Six simple steps to measure for a handrail

Do you need to measure up to determine the length of your future wall-mounted handrail but don’t know where to begin? Have no fear. Follow these six simple steps to ensure the measurement for your new handrail is correct

1

Decide what height you want your handrail.
UK regulations state that the minimum handrail height should be 90cm (measured from the pitch line to the top of the handrail). Decide what height, 90cm or above, will work best for the people who will be using your handrail the most.

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 your desired height. Next to this height, make a small mark with a pencil. 

3

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 your desired height. Next to this height, make a small mark with a pencil.

4

Using a straight edge and pencil, join all the points together. This is the minimum length your handrail should be however most hand rails are a little longer (please see step 5).

5

Next, you need to decide how much you would like the handrail to extend past the first point at the bottom of the stairs and the last point at the top of the stairs. Adding extra to each end of the handrail ensures the user has something to hold onto when stepping onto and off the stairs. Please note that how much extra you can add will depend on how much room you have on your wall. We recommend adding 15cm to each end if you have the wall space.

6

Using a tape measure, measure the full length of your pencil line. This is the full length measurement for your hand rail.

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