Installation of Stair Railings

Determine Handrail Location

• 1

  Place the end of a 4-foot level on the first stair, pressed against the tread of the second stair. Mark the level at the top of the stair tread with the marker.

• 2

  Measure how high the railing is to be above the stairs from this mark and mark this measurement on the level.

• 3

  Measure the depth of the railing diagonally at the angle the railing will be mounted and add the height of the bracket to the bottom screw hole. Subtract this measurement from the height of the handrail to determine where the bottom screw will be mounted. Mark this on the level as well.

• 4

  Place the level back on the first stair against the tread of the second stair and mark the location of the bottom screw on the wall with a pencil. Mark the wall at the top of the stairs as well.

• 5

  Snap a chalk line between these two markings. This line shows where the bottom screw for any bracket should be placed.

Mounting the Brackets

• 6

  Use the electric stud finder or tap on the wall to determine the location of studs at the top, bottom and middle of the chalk line. Mark the center of the stud on the chalk line with a pencil.

• 7

  Drill a pilot hole at the marks on the wall with the 7/64 inch bit. Mount a screw in the bottom hole in the bracket through the pilot hole in the wall.

• 8

  Drill pilot holes through the other screw holes in the bracket and mount screws in them. Repeat for the other two brackets.

Finish and Install the Handrail

• 9

  Place the handrail on the stairs and mark the length it needs to be. Make sure that the rail is centered in the stairway.

• 10

  Set the miter saw to 45-degrees and cut a 3 1/2-inch piece from each end of the handrail. Cut one end with the saw swung to the right and the other end with the saw cut to the left. Keep these pieces to make the return for the handrail.

• 11

  Cut each end of the handrail to 45 degrees in the opposite direction that it was previously cut. Make sure that the cuts will trim the handrail to its proper length.

• 12

  Attach the 3 1/2-inch pieces of handrail to the ends of the rail with wood glue, making 90-degree corners on the ends. Drill two pilot holes on each end and hammer in finish nails.

• 13

  Sand the handrail and finish it with varnish, stain or paint.

• 14

  Place the handrail on the brackets and make sure that it is centered in the stairwell. Mount the handrail using the collars and screws that came with the brackets.