Plan Bracket Placement

What happens in this clip

Acquire handrail brackets (e.g., from Lowe's). Each bracket typically has a wall-mounting plate and a part that attaches to the handrail. To determine the precise location for the wall-mounting plate, measure the thickness of your handrail and the height of the bracket itself. Subtract these combined measurements from the top handrail line you marked in the previous step. This new, lower line will indicate where the bottom of the wall-mounted bracket plate should sit. Critically, use a stud finder to locate wall studs along this line, as handrail brackets *must* be securely fastened into structural studs, not just drywall, for safety. Mark these stud locations.

Goal: Determine precise, secure locations for handrail brackets along the marked line.

What's used

Tools

• Handrail brackets
• Pencil
• Stud Finder
• Tape Measure

About the full video

This DIY project provides step-by-step instructions for installing a simple handrail on a stairway. It covers determining the correct height, securely mounting brackets into wall studs, cutting and assembling handrail end returns, and finally attaching and checking the stability of the handrail.

Step 3 of 8: Mark Bracket Locations

Hold each bracket against the concrete at the marked locations for the handrail. Ensure the brackets are aligned correctly with the desired slope of the handrail. Use a pencil or marker to precisely outline the position of each mounting hole on the concrete surface.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Install Top Post Anchors
• Place Bracket and Post