Installing Wooden Hand Railings

By Home & Garden Last updated Sunday, June/16/2024

Preparation

1). Hold the wooden handrail together with the bracket. Measure and note the distance from the bottom hole of the bracket to the top of the rail.
2). Hold a level plumb against the wall on the nose of the bottom step. Measure in a straight line from the bottom of the level to the height at which you will set the stair rail. Subtract the amount for the measurement you took in Step 1. Mark this height on the wall in pencil.
3). Go to the top step and repeat the measuring process from Step 2. If you will install a middle bracket, measure and mark for it at the midpoint of the stairway.
4). Hold one end of the chalk line against the mark for the top of the railing. Have a partner to hold the other end against the bottom mark. Snap the chalk line against the wall to mark the line for the handrail.
5). Locate the stud closest to the bottom mark, using a stud finder as the most reliable method. Mark the place where the stud meets the chalk line with an "X." Repeat this process for other brackets.

1). Drill a pilot hole centered on the "X" mark for each bracket, using a 7/64-inch bit. Attach the bracket to the wall with a screw through the bottom hole. Drill pilot holes for the two holes at the top of the bracket and secure with screws.
2). Measure for the length of the handrail so that it extends 4 inches beyond the top and bottom steps.
3). Miter-cut the ends of the stair rail at 45-degree angles with a miter saw.
4). Make a return by taking the small piece of wood left from the first miter cut by placing it at the opposite end of the handrail. They will join at the 45-degree angles that were cut, to make a right angle that meets the wall. Repeat for the second cut.
5). Hold the two pieces together at a right angle to the handrail. The end of this return will sit flush against the wall. Secure the returns to the handrail with epoxy or wood glue. Drive finishing nails into the ends of the pieces.
6). Set the handrail on the brackets. Drill pilot holes into the handrail to meet the mountings holes on the brackets. Secure the handrail with screws.