Handrailing in a stairwell is a safety measure.
A handrail is a bar that is attached 34 to 38 inches high adjacent to any path or stair where additional support is helpful. Often a staircase will have both a decorative handrail system with carved balustrades or spindles attached to a newel post and a simple handrail mounted at the same height along the inner wall. The simple wall mounted handrail can easily be installed from stock parts. The handrail system frequently involves custom parts and more advanced carpentry skills. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the length of your wall where you want to install the hand railing. Have your home improvement store cut your railing to length; they generally charge by the foot.
2. Sand the ends of your hand railing to make the ends smooth. A belt sander works well for this.
3. Measure 36 inches from the top of the first step down on your staircase. Measure 4 feet from that mark. Measure 36 inches from the bottom step. Snap a chalk line between your marks. You need to install a bracket every 4 feet or less evenly spaced along your line.
4. Move a stud finder along the line and mark your stud locations. When possible, screw into studs.
5. Screw the wall portion of your handrail bracket into the wall at studs along your line. Attach your top and bottom brackets. Position your handrail over your two brackets and attach the rail to the brackets with two screws and the underside-mounted U-shaped bracket.
6. Locate and screw in your remaining brackets based on stud location and safe spacing. The railing will make it easier to mount the remaining brackets snug against the rail.
7. Wipe a stain on the handrail and allow that to dry. Paint a sealer or finish on with a paintbrush and allow to dry overnight.
Tags: along your, along your line, hand railing, handrail system, inches from
