How to Build a Banister on a Small Porch

Measure the distance between the porch’s posts. If the porch does not have posts, hold posts at the corners of the porch and trace around the base of the posts. Drill holes in the corners of the tracings, then cut the porch along the lines you traced, using a jigsaw. Insert the posts in the holes you cut, then drill holes through the sides of the porch and into the bottom of the posts. Insert bolts through the porch and posts, then tighten nuts onto the ends of the bolts, from the underside of the porch.

Transfer the measurements you took onto the wood rails, then cut them to fit. Use two rails per measurement you took, since one will sit on the top and one on the bottom.

Measure balusters for the railing, marking each baluster at 36 inches, then cut the balusters at the mark. Lay the bottom rail and the balusters on a flat surface, positioning the balusters 4 inches apart from each other.

Drill pilot holes through the bottom rail and into the balusters. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the rail and into the balusters, using the pilot holes as guides.

Stand the rail and balusters so the open ends of the balusters point upward. Place the top rail on the balusters, lining up the ends of the rail with the ends of the bottom rail. Drive two finishing nails through the rail and into each of the balusters.

Position the assembled railing between the porch’s posts, placing wood blocks that measure 2 inches tall under the bottom rail. Place a level on top of the railing, making sure it sits level, and place shims under the wood blocks until it does.

Drill angled pilot holes through the bottom and top rails and into the posts. Drive wood screws through the pilot holes, anchoring the rails to the posts. Slide the wood blocks out from under the bottom rail.