Plan Placement and Mark Handrail Height

What happens in this clip

Begin by deciding which side of the staircase the handrail will be installed on. Using a level and a pencil, mark the desired height for the handrail on the wall. Building code requirements typically mandate a handrail height between a 34-inch minimum and a 38-inch maximum, measured from the tread nosing to the top of the rail. For this project, a height of 36 inches is chosen as it falls within the acceptable range. When marking, account for the height of the mounting brackets and the thickness of the handrail itself to ensure the top surface of the finished rail is at the intended height.

Goal: Determine and mark the correct handrail height and placement on the wall

What's used

Tools

• Level ECOTECH
• Long straightedge
• level line for the handrail height along the staircase.
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil

About the full video

This DIY project provides step-by-step instructions for installing a wall-mounted handrail along a staircase. The process covers determining the correct height based on building codes, preparing the handrail by cutting and adding returns, securely installing mounting brackets into wall studs, and finally attaching the handrail to the brackets.

Step 1 of 7: Determine Handrail Height and Location

Measure from the nosing of each stair tread to the desired height for the handrail. A common range is 34 to 38 inches. Use a level to draw a horizontal line on the wall at this height, ensuring it is consistent along the entire length of the staircase. This line will serve as a guide for the bottom of the handrail.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Measure Handrail Height
• Measure and Mark Railing Height