How to Build a Wooden Handicap Handrail

Determine the length of your handrail by measuring the space on the wall where you want it to go. With this area marked, check for studs with an electronic stud finder, or knock on the wall -- hollow areas make a lighter, echoing sound, while studs make a solid sound. Count how many studs are available across the space you have designated for your railing. Mark the studs with a pencil.

Buy a wooden rail at the lumber or hardware store. Look for one that is between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 inch thick, as this is the diameter recommended by the ADA. Have the store cut the rail to size. While the ADA does not require a particular shape for your railing (like round or oval), it does require that it be strong. Your rail must be able to withstand over 250 pounds of stress, so choose a strong wood -- instead of simply buying a wood rod, buy a rail that is designed for use as a handrail or a stairway rail.

Invest in wall-mounting brackets for your handrail. These brackets generally come with mounting hardware, like screws. The brackets should allow for a space of 1 1/2 inches between the wall and the railing, as per ADA guidelines. Buy one bracket for each wall stud for maximum support. The ADA does not differentiate between stair rails and walkway rails -- they recommend the same height and wall distance for each.

Sand down the rail, including the edges and ends. If you wish, color the rail with wood stain and wait for it to dry before hanging.

Measure the wall to determine where to hang your railing. Rails should hang between 34 and 38 inches from the ground -- mark the wall where you need to hang your mounting brackets, making sure that they are all at the same height.

Install your mounting brackets into the wall with a drill and the included hardware.

Set the wooden railing atop the brackets and screw it in place using the hardware that came with the brackets. This is easiest if you have others hold the rail in place while you attach it.