How to Install Stair Railings in a Quad Level Home

Materials and Tools Needed

• Before beginning any do-it-yourself home project, gather the materials and tools you will be using so you have them at your fingertips.
  Use a stud finder to locate studs in the wall, and find your miter saw and drill. The stair railing will be secured with a hammer and metal stairway brackets, 1 1/2-inch No. 10 steel screws and metal toggle anchors. Low-tack masking tape is used for marking the location of the studs and for marking the height of the railing. Epoxy glue is used to connect the sections of the railing, and finish nails connect the return section to the main part of the railing.

Building Code Requirements

• Local building codes vary, so it is important to find out what safety requirements are in place in your particular area. Code might dictate stair rail elements such as clearance from the wall, handrail width, materials and construction. A stair rail is generally between 34 and 38 inches above the stairs and offers 1 1/2 inches of clearance from the wall. The stair rail should be no thicker than 2 5/8 inches thick to provide a good grip.

Mitering and Joining Sections of the Stair Rail

• For a perfect fit, sections of the stair railing are mitered using a miter saw. One end of the stair rail is mitered with a 45-degree cut before it is measured against the stairs for length. Other sections of the stair rail are cut at a 16-degree miter, and epoxy glue is used to attach the sections to each other. The two ends of the stair rail sections are held together by hand for a minute, and then allow 24 hours for the epoxy to become fully hardened. The short returns connecting the ends of the stair rail to the wall are pre-drilled with 1/16-holes and tacked with finishing nails.

Attaching the Stair Rail to the Wall

• A stair rail should be anchored securely to the wall by attaching it to the studs inside of the wall. A stud finder is used to locate the studs in the wall and low-tack masking tape used to mark the studs is easily removed and will not disturb the paint. The studs are marked approximately 36 inches above the stairs to position the stair rail and masking tape is also placed on the wall to indicate the top and the bottom position of the stair rail. Brackets are used to mount the stair rail.