To replace stair railing, start by finding and marking studs. So instead we'll show you a simple method to join the two with fast-setting epoxy. Not only does Fortin Ironworks manufacture Iron X Handrails but we also install them. In addition to the stair railing, you’ll need wall mounted handrail brackets, a package of two-part, 90-second epoxy, and about 4 ft. of 2×4. Test the fit of the rail joint. Install the top and bottom brackets first and mount the rail to them. Check the local building codes for height requirements of a handrail. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. 2. They should have a handrail on both sides if they are wider. With this in mind, on the bottom step, use a spirit level and tape measure and mark the desired height on the wall where you will eventually want to install the handrail. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you shift the bracket, make sure to adjust the handrail height to keep the top aligned with the mark. When you find a stud, mark it with a strip of masking tape. and 37 in. You'll test the fit. Buy enough brackets to install two at the top, one at the bottom and one every 48 in. Handrail installation cost. How to emble and install a staircase reconfiguring basement stairs w o indoor railing ideas built using metal handrail between two uneven walls do wooden handrail on split level stairs. How To Install A Handrail On Basement Stairs. Cut the opposite 16-degree angle on the remaining rail piece. They eliminate the possibility that loose clothing or a purse strap could get hung up and cause a fall. I should start this tutorial off by saying I’m in no way an expert in handrail installation. above the front edge of the stair nosings. 7. I am going to install a short hand rail at the top 2-3 stairs on the right, but then will have to install a much longer hand rail on the left side that will go right into the concrete. Don't be one of those guys! Use a miter box to do so and follow the instructions that apply to the brand that you choose. Whether you are mounting to the wall or to ground, be sure that the area is cleaned so that it can receive the base flange or railing bracket without obstruction. Jun 10, 2014 - This guide will show you how to mount a wood rosette and handrail into a wall. Drill 1/8-in. Then use a stud finder to verify the locations. A staircase with a half wall instead of typical rail and baluster setup. While this isn’t always possible, it allows you to grasp the stair railing sooner and hold onto the stair handrail longer to maintain good balance. It is possible to knock gently on an wall and listen for the hollow points as you move horizontally. The shallow angle makes it difficult to join the short and long stair railing sections with nails or screws. to avoid getting your fingers too close to the blade. Check out these 100 home improvement hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner. If your stairs are enclosed by a wall on both sides, then you will need at least one wall mounted handrail fitted and it does not matter which side the handrail is fitted to. above the stairs. Overnight would be better, since the epoxy doesn't approach maximum strength for at least 24 hours. Once the rail is complete, you can take it off to paint or finish it by simply removing the screws from the U-shaped brackets. Cut them from longer pieces (at least 12 in.) This article has been viewed 33,532 times. You’ll find code-approved handrail and the other materials you’ll need at lumberyards and home centers. STEP 1: Measure the run of the staircase. Tools Required Drill & Drill Bit Construction Adhesive Step 1 – Assuming your home is framed correctly, there should be [… Using electronic stud finder, mark wall studs at top, middle and bottom of staircase. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Don't worry if you lose a little length on the rail. After the wall was cut down, I used that top 2×4 as the base cap for the now opened wall. O.K:smileyhappy: Start off your project by inspecting the wall and assuring there is … Set your power miter saw to cut a 16-degree angle and saw the rail at the mark. Finally, sight down the stair railing and straighten it before adding the intermediate brackets. Using a high speed screw gun, run the supplied self-drilling screws through the wall bracket into the bottom of the handrail. We’ve installed the handrails on a variety of stair materials. Locate wall studs with a stud finder and mark them along the chalk line. 6. … Cut 2x4s on edge at the same angle as the rail and join them with screws driven at an angle. Pine and poplar rails cost less. This article has been viewed 33,532 times. Our safety walls are easy to install and can be matched to the color and style of your home, blending the safety walls right into the decor. 8. Use a stud finder to locate the center of each stud in the wall where you are installing the handrail. With 90-second epoxy, you'll be able to hand-hold the joint together long enough for the epoxy to grab. Connect the marks with a chalk line (Image 1). Measure and mark the wall at the bottom and top of the stairs. These should not coincide with the holes that you drilled for the mounting strip. To meet building code requirements, the stair railing should be mounted so that the top of the handrail height is 34 to 38 in. Screw them into place to ensure that they remain sturdy. How can I install a handrail for the stairs if I can’t find any studs in the wall? We attached the returns with wood glue and 4d finish nails, but you could also use the remaining 90-second epoxy. 11. The design we chose to replace stair railings lightly exceeds the building codes in many regions. Contact your local building department for the codes that govern the installation of banisters. Contact your local building department for the codes that govern the installation of banisters. Test the fit of the rail joint. This is an important step because the rail brackets must be centered on the stud or one of the two top screws will miss the framing. Do the same at the bottom tread. Place the handrail onto the wall brackets. Clean Mounting Surface. Probe the wall with a finish nail to locate the exact center of the stud. Cut handrail to length, mitering the ends to 45 degrees. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall the railing will be mounted to. With the rail resting on the front of the stair treads, mark where the rail contacts the top stair nosing. on center, so once you find one, you can try measuring horizontally to locate the next one. I have brackets that will securely attache the handrail to the walls (they are 2X4's) on each end. Since the rail runs parallel to the stairs, you can use the stair noses as a guide for cutting the rail to the right length and figuring the top angle. Do this at the studs closest to the top and bottom of the rail. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. You may have to patch a few nail holes, but this beats having a bracket pull loose. Make it long enough to extend a few inches past the next stud so you can add a wall-mounted handrail bracket under it. Then mark all three screw holes. Mark the hole location of the two mounting brackets. By using our site, you agree to our. We extended the stair railing beyond both the top and the bottom steps. Then support the rail sections with the 2x4s as you press and hold the joint together. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. These should have either come with your banister or be available at a hardware or home improvement store. With the stair railing mounted, it's easy to measure for and install the short pieces that return to the wall at the top and bottom of the rail. Using a three inch wood screw, screw the handrail to the rosette and follow through to the stud behind the drywall. Last Updated: December 3, 2019 You need a helper or two to hold the railing in place with the brackets attached to the railing. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Plumb up from the front edge of the top stair nosing and stick a piece of tape to the wall. How to install handrail & stair balustrade systems perfectly. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Make the hole just large enough to slip the post through. Locate the exact center of the studs. Miter the ends of the banister. This guide gives general instructions so please use your own discretion as far as measurements, angles and tool choice. Snap the line to create a straight line on the wall along the stairway. Instead, simply return it to the wall. A typical 25-foot handrail costs an average of $900 to install, depending on the material used. Recess the nails with a nail set. The following is a guide on how to install a banister. 9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Install-a-Banister-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Banister-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Install-a-Banister-Step-1.jpg\/aid1382115-v4-728px-Install-a-Banister-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"