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Stair Railings – DIY Guide
Stair railings can be a beautiful aesthetic touch to any home and its décor. Many people choose to go with just a contractor’s standard railing that can be bland and lifeless. Instead, consider a new, special railing that goes further in highlighting your home’s style. And, instead of paying hefty contractor’s fees to install such a railing, it is possible to do-it-yourself with this handy guide. Just follow these simple steps to have an elegant stairwell in your home.
- One of the easiest ways to get started in putting in your own stair railing is with a stair railing installation kit. These can easily be purchased online and will provide you with all of the tools you need to complete the job. Also, once you purchase the appropriate kit, you will have everything in the appropriate dimensions for this undertaking.
- Obviously, once you are ready to begin installing your stair rail, the first thing that you want to do is remove the old railing. Take down the screws that hold the rail to the newel posts and balusters. Once these are taken down, you can then remove the old posts and balusters so that you can have a clean start.
- The first step to the actual installation process is putting in the newel posts and then the spindles, or the support pillars that are placed under the railing. You can use the provided tools that come with the stair kit to do this and even use the old bolt and nail holes to keep from scarring up the woodwork too much.
- Once you have the newel posts and spindles in place, place the new railing itself in position. This will move at a diagonal angle from the bottom to the stop of the staircase three feet above each step and will be drilled into the spindles of the staircase. You will need to drill all the way into the spindle, so you will need a drill with a long bit for such a job. You will also need long screws that can reach through the rail and into the spindles. Once you have completed this, a little wood glue poured directly into the holes that you’ve drilled will finish this job.
Don’t expect this type of an installation to take just an hour or two. This is slow, deliberate work that, if done right, will take the better part of a weekend day. But it is work that will pay off with an attractive staircase that will add beauty to your stairway and your home.
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