Interior stair handrail

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The Request

The homeowners just finished replacing their stair cap rail with fresh stained wood, and now they need a proper railing system underneath. The existing setup doesn't meet code — there's no intermediate support between the top and bottom — and they want something that looks good with the new wood while keeping everyone safe.

Our Approach

We're designing a steel post-and-rail system that'll anchor to the stairs and support that wood cap. The measurements we're working with show a 36.6-inch rise and roughly 31.6-inch run per section, with a 21.5-inch total stairway span. Posts will be positioned to prevent any gaps larger than 4 inches (the code requirement for preventing small children from slipping through) while keeping the visual lines clean.

The wood cap stays — it's the warm element that ties into the home's existing trim. Our steel components will provide the structure and safety underneath, likely in a powder-coated finish that complements the carpet and wood tones without competing with them.

Next Steps

We're finalizing the exact post spacing and rail configuration with the homeowners. Once they approve the design, we'll fabricate everything in the shop, then come back for a clean installation that won't damage their new carpet or woodwork. The goal is a railing that feels like it was always meant to be there — solid, safe, and simple.