Do-It-Yourself Handrail

Measure the length of the stairway from the outside edge of the bottom stair to the top of the stairs with a tape measure.

Measure the hardwood dowel the same length. Cut the dowel to length with a miter saw. Lay the dowel lengthwise against the table and fence of the saw and saw through it to complete the cut.

Sand the end of the dowel where you cut it with the miter saw using a fine-grit sanding pad. Always sand in the same direction as the wood grain to avoid scratching the wood.

Apply an even coat of wood finish to the hardwood dowel using a paintbrush. Brush the finish on in the same direction as the wood grain. Allow at least four hours between coats if you apply more than one coat. Wait 24 hours after the last coat before handling.

Measure up the distance from each stair tread to the height that you want to position the handrail along the wall. Mark the measurement onto the wall at each stair tread.

Connect the measurement marks on the wall by drawing a chalk line with the help of another person. Snap the line in the center to transfer the line onto the wall. This line will help you position the brackets correctly along the stairway.

Slide a stud finder along the wall following the chalk line all the way up the stairway, starting at the bottom. Using a pencil, mark the location on the wall of each stud as indicated by the stud finder.

Position one mounting bracket at each pencil mark on the wall where a stud was located. Using a screw gun, fasten the brackets to the wall by driving the screws that came with the brackets into the wall.

Center the hardwood dowel along the stairway and on top of the mounting brackets. Fasten the dowel to the brackets using a screw gun. Drive the provided screws through the holes in the brackets into the bottom side of the dowel.