How to Replace Stair Railing That Looks Like Deck Railing

Remove the nuts that are holding the stair railing’s posts to the staircase using a socket wrench. The nuts are located under the staircase.

Push on the ends of the bolts and then pull on the bolt heads on the exterior of the staircase.

Pull up the stair railing to remove it and the posts from the stairs. Remove the balusters as well, if necessary, by pulling out the nails on the underside of the stair treads using a small pry bar.

Measure the old stair rail’s posts, including the angle of the tops of the posts.

Cut posts to the same length and at the same angle. Cut a 2-by-4 boards to the same length as the old stair rail.

Slide the new posts through the post holes in the stair treads at the top and bottom of the stairs. Make pilot holes in the posts where the holes in the stairs line up with the posts.

Insert bolts through the pre-drilled holes and then tighten nuts onto the ends of the bolts under the stairs using a socket wrench.

Place the new stair rail onto the posts and drive nails through the rail and into the posts.

Cut more 2-by-4s using one of the old balusters for the correct height and angle. Slide the balusters onto the stair treads and under the railing.

Drive nails through the underside of the stair treads and into the bottom of the balusters, securing them in place.