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Upgrade your Porch or Deck with Stair Railings

I recently installed a new stair railing to outdoor steps leading up to a porch. It made a huge aesthetic difference, and it's safer for everyone! 

Read on for the materials list, step-by-step instructions, and - as always! - a video that documents the whole progression and the satisfying before and after.

You will need:
Steps:
  1. Pick your location. You’ll want this to be as close to the stairs as possible.
  2. Dig your post holes. You need to dig down to the frost line, which is around 36 inches in KC.
  3. Place your posts. Make sure it's level up and down, north, south, east, and west. Screw two boards to the post to brace the post and keep its position while you pour the concrete. I initially only used one brace and had to adjust while pouring, which was not ideal. The concrete sets VERY fast, so best to be prepared.
  4. Pour the concrete. Follow the bag instructions. You’ll likely need two bags per hole. With the fast-set concrete, you just pour water into the hole, add the concrete mix, and then add more water. No mixing required!
  5. Measure for railings. Measure the bottom distance between the posts and cut the bottom railing accordingly.
  6. Add your mounting brackets.
  7. Place the bottom railing. Adjust to desired height and screw mounts to the post.
  8. Insert the spindles.
  9. Measure the top rail, add mounts and insert over the spindles. Make sure to pay attention to the spindle hole placement when you are cutting the top and bottom rail so that they match.
  10. Add the top handrail. You simply cut it to length and screw it to the top rail (I missed documenting this in the video).
  11. Cut your posts. Cut the 4x4 posts to the desired height, which should be about 3 inches above the top of the handrail.
  12. Paint or stain. 
  13. Add post caps. They make all sorts so find the ones you like!

Here's a video I made so you can see how it all came together:

 

Happy DIYing!

Brian