How to Cut Chair Rail Corners Up and Down Stairs

Installing chair railing up and down stairs involves cutting the ends, or corners, at an angle for a precise fit and smooth flow. Mistakes with cutting the chair rail are costly, so it is important to take the time to get the angle correct. This project requires an assistant to hold the chair rail in place so you can get accurate measurements and a perfect fit.

Ruler
Miter saw
Sandpaper
Cardboard (Optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Hold a piece of chair rail on the stairway wall so that it is parallel with the slope of the stairs. Hold a second piece of chair rail along the horizontal installation point on the wall at the bottom of the stairs.
- 2
  Overlap at least 3 inches of the stairway chair rail with the chair rail at the bottom of the stairs so there is enough edge to mark the angle.
- 3
  Make a pencil mark where the top and bottom points of each section of chair rail meet. Connect the marks with a ruler to create a straight line on each section of chair rail.
- 4
  Cut the stairway chair rail along the pencil line with a miter saw for a clean cut. Fit the slanted ends together on the wall to verify that the angle is correct for the chair rail's desired placement. Make adjustments to the angle if necessary.
- 5
  Sand the cut edge of each chair rail section lightly to smooth out the wood. Install the chair rail onto the wall.
- 6
  Repeat this process with the chair rail at the top of the stairs and any joints needed along the stairway.

How to Get a Consistent Texture on Stucco Walls

How to Close Off a Half-Wall Room Divider

Walls