Handrail installation: what you need to know first

Wall rail or balustrade rail

A wall rail is fixed to the wall with brackets and is the common addition for anyone who wants support on both sides of the stairs. A balustrade rail sits on top of the spindles on the open side and is part of the guarding that stops people falling off the side of the flight.

Replacing a balustrade rail often means looking at the newel posts and spindles too, because they work as one system.

Height and continuity

Building regulations in England set out guidance on handrail height for stairs, measured vertically from the pitch line, and most installers work to it for new work. Just as important for daily use is continuity: a rail that stops short, or has awkward gaps at landings, is the one people grab and miss.

What the rail fixes into

Brackets need to go into studs, noggins or masonry, not plasterboard on its own. In older properties we often find lath and plaster, uneven walls or hidden services, so part of the job is locating solid fixing points and checking for cables and pipes before drilling.

• Masonry walls: plugged fixings into the brick or block.
• Stud walls: into the studs, or new noggins added behind.
• Uneven walls: packing so the rail runs straight even if the wall does not.

Materials and shapes

Softwood rails are painted; hardwoods such as oak are usually oiled or lacquered. Shape matters for grip. A mopstick or rounded profile is easy to hold, while a wide flat rail looks good but is harder to grip firmly.

Rail ends can be returned to the wall so sleeves and bag straps do not catch on them.

Landings, turns and winders

Straight flights are simple. Staircases that turn at a quarter landing or use winder treads need more thought, because the rail has to follow the change in direction smoothly. That can mean bending brackets, jointing the rail at an angle, or using a handrail with purpose made fittings for turns. A continuous rail around a corner is much safer than two separate rails with a gap where the stair changes direction.

Finishing touches

Once fixed, the rail is sanded and finished to match the rest of the joinery. Painted rails are best filled and painted in place; oak can be oiled for a warm, natural look. Bracket finishes, such as chrome, brushed steel or black, should suit the other ironmongery in the hall.

Questions we're asked about this