How to Build a Wooden Banister

The First Post

• 1

  Measure the space along the edge of the balcony, porch or deck using a tape measure and mark the positions for the two newel posts at either end, typically two to three inches back from the edge.

• 2

  Fit L brackets to each face of the newel posts at their bottom end. Drive one 1-inch wood screw through each hole in each bracket, so that the corner of the L is even with the bottom of the post.

• 3

  Measure up from the bottom of the post and install an L bracket 4 inches up, centered in the face of the post that will be facing the opposite post. Attach the bracket using 1-inch screws as you did in Step 2. Do this for both posts.

• 4

  Stand the first newel post in position, aligned to the edge of the porch or deck. Drive one screw down through each hole in the L brackets into the floor to anchor it in place.

Adding Rails

• 5

  Measure from the inside face of this post, to the inside position of the second post. Measure your top and bottom rails and subtract the distance between posts from the length of the rails. Cut 1/2 of this distance from each end of the top and bottom rails, so that the spindles will be centered between the newel posts.

• 6

  Lay the top and bottom rails on saw horses, parallel to each other about 32 inches apart. Fit the square end of a prefabricated spindle into the first square pocket on the bottom rail. Drive a 3 inch treated deck screw through the bottom rail into the end of the spindle. Repeat this process with every spindle, attaching it to the bottom rail.

• 7

  Fit the top rail onto the tops of the spindles and drive a second screw down through the top rail into the end of each spindle. Stand the banister section up and fit it to the first post, so that the bracket you installed fits into the top of the bottom rail. Drive a screw through each hole into the bottom rail.

• 8

  Fit the second post to the opposite end of the rail and attach it in the same way. Adjust the post's position and drive one screw down through the L brackets into the floor. Add L brackets to connect the top rail as you did the bottom.