How to Build Railings on Knee Walls

Knee walls, also known as half-walls or partial walls, are installed between the rafters in an attic and the ground. Typically under 3 feet tall, these walls are common in old houses, covering up what was felt to be wasted space and sometimes incorporating storage such as drawers, cupboards or crawlspaces. As these walls are sometimes placed next to stairways, it may be necessary to install railings against these knee walls. Knee walls typically contain studs just like larger walls, so the installation process is quite similar to railing installation on standard walls.

Stud finder
Railing
Railing attachment brackets
Drill
Wood drill bits
Wood screws, 3-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Fine and clearly mark the locations of the studs within the knee wall and the adjacent walls. Mark the stud edges so that you have a clear picture of the installation area that the brackets can be attached to.
- 2
  Slide the railing brackets over the railing and hold the railing up against the knee wall at the desired angle. Position a railing bracket over each stud, keeping the railing in place. Mark each bracket attachment screw hole on the wall and lower the railing to the floor.
- 3
  Drill into the wall at each marking using a drill bit that is the same length as the wood screws and has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the wood screws. Contact the wall stud with each screw or redrill the hole until a reliable contact has been made.
- 4
  Hold the railing up against the wall again and line the brackets up with the drilled holes. Pass a 3-inch wood screw, or the attachment screws provided with the railing brackets, through the bracket and into the hole in the wall. Tighten each screw halfway. Check the alignment of the railing after each screw has been partially installed and make any necessary adjustments. Finish tightening all the screws in place.

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