How best to attach landing banister spindles.

[Gad-Westy]

At the top of our strairs there is a short section (500mm ish) of horizontal banister. It used to have a hardboard panel between it and the floor to cover the gap and it looked awful.

So I want to fit 3 or 4 spindles in the gap instead and just wondered what the best method for attaching these is and hiding any fixings? Will be above wooden floor boards though don't think I could realistically get a screw in from underneath.

I guess on the top side I could put a screw straight down through banister and then fill over the top as it will all be painted.

[55palfers]

https://www.wonkeedonkeerichardburbidge.co.uk/how-...

[marting]

I did exactly this before.

I believe the correct way is to use a recess in the banister (if it has one) and slot the spindles in there, filling the gaps in-between with thin dividing sheets.

I didn't have a banister with a recess, so I just used glue and toenailed the spindles in, using wood filler to hide the recessed nail heads.

[hyphen]

As said, glue and nail seems to be often used.

Just look up the regs- there is a safety rule about a maximum gap between spindles iirc to stop crawling babies falling through.

[Gad-Westy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Cheers. Can you clarify what you mean by mortice? I'm a thicko.

[Gad-Westy]

55palfers said:

https://www.wonkeedonkeerichardburbidge.co.uk/how-...

Cheers. Spotted that earlier. Will have a proper read.

[Gad-Westy]

marting said:

I did exactly this before.

I believe the correct way is to use a recess in the banister (if it has one) and slot the spindles in there, filling the gaps in-between with thin dividing sheets.

I didn't have a banister with a recess, so I just used glue and toenailed the spindles in, using wood filler to hide the recessed nail heads.

Cheers. I have a small recess to work with. That sounds reasonably simply.

[Gad-Westy]

hyphen said:

As said, glue and nail seems to be often used.

Just look up the regs- there is a safety rule about a maximum gap between spindles iirc to stop crawling babies falling through.

Looks to be 100mm.

[B17NNS]

There is normally a slot or recess in the base rail and hand rail the width of a spindle. Slot the spindles in, glue, skew nail and then infill the gaps with a piece of fillet. As above, no more than 100mm gap at the widest point.



Do you have a pic of what you have currently?

[Gad-Westy]

B17NNS said:

There is normally a slot or recess in the base rail and hand rail the width of a spindle. Slot the spindles in, glue, skew nail and then infill the gaps with a piece of fillet. As above, no more than 100mm gap at the widest point.



Do you have a pic of what you have currently?

Not a great pic. Was taking a photo of something else at the time but this is all I have on my phone.



One hurdle is that the groove that runs along the underside of the banister is 22mm wide and standard spindles appear to be 32mm.

[B17NNS]

Can't see from that pic whether you have a base rail or not.

You could always replace the handrail, fit a base rail and new spindles/fillets.

Kit here for £65.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Landing-Stairs-Refurbish...

You'd end up with a bit of waste but they may make a smaller kit up for you.

Advert says: Shaw Stairs Ltd do supply an extensive range of stair parts, if you are unsure on measurements or if you cannot find what your looking for please call 01827 54988 or email [e-mail] and we will be happy to help.

Edited by B17NNS on Wednesday 30th August 14:22

[Gad-Westy]

B17NNS said:

Can't see from that pic whether you have a base rail or not.

You could always replace the handrail, fit a base rail and new spindles/fillets.

Kit here for £75.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Staircase-Refurbishment-...

You'd end up with a bit of waste but they may make a smaller kit up for you.

Advert says: Shaw Stairs Ltd do supply an extensive range of stair parts, if you are unsure on measurements or if you cannot find what your looking for please call 01827 54988 or email [e-mail] and we will be happy to help.

I did consider doing this but I'm not actually sure how the current handrail fixes to the wall or indeed to the newel. Its all new plaster so not mad keen on giving it a whack with a mallet to see what happens!

[B17NNS]

Understandable. In that case I'd fill the grove/recess so you have a flat surface underneath the handrail. Then cut the spindles to length and pilot/countersink/screw into them from above. Use glue as well so they're less inclined to spin. Smear of filler and a sand to hide the fixings on top? If you haven't already got a base rail you can buy a length and do the bottom as normal. If you have got a base rail and it also has a 22mm slot the fill that too and skew nail/fill/sand.

[Gad-Westy]

B17NNS said:

Understandable. In that case I'd fill the grove/recess so you have a flat surface underneath the handrail. Then cut the spindles to length and pilot/countersink/screw into them from above. Use glue as well so they're less inclined to spin. Smear of filler and a sand to hide the fixings on top? If you haven't already got a base rail you can buy a length and do the bottom as normal. If you have got a base rail and it also has a 22mm slot the fill that too and skew nail/fill/sand.

Cheers. I'm going to have another look tonight but tempted to notch out the top of 32mm spindles to form a 22mm spigot on the top of each so that they slide in nicely. Then can use a 32mm base rail at the bottom.