How to Install a Banister

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

A banister provides additional safety on your staircase and visual appeal to a home. With the use of some wood and a few tools and supplies, you will be able to install a banister. The following is a guide on how to install a banister.

Steps

1
Purchase a banister at a home-improvement store or on the Internet.
2
Determine the correct height for the banister.^{[1]
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- Contact your local building department for the codes that govern the installation of banisters.
- Mark the wall adjacent to the top and bottom stairs with the correct height. Stand a level vertically to ensure the accuracy of your markings.
- Connect the markings with a chalk line.
3
Locate the studs in the walls.^{[2]
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- Do this by using a stud finder.^{[3]
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- Mark the location of each stud on the wall.
4
Cut a piece of wood that fits the bottom of the banister.^{[4]
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- This will be the mounting strip.
5
Screw the mounting strip onto the wall.^{[5]
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- Align the screws with the studs.
6
Apply painter's tape to the areas of the wall that are near the mounting strip.
7
Stain the mounting strip.
- The color should match the banister.
- Be sure to apply 2 coats of stain.
8
Remove the painter's tape.
9
Cut the banister to fit the staircase.
- Measure the total amount of wood that you will need to fit the staircase.
- Use a power saw to cut the banister.
- Miter the ends of the banister. Use a miter box to do so and follow the instructions that apply to the brand that you choose.
10
Apply the banister to the mounting strip.
- Mark evenly spaced areas on the painter's tape that you will use to screw it in. These should not coincide with the holes that you drilled for the mounting strip.
- Screw the banister into place.
11
Miter a cap for each end of the banister.
- Use a miter box to do so and follow the instructions that apply to the brand that you choose.^{[6]
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- Be sure that the caps fit the ends of the handrails properly.
- Glue them into place.
- Screw them into place to ensure that they remain sturdy.
12
Install pre-cut wooden pegs into the holes on the banister.^{[7]
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- These should have either come with your banister or be available at a hardware or home improvement store.
- Be sure that they match the color of the banister.
- Gently use a hammer to secure the pegs into the banister.