Adding Spindles To Existing Stairs

Step 15 caulk the newel posts and the tops and bottoms of the new spindles.

Adding spindles to existing stairs.

Sand railing and stain or paint. Stick spindle up into top railing. Rest the bottom rails on 2 4 spacer blocks and toe screw them to the posts photo 22. Add glue or epoxy into lower hole.

Toe screw the top rail to the posts. If you cut too much off one side or the other the shape of the replacement spindle may not line up exactly with the existing banister spindles. Step 14 add liquid nails to both ends and screwed the spindle on to the bottom screw. A well designed stairway can transport a contemporary living room back to the victorian era or create a warm welcome at the entryway.

Lay your cut spindles out and use a uniform measurement to mark the screw holes. The stair spindle angles will be the same as the angles at the rail ends. Use reciprocating saw to trim iron spindles to height. We took the railing outside and flipped it upside down to drill holes for the new spindles.

Measure the height for each spindle. If the old spindle was glued in and the bond is still strong you may have to cut the damaged spindle out flush and bore two new holes. Coat with poly to seal. Feb 18 2015 this banister renovation is for when you have a sturdy railing but your stairs need a facelift build a different newel post around the existing post and replace the spindles.

The most important thing to remember is that stairs are not just conduits between different areas of the house. Since we were changing 6 inch spaced spindles to 4 inch spaced spindles we were able to keep every other spindle in tact. It s amazing how you can transform your stairs by painting the risers the vertical portion of the stair the same color as your trim and refinishing the treads the horizontal portion of the stair. They also play an important role in setting the feel and look of your home.

Once in place put a 2 1 2 inch pocket hole screw in the top attaching it to the top railing. Pull out of each end and discard. Deck railings can be attached in a number of ways but when dealing with a pre existing deck outside posts are often the most efficient way to go. Don t replace refinish one of the most cost effective ways to update an older staircase is to refinish it.

Use reciprocating saw to cut wooden balusters in half. Stick spindle in that hole. The measurement between them was 12 inches of course so we are just adding two spindles between each we kept.