How to Construct a Railing With No Walls to Anchor It

Measure

• 1

  Measure from the front of your landing to the house. Take measurements on each side of the landing.

• 2

  Place a spirit level on the landing. Place a shim under the level, if the level does not lie perfectly even on the concrete. Adjust the shim until the bubble in the vial is between the two lines. Measure the gap between the concrete and the level to obtain the slope of the landing.

• 3

  Hold the level vertically against the last step so that the level reads plumb. Measure from the level to the front of the landing. Hold the level horizontally on top of the landing. Let the level extend past the last step. Measure between the last tread and the level.

• 4

  Send all of the measurements to your railing fabricator and await delivery.

Railing

• 5

  Set one railing in position on the step. Place the base plate of the end post close to the edge of the last step. Keep the base plate at least 1 1/2 inches away from the front and edge of the step.

• 6

  Have a helper hold the railing steady. Measure between the base plate and the edge of the step. Ensure that the base plates on the front and rear of the landing are the same distance from the edge.

• 7

  Have your helper hold the railing steady. Drill 1/2-inch starter holes into the base plate at the bottom of the steps with a hammer drill. Repeat for the base plates at the front and rear of the landing.

• 8

  Remove the railing from the steps. Drill all of the holes to a depth of 2 1/2 inches. Blow away all of the concrete dust with a can of compressed air.

Anchors

• 9

  Tap a 3/8 inch-by-1 7/8 inch sleeve anchor into each hole of the bottom post with a hammer. Remove the nuts from the anchor and place the railing in position. Ensure that the sleeve anchors fit into the holes in the base plates.

• 10

  Set the nuts back on the anchors and tighten with a wrench. Check for plumb with a level. Achieve level by loosening the nuts and placing a washer under a nut on the leaning side. Tighten the nuts again when you reach level.

• 11

  Anchor the front and back landing posts as you did the bottom post.

• 12

  Cut off the bolts flush with the nuts with a hacksaw. Remove the nuts. Twist on 5/16-inch cap nuts, which are decorative nuts with a rounded top. Tighten the cap nuts.

• 13

  Install the railing on the other side of the steps the same way you did the first one.