If you are in the process of adding a new staircase to your home or you are just doing a bit of a renovation, you will need to ensure that you also include a suitable handrail if there are anymore than 4 steps. To ensure that the rail is at the correct height for offering support, you will need to make sure that you measure your staircase up properly.
Step 1: If your staircase has been fitted with a handrail that you are replacing, use a pencil to mark on the wall where the top of the rail sits. Use a level to help you draw a straight line.
Step 2: Measure the height from the step to the top of the handrail, making a note of this measurement on a spare piece of paper. If your staircase doesn’t have a handrail, choose a height between 30 and 36 inches to see which you prefer.
Step 3: On each step, measure up the wall to the height that you settled on in the step above. Make a mark of this height on the wall, then use a tape measure to ensure that each of these marks form a straight line.
Step 4: If you are installing the handrail along a wall, make sure that you leave about 3 inches between the wall and the rail, as this will give users something to grab onto.
If you are planning on replacing your staircase’s handrail yourself, it is recommended that you contact a stair professional to check that your measurements match the current legal requirements and regulations. This will ensure that your staircase complies and is safe to be sold should you ever decide to move.