Renovating your staircase is more than just a remodel, it's an important transformation of your home that you plan will last for years to come. Using a few tools, a basic knowledge of wood joinery and some newly purchased stair balustrade, updating the look of your staircase can be very easy. A common question we get asked at Blueprint Joinery is how to fix a handrail to a newel post. You’ve got the traditional technique of using tenon and mortice cuts and then mechanically fixing the handrail and newel post together using a tapered dowel pin. Or, a handrail bolt can be used; a modern technique which is just as effective, but much easier in terms of execution. This article looks at the different types of handrail bolt kits we stock here on the website that will help make fitting a handrail to newel post super easy.
1 - Universal Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit
Top Image: The contents of the Universal Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit. Click the image to see the product. | Right Image: Demonstration on how the kit fits a handrail and newel post together.
This product has been designed with the main intention to help simplify the process of connecting a handrail to the newel post. It's universal in the way that it can be used on both horizontal landing or angled stair rails. This kit contains all the items and fixings you'll require to fix a rail between two existing/new newel posts at a non-standard staircase pitch.
The kit comes with cover buttons which hide the holes made when installing the handrail bolt. For the perfect finish, we recommend using timber plugs instead. The plugs can be cut flush to the newel post, sanded down and finished making the rail and newel look like they were never separate in the first place.
Please note that this kit is not suitable for our Low Profile (LHR) Handrails. For LHR, we recommend the Universal Zip Bolt Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit. Scroll down this article or click the link for more information on this product. These handrail bolt kits are not suitable for use with half newel posts, we suggest screwing through the half newel into the end of the rail before attaching the newel to the wall.
What This Handrail Bolt Kit Includes
- Newel Post Bolt 85mm
- Square Rail Plate 32mm x 32mm
- Bolt Washer
- Fixing Screws
- Timber Cover Button.
Basic Handrail Bolt Kit Fitting Guide
- Fix the Newel Posts into position and allow time for any adhesive to set before attempting to fix the handrails
- Cut rails to the correct length and angle
- Mark the position of the square plate on the newel post and on the end of the handrail
- Using a sharp chisel, rebate the newel post to accommodate the 32mm x 32mm square plate
- Drill a hole half an inch into the end of the rail so the threaded spigot on the square plate fits tight
- Using the screws provided, fix the plate onto the end of the handrail. Please note, you may have to drill a deeper hole in the rail if you have small newel posts
- Drill the newel post to take the bolt. Countersink the head of the bolt into the newel post so the cover button fits
- You may have to adjust the depth of the bolt to suit your newel post size
- Repeat the process for the other end of the rail
- Offer up the rail to the newel post, pass the bolt through the post and tighten into the square plate on the rail
- Use a suitable wood glue to fix the cover button to the newel post.
2 - Universal Zip Bolt Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit
Manufactured by Cheshire Mouldings. Unlike the Universal Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit, this kit caters for all types of handrail profiles including Low Profile (LHR) Rails.
Again, this kit is not suitable for use with half newel posts; as previously discussed, we suggest screwing through the half newel into the end of the rail before attaching the newel to the wall.
What the Universal Zip Bolt Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit Includes
- 1 x Adjustable threaded Bolt
- 1 x Cam Nut
- 1 x Oak Cover Button
- 1 x Pine Cover Button.
The cam nut fits into the newel post, not the rail, making this handrail fixing kit slightly different to the other Zip Fixing Kits.
The video below demonstrates how to fit a handrail to newel post using the Universal Zip Bolt Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit.
3 - Slip Fix Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit Zip Bolt
Manufactured by Zipbolt and an alternative to Cheshire Moulding’s Universal Zip Bolt Handrail to Newel Post Fixing Kit, this product is suitable for all timber types and newel posts. The unique design creates a hidden fix, so no cover buttons or plugs are required.
Please note, this product isn’t suitable for our LHR Handrails or Glass Grooved Handrails.
The straight kit contains everything you need to connect the handrail to the newel posts on the straight landing between the two posts. You get two fixings, one for each end of your rail. The angled kit contains everything you need to connect the handrail to the newel posts going up the stairs on the angle. You get a top and bottom fixing in the kit. The two videos below demonstrate the difference between the straight and angled kits.
4 – Forge Handrail Connectors
Totally different in design, the Contemporary Forge Handrail Connector Kit was initially designed for the Contemporary Forge range of stair parts but are also compatible with any of our 41mm pine or oak Heavy (HDR) Rails.
This connector fits the handrail to a flat surface; so, either a newel post or a wall
The connectors come in either a shiny chrome or brushed nickel metal finish and are accompanied with all the necessary fixings to join the two parts together.
Free Planning Service
Not sure what you need for your stairs? Send us a plan or photographs of your stairs along with any other measurements and requirements, and we will be more than happy to work out the parts you need and supply you with a quote. Call (01691) 671020 or email info@blueprintjoinery.co.uk today.