This is the height of the bracket.
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4
Measure up from the end of the step, which is called the nose, to the height of the bracket. Make a mark on the wall with the pencil. Repeat this Step from the last step on the top of the stairs.
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5
Run a chalk line from one mark to the other. Snap the chalk line to make a mark on the wall. Locate the studs in the wall with the stud finder and make a mark on the wall.
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6
Place a bracket on the wall and mark the location of the mounting screw. Drill a pilot hole into the wall with the power drill. Repeat this step for the remaining brackets.
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7
Align the brackets with the pilot holes and secure them to the wall with the screwdriver or by using the power drill.
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8
Measure the length of the wall with the tape measure. Transfer the measurement to the wood pole and cut it to the required length with the circular saw.
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9
Place the wood pole on top of the brackets. Drive a screw into the mounting holes on the underside of the brackets and into the stair rail.
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Tips & Warnings
A wood flag pole can be used for a stair rail.
Most local building codes require a railing to be 32 to 34 inches above the stair steps.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
