Ballustrade Install

[samozzy]

Whats the best way to install wooden Ballustrades to a stair rail? Top and bottom rail are in situe.

[Griffin]

Hello Samozzy

To start with you need to work out how many spindles need to be fitted between the top and bottom newel posts so measuring the distance between these posts will help determine the quantity.

To get an accurate measurement between the posts clamp a long straight piece of timber or other material to the face of the lower newel post where the handrail is attached so you in effect project the line of the newel post up high enough to be level with the peak of the top newel post and then using a tape measure hooked around the top of the timber clamped to your newel, measure the distance between the two faces of the newels where the handrail is connected. In effect a horizontal measurement is what you need, not diagonal.

Secondly, if you have obtained the spindles you intend to use to refit your balustrade you then need to measure the thickness of one of these spindles.
Jot these measurements down because you will need to use a calculator to work this out.

The goal here is to aim for a gap of not more than 100mm between each spindle, so multiply the thickness of the spindle by the quantity of spindles you think you will need from top to bottom then write this number down.

Then take the distance in mm between the newels and then subtract the spindle thickness quantity measurement from this figure.
The number you are left with you then divide by one more than the quantity of spindles and this measurement is the spacing between the spindles.

Here's an example:

Lets say the distance between the newel posts is 3000mm
(key this into your calculator)

Lets assume your spindles are 32mm thick, so multiply 32 by 22 (22 being the quantity of spindles needed)
this equals 704mm.

Then enter 3000 into calculator and subtract 704 = 2296
then divide 2296 by 23 and you should get 99.826

less than 100mm (only just) building regs for stairs state gaps between spindles should not exceed 100mm. (for u.k regs anyway)

Now you should be able to calculate the spacings for your spindles using this method regardless of how many spindles you intend to fit.

For cutting your spindles you will need a sliding bevel to measure the angle of pitch of your stairs and then transfer this onto each end of the spindle once you know the actual length they need to be. If you have access to a portable mitre saw it is a quick job to cut several spindles if you set up a length stop for repetative work.

Tip: Check that the length of the spindle is the same at both top and bottom of your stairs because its easy to cut them too short if there is any variation from one end to the other.

I hope this makes sense and not too long winded, Ive had to read this a few times myself just to be sure.

Last of all - GOOD LUCK

[Tryanything]

Just one point as Griffin said 100mm between spindles for b/regs

But l must add it is 100mm between spindles at the narrowest point if
you are using turned spindles

[jp]

all the above is correct, a quick rule of thumb is 2 spindles per tread.
always order a few more first few cuts may be wrong and 98mm max gap between narrowest point. (100mm is correct but be on the safe side)