How to Build Handrails for Steps?

We all know how dangerous it is to go up and down stairs without a handrail. It’s difficult to keep your balance, leading to nasty falls that could be avoided if there was something for you to hold onto! This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about building handrails for steps. You’ll learn about the different types of material that can be used, as well as safety measures to practice when building handrails.

Handrails are important and serve as safety features for any steps that don’t have a wall to hold onto. While attaching railings directly below the stairs is common practice, you can also install them on each side of your staircase (or both), depending on preference and space limitations.

There are two main types of materials used to create handrails: wood and metal. Wood is a good option if you want something that’s both sturdy and easy to work with. It doesn’t require much maintenance, either. However, it might not fit well with your home décor, depending on the color or finish you choose (unless you plan to paint it).

Metal handrails are typically made of stainless steel for maximum durability. Stainless steel is rust and corrosion-resistant, making it a smart choice if you live in an area with high humidity levels. A bonus of using stainless steel for handrails is that it’s not susceptible to mold and mildew, either. Whichever material you choose; these are just two options among many for materials used for building handrails.

Steps to Building Handrails

You can build handrails in the following simple steps:

1. Determine your handrail’s height based on the step where it will be installed.
2. If you’re attaching a wall to the outside of your steps, use metal brackets for mounting. Otherwise, attach wooden blocks directly into the side of each step using screws and galvanized decking screws. Don’t forget that you’ll need to ensure that each block is screwed down properly if you don’t want your handrail to come loose.
3. Measure the distance between each step’s side and cut both pieces of wood for one rail using a miter saw. Remember that if you choose a different material, then this may result in slightly different measurements.
4. Use either glue or nails at each joint where two wooden rails intersect.
5. Screw each rail to the side of one step. Then, attach any additional rails as needed. Finally, use a few screws through your post into these rails, and you should have an easy way up and down your steps without risking falling or injury.
6. Be sure that every joint is screwed tightly in place if you don’t want it to accidentally come loose. This is very important and shouldn’t be overlooked.

If you used wood for the handrails, ensure you apply varnish to help protect the wood from moisture and mildew. You can also have a professional test the rails to see if they are safe enough to use.