How to fit a wall-mounted handrail

2

Using a tape measure and spirit level, measure from the edge of the tread (the horizontal part of the stairs that the user walks on) on your bottom step upwards to 5cm less than your desired height (this allows 5cm for the thickness of the handrail). Next to this height, make a small mark with a pencil.

3

Repeat step 2 for the edge of the tread on the top step.

4

Repeat step 2 on every few steps (ensure your marks are no more than 50cm apart).

5

Using a straight edge and pencil, join up all the points so you are left with a straight line.

6

Measure the line. If it is not the same length of your handrail extend your pencil line, so it is the correct length. Do this by adding half of the remaining length to the bottom of the line and half the remaining length to the top of the line. Please note this will be dependent on it you have the room on your wall.

7

Depending on if your handrail has fixed brackets or separate brackets you fix yourself at your chosen distances.  
a. If your handrail has fixed brackets (for un fixed brackets go to b).
. Measure the distances along the rail your first bracket is.
. Measure this same distance along the pencil line, and make a mark at this point.
. Using a straight edge and a level, mark at intersecting vertical line at this point. 
. Repeat this process for each of your fixed brackets.
. Now go to number 8.

b

. If your brackets are not fixed and you can choose where to put them on your handrail.
. Place a straight edge and level against the front of the second step and mark a vertical pencil line intersecting the handrail line.
. Repeat the last step on the last but one step. You now have the position of your top and bottom bracket.

Measure the distance between these two bracket marks.

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. Divide the distance between the two marks by the number of brackets you have left (remember you have already accounted for the position of 2) + 1 (so if you have 4 brackets left divide the distance by 5).
. The answer to your division is the distance between each of the marks you will make for the rest of the brackets along the line. From your bottom bracket mark, measure this distance and make a mark. Then, on this point, using a straight edge and level mark a vertical pencil line intersecting the handrail line.
. Keep repeating the last step measuring from the bracket point you just marked until you reach the top bracket mark.

Please see the image below for clear understanding of this point. The plate on the bracket, which attaches to the handrail, needs to be lined up with the handrail pencil line. The center line of the bracket should be in line with the vertical line.

9

With a pencil, draw through the screw holes to mark where you need to drill your holes.

1. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all of the brackets.
2. CHECK: Using a drill, make pilot holes where you have made your screw marks. Do not make the hole wider than the anchor.
3. CHECK: Ensuring you are using the correct anchors for you wall substrate, insert them into the holes.
4. Now it is time to fix either the handrail (if your brackets are fixed) or your individual brackets to the wall using screws, which are suitable for the wall substrate.
   If your brackets were fixed, your job is now complete.
5. If your brackets were separate, you now need to place the handrail on top of the brackets and mark the position of the fixing holes with a pencil.
6. 1. On the pencil marks, drill the holes into your handrail.
   2. You are now ready to screw the handrail onto the brackets. You should now be finished.

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