Tech Tips: Finishing off a Handrail

My guide to getting the right finish on your handrail

Welcome to Richard Burdidge’s new technical tips blog; we often get asked a lot of questions regarding DIY problems, and each week I’ll be answering some of these questions in the hope that it could possibly help out anyone else who is in a similar predicament.

Regarding handrail installation

This week’s question comes in from Robert in Cambridgeshire who asked:

“I wish to use a white oak handrail fixed to the wall of the stairs rather than the rounded handrail suggested for this application. Is this feasible? If so, how do you suggest I should finish the ends off, i.e. at right angles to the rail or cut them vertical to the stair well. The recess underneath the rail for the spindles will be seen at the ends of the rail, is this acceptable do you think?”

Well, to answer this question it boils down to personal preference. There is nothing against using the handrail attached to the stair wall; it’s a perfectly plausible solution. Using a more bespoke rail will just save on installation time so it’s whether the extra time and effort put in is worth the result that you’re after.

As for how to finish the ends off, just bear in mind that if you are to cut the rail vertical to the stair well, you will be cutting the rail into a point and possibly end up with some sharp edges so just be wary of this and deal with it accordingly.

We manufacture a number of shaped pieces of handrail which you could use to add decorative shape to your wall handrail. One solution would be at the bottom of the stairs use a WOHT (horizontal turn) to return into the wall followed by a WOUE (upward easing) to take the handrail from horizontal to the same pitch of the stairs, the opposite would be required at the top of the stairs using a WOOE (over easing) followed by a second horizontal turn. Alternatively you could mitre the handrail.

Regarding handrail finishing

Robert also asks what would be a suitable way to finish the rail off while still retaining the white oak appearance.

We have an excellent guide to finishing our products located here on our website, unfortunately we don’t sell anything with which you could use; you could get in contact with a major manufacturer of finishing products like Cuprinol or Ronseal who could advise you better on how to apply a wax to a surface requiring wear resistance.

I hope this has helped everyone who may be in a similarly difficult situation. If you have any further queries or would like to post your own question, then please feel free to contact us.

Hope you find my posts helpful, look forward to reading your comments!