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How to measure for your handrails, Do you need to measure for wall-mounted handrails? Do you have the right tools to do so? These are all questions that come up when a person is trying to install their own railing. We'll go over how to measure for and install wall mounted handrails in this article.
First, you need to measure the length of your railing. If it is single rail you can measure from one end and subtract two inches, if there are brackets then add an additional four inches for each bracket. For example: If the distance between the wall mounting point and outer edge of your handrail needs to be ten feet long, make sure that when measuring this out on a straight line (lengthwise with no curves or bends) that there would be ten feet minus six inches plus eight inches equals twenty-four total linear feet.
Measure the length of your railing (if it is single rail measure from one end, if there are brackets add an additional four inches for each bracket). You need to make sure that when measuring this out on a straight line (lengthwise with no curves or bends) you would have ten feet minus six inches plus eight more inches equals twenty-four total linear hours.
A great way to ensure accuracy in measurement is by locking down two dowels at either side of where your handrail will be mounted and then use them as guides. This also ensures that everything stays level.
You should test all measurements before drilling any holes into walls or mounting anything onto studs/joists, etc. Once complete check again to see what needs to be adjusted, measure again and make the necessary changes.
A type of handrailing that attaches to walls instead of posts or stair rails in order to provide assistance when moving up or down stairs. The most common types are L shaped bars with one end anchored on an inside wall and extending out towards the staircase side (usually at about waist height) then curving back inwards to create a U shape against the outside wall before attaching it using brackets onto another bracket attached vertically along this same stud/joist).
Note: while these types can come pre-mounted for easy installation they typically require additional hardware such as bolts, screws and washers which need to be included in the measurement.
The Measurements: The most important measurements to take are: - Mounting Brackets (Height) and Distance from Wall (Length). Once these two have been calculated, other measurements such as stair rise height will be more easily determined by subtracting it from your Length then multiplying this number by two for both risers in a step or adding three inches to the length for one riser if you want an open tread instead of closed steps where there is no space between each riser.
Measure the distance from your wall that you need to reach (length) Then measure up how high you want it mounted on the wall, including any brackets or hardware needed. If it is a pre-mounted type and does not require additional measurements such as bolts and screws then these next steps are unnecessary but if they do then follow them for best results: Add two inches of space between each mounting bracket; Measure stair rise height by subtracting this number from your length before multiplying by two (or adding three inches).
Note: While these types can come pre-mounted for easy installation they typically require additional hardware such as bolts, screws and washers which need to be included in the measurement. Additionally while there may be specific requirements about what type of hardware to use, it is best practice to use the appropriate screws for the surface material.
Extra Measurements: The width measurement should be taken from inside-to-inside and height measurements are typically measured in inches or feet depending on whether they are a preinstalled type or not. Some types may require brackets which will need an additional two inch space on either side so measure as if you had already mounted them before adding this spacing into your total length (this also applies when measuring stair rise).
The width of the handrail should be measured from inside-to-inside. The height measures in inches or feet depending on whether they are preinstalled type or not. Some types may require brackets, which will need two additional inches (measured before you add spacing) to each side so measure as if you had already mounted them and then add this measurement when measuring stair rise.
Measurements: Wall mount - 18" x 12". Stair rails - 32" x 16". Brackets - 24" x 24." Extra measurements: Handrails typically use a one inch space next to walls while stairs usually have eight inch spaces next to the wall with brackets that span between both ends of the bracket for stability. This means the brackets and the handrails will be at least one inch apart from each other.
Some types may require brackets, which will need two additional inches (measured before you add spacing) to each side so measure as if you had already mounted them and then add this measurement when measuring stair rise.
No, as long as the stairs are less than 36 inches in height and there is no more than three risers.
Some types may require brackets, which will need two additional inches (measured before you add spacing) to each side so measure as if you had already mounted them and then add this measurement when measuring stair rise.
Measurements: Wall mount - 18" x 12". Stair rails - 32" x 16". Brackets - 24" x 24." Extra measurements: Handrails typically use a one inch space next to walls while stairs usually have eight inch spaces next to the wall with brackets that span between both ends of the bracket for stability. This means the brackets and the handrails will take up two inches each side.
Additionally, a handrail may be mounted parallel or perpendicular to the stairs and they need to extend from one step to another without gaps.
If you do not have a staircase at home but want railings for special needs, then the measurements are similar with exceptions: Wall mount - 18" x 12". Stair rails - 24" x 16." Brackets - 36" x 24." Handrails typically use an inch space next to walls while stairs usually have four inch spaces next to the wall with brackets that span between both ends of the bracket for stability. This means the brackets will take up only one inch each side because there is no stair rise measurement needed in this instance as it's already built into the bracket.
If you are installing a railing on an exterior deck or porch, then it's best to measure your handrail with the brackets at the outside edge of your stairway which is typically 48" wide and will require 24" x 16." However, if these measurements do not allow for enough room between each section of wall space (which should be two inches), then it may need to go inwards by one inch and use 18" x 12".
It can get confusing because there are so many factors that come into consideration when figuring out how long a rail needs to be. The following information from Building Codes Illustrated: Residential gives detailed instructions on how much length you'll need depending on what type of stairs you have in order to keep a safe distance for children.
The rail will need to be 20" in length when the stairway is 36-42 inches wide, 26" in length when 44-48 inches wide and 32" long when 50-54 inches wide.
If you're installing on an exterior deck or porch with no stairs, then these measurements are not applicable because there's nowhere to measure from. You'll still want your railing to be at least 24" in width (outside edge) so that it can sufficiently support someone leaning against it while they go up/down the steps of their home."
If you are installing more than one rail, then it's best to measure on the inside edge of each bracket (which should be four inches). and also make sure that they line up in the center. For example: If your brackets span between an end wall, a corner wall and another end wall, then it will need to be at least 12" x 24." These measurements cover both rails with two inches of space for each bracket or six total inches per side.
