We have handrails!
Handrails are required by code. Generally, building codes are a good idea – they prevent people from housing other people in fleabags and firetraps, for example. But they can be kind of a pain when they are applied to you, because they require you to spend oodles of time on boring tasks, like handrails.
We chose from a huge pile at Heritage Salvage
Our inspector told us he wanted handrails on BOTH sides of the exterior stairs, so we needed a lot. We found a huge pile at Heritage Salvage in Petaluma, one of our favorite spots. They look like they came out of some kind of institutional building, maybe even a school, and they even came with brackets. And they were free (thank you so much Heritage Salvage!).
Attaching the handrail
The inside one wasn’t too hard – we were just starting to try and find studs when we remembered that the whole wall was shearwalled. So we just attached it and then I sanded it and painted it tangerine, just for fun and to match my stencil.
A high gloss tangerine dream - stencil covered by dropcloth but it does kind of match!
The outside ones were a bit more complicated, because the brackets had to hit the posts, and of course they didn’t, so we had to re-space them. But still, it wasn’t as hard as we’d expected – just kind of a boring job.
To make a handrail return, cut one end at 45 degrees
First, we took the old hardware off (sometimes resorting to a hacksaw). Then, we measured, using one of the existing returns on one end.
Our favorite screws for jobs like this
Next, we cut the rail at a 45 degree angle, and used that angle to create another return, using glue and screws.
Measure - a code compliant return means the inside of the handrail is no more than 1.5 inches from the wall
First, wood glue
Put the two 45 degree angles together to make a corner
Clamp, drill, and screw
And then we attached it. Two sets of stairs, four sides, four handrails – we finished just at dusk, and we’re one step closer to final inspection.
Have you ever seen exterior stair handrails like this? Us neither - but ya can't argue with the county.
I can’t believe they made you add a handrail to the outside handrail. Sometimes I think people just want to follow the letter of the law instead of the spirit (or just be a pain since they can)! Good job on the return.
Thanks Travis! It is a little frustrating but I appreciate the encouragement!
I’m confused as to why the top rail doesn’t count, but hey, at least it looks good!