How to Install an Outdoor Stair Railing

Everyone wants to make their home as safe as possible, and that includes providing a safe means for climbing the stairs that lead into the home. Adults and children alike, regardless of age, can benefit form having something to hold onto when they are climbing stairs.

Things You'll Need:

• Socket wrench set


• Measuring tape


• Hand saw


• Drill


• Material for stair railing

1. Measure the total rise of the stairs. Do this by measuring from the top of the porch floor to the surface of the ground below it.


2. Measure the total run of the stairs. Place your tape measure at the top of the back of the stairs all the way to the back of the bottom stair.


3. Measure the cap rail length by measuring the total length from the far edge of the bottom stair to the inward most edge of the top stair. Add any other length such as all the way to the door if this is needed.


4. Take your measurements to your local home improvement store and look at the stair railing they have in stock. They may have kits you can work with. A stair railing kit that comes in wood or iron is the best choices.


5. Align the posts that come with your kit with the bottom staircase tread, and the uppermost tread. Bolt these posts in place. For wood, remove the upper tread and bolt to the stringer, and then cut a notch in the tread to accommodate this post and replace the tread.


6. Bolt iron stair railings to the platform railing and you're done. For wood railings, bolt to the posts and trim to fit.


7. Apply the rail caps or post caps that have come with the kit you purchased and you have a brand new stair railing.