How to Install Wall Mounted Handrail: 3 CODE Requirements explained! 

You know when a video is good because it gives you confidence you can do the job yourself

Thank you, Hunter, from a 74 yr old grandma. I think I can do it. The rail is already cut😃

I don’t know how anyone could explain it any better than you did. Nice job man!

I followed this video and successfully install a 14-foot handrail with returns. Great tips and instructions!!!

This dude is the king of handrails. Man he made that look easy.

Hunter it’s guys like you that make RU-vid so awesome! Thank you!!🍻

Nice Job Hunter, In doing woodwork and carpentry as you know we use chalk lines a lot, and for sure they can stain our work, so in a case where the surface is finished or bleed-through is possible and I don't want it stained, but still when I prefer to use my chalk line any way I use 2-inch masking tape stretching it where ever I need to pop the chalk line, then I'm able to use my chalk line anyway without staining the area that should not have chalk marks or stains, because the chalk goes on the masking tape instead of the wall, etc. when I'm done the masking tape is easily removed. I now use masking tape on many projects instead of marking directly on my work-pieces. Again Thanks for taking the time to help others.

stumbled on this video as I was looking for tips on how to secure my handrail that was previously installed by last homeowner that got loose. Thanks!

Thank you for the demonstration and tips! My 1970's handrail was much smaller, so I added an inch to mark at 32". It ended up being on the high side of the 38" code range. Next time, I will stick to your recommended 31" mark.

I thank you so very much. I am a caregiver for an elderly man who can no longer climb his stairs from the bottom floor to the level floor and this was perfect for me to be able to install the rails for him to go up and down the stairs. I could not afford to hire someone to do such . You are awesome 😎👍 Thank you.. You are an answer to my prayers and I pray that you and your family have nothing less than an abundance of blessings in your life forever and ever in the name of Jesus☝️ Amen🙌

I wish the old, crotchety, a-holes that i had to apprentice under were this helpful and willing to teach like this

Perfectly explained!!! Waited 22 years to fix up my house only to sell it. This is one of the last things on my list. After this my house will be finished l!! Only to start another one in upstate New York🤣🤣 Thank you for the video!!!

Thank you so much for your demonstration of installing a handrail. I have regular handrails with spindles, but as a senior (75-yr-old woman) I wanted to also replace the handrails on the walls that had been removed by painters several years ago. They did a good job of patching the holes so I needed to determine how high they should go. I searched other videos and magazine articles on the subject, but they usually involved two guys, a level, a carpenter's square and . Using your example (31" up from the bottom stair nosing and 31" up from the top stair nosing), I attached the handrails in less than 30 minutes. They are mounted to studs and with three brackets on each, they are sturdy as can be. This will make the stairs much safer for me for years to come.

I’ve used baby powder as a chalk line or white, very easy to clean up. I also never glue the returns to the wall, I’ve removed many of these for furniture to be carried up and down the stairs. Great video though, precise and to the point.

We're halfway getting a second handrail parallel to the top original handrail for our toddler to hang onto. You made it easy. THANKS!! Excellent tutorial!

Hunter you rock man! I am a finish carpenter here in Washington state and I really appreciate the content you put out. I have installed literally hundreds of these handrails but I watched the video because it was you doing it lol. Thank you so much for being who you are and keep up the good work.

I'm a teacher and i compliment you on your teaching technique. You're strait and to the point and one can follow step by step easily. I love how you don't get bogged down in the minutiae of it and how everything has to be perfectly perfect. Keep the vids coming

Nicely done, Hunter! One additional tip... I make sure my stock handrail ends are trimmed to 90 degrees and then mark and make both of my 1 1/2" clearance 45-degree miter cuts on each end, and just swap them to complete the mitered joints - (there is less maneuvering of the stock on the saw and essentially zero waste).

Hunter, Thank You so much for this video. I need to do this for my Sister, since her Contractor doesn't finish a job. You gave me so many tips on how to do this. A Thousand Thanks for this.

Thank you for the great instructional video. I had slipped and fallen on my stairs and broke the guard rail hardware in the middle. I patched the wall and bought all new hardware. Your video was what I needed to reinstall my Bannister. Thank you for what you do 🤗

Thank you Hunter, you are an excellent teacher. I didn't realize there was this much involved in a railing installation. 🥰

Sir, you are one of the few people that has such a great narration style and way explaining things. I really appreciate the help the teaching and the great video. Keep up the good work

I found this while figuring how to evenly put up the rail myself. Pushpins and yarn. Brilliant! Thank you so much.

Watched several putting these up. Your the first to give the best detail on attaching it and cutting/attaching the end pieces. Now l can do mine right

Am building a portable outdoor 4-step stairway for our priest to step up to a 24-foot trailer that is used outside for an alter during Mass on warm sunny days. Everything I need to know to build a hand rail is in this video. Thank you for making and sharing this video! :0)

Thanks Hunter for sharing how to do handrails. The pace in which you demonstrated how to do it was much appreciated. I’m currently installing mine now.

Thanks Hunter I followed your video to the exact and now I have a professional great looking stairway. The 45 deg. Corners look amazing. I couldn’t have done it without you. thank you very much!

This is the most thorough tutorial video I've ever seen on doing anything on RU-vid. My insurance company requires me to install handrail and I didnt want to have to spend so much hiring someone. I'm going to try this on my own. Thanks for making this video

I seriously appreciate you doing this video. Have to go build one for Mom in law's stairs!

I just want to say I love the content. I can see the quality in your work. I've been doing finish carpentry for about 15 years now. Another tip for getting the ends tight to the wall is loosing the screws in the wall just a touch before you attach screws into the bottom of the rail. Once that is done tighten the screws in the wall. It will suck it in alot tighter.

Best video anywhere for doing this, clear and easy to follow, Ty this was so handy and I was able to do all my rails, now need a outside step video.

Thanks so much for this video. Thorough, to the point, with a mind to code and best practices. My friend's handrail just bit the dust, and having seen your video I realize it was doomed from the start. No returns, no liquid nails, and just two wall mount brackets holding the whole rail! So the handrail staying in place was entirely dependent on 4 screws managing the stress. It was bound to come off sooner or later, I just wish it didn't happen to my friend because we now need to fix it (landlord is not gonna do this right). Glad there are a few inches window for the height of the handrail, so I don't have to try and secure the screws in the exact area where they were already yanked out. Gonna ask my friend about cutting some returns, hopefully he'll go for it so we can leave the handrail sturdier than we found it. Thanks again!

Thanks Hunter. Just installed my hand rail and went up like a charm!

Nice Job - Very Helpful - My first two story home and I was a bit anxious to do the handrail to code. But you made it crystal clear!!! One thing - if it is warped you could suggest they use a piece of 2x4 as they are 1.5 inches wide to ensure when getting the warp out its still 1.5" from wall. Again WELL DONE

Great detail on installing the railing. I watched several times. So helpful.

Thank you so much. Our stair rail got knocked off the wall and I wasn’t sure how to install a new one. I now have the confidence to do so knowing that it will meet code. Not sure our old handrail was installed properly.

Hi Hunter. Thank you so much for posting this. You made it very simple to understand for the novice.

Thanks! Made my installation so much easier.

Hunter, Excellent video. You go step by step in a very organized manner - you're a Craftsman who can also teach well. Thank you!

This was incredibly clear. Thank you so much!

Thank you! You folks that do these videos are everyday heroes!

You should have your own television show! Very well done!

One of the best tutorials I've seen. Thank you!

Thank you very much for the excellent explanation. Details and slow speaking English. You are great!

watched another video, it was confusing. loved yours, you got right to the point. easy to follow.

I am a teacher and YOU are a great teacher. Your cameraman captures your every detailed instruction. Bravo! I have subscribed. Thank you for now making this task possible for me to do.

Thanks for this…really needed this exact video for knowledge.

Best tutorial that I have ever watched! We are off to Lowe's to buy brackets!

Started off kind of cheesy but it got really good once you started talking about building codes and stuff. Got yourself a new SUBSCRIBER 😎

This helped me check off another honey-do on the list. Thank you 🙏

Just wanted to say thank you for doing this video. I'm new to woodworking and general DIY projects around the house and the way you taught the process was fantastic. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise. I finished my railing and just need to stain/finish it. For those in the same boat as me (aka. inexperienced), I have a few cautions. Be careful with the glue and nail gun with the returns. Hunter makes it look super easy (because he's good) but for someone with little experience, it can be tricky. For instance, my returns didn't fit perfect so I fumbled around with them causing me to have some issues getting a clean insertion with the nail gun. Even if not perfect, I wouldn't worry too much as sanding corrected the mistakes. The other issue I had was actually drilling the damn screws into the wall for the mounts. I did not drill a pilot hole at first and only got the screw about halfway in. After drilling pilots and using a little wax (the screws were a little bigger than most), it went in without any trouble. Anyways, just wanted to share some experiences for those giving this a try. Keep up the good work Hunter. You're really helping a lot of people with what you do!

Great video with clear instructions and key quality points. I’m a weekend warrior so to speak and have a future stair project. This video is a great resource for me. Thanks so much!

Great explanation. But wear safety glasses when sawing please.

Mimicked everything you did to a T. Perfect as it can get!

Great job…nice clear instructions.

No BS- Outstanding Video in Every Aspect!!

About to fit one for myself and my wife! Very detailed information and spot on. Thanks!

Bro you dangerous when it comes to doing your craft , super easy and sharp and smart continue on with your good works. Also for our eyes 👀 the public keep it coming , want to watch and learn more " BOSS MAN! ".

Great video. I was breaking my head planning compound cuts. Your simple 45 cuts do the job just fine. I used PL Construction Adhesive because I had some already opened. Extremely solid now. Take my like and a thank-you.

Good job on this video, very informative and easy to follow. I had been wondering about the measurements for the returns , due to code requirements. Thanks you

Excellent video! Thank you for clear, concise instructions.

This guy is good at explaining things, wow!

Nice video! I’m putting in two for a client this week and you have answered all my questions on how to do it right - bravo brother.

Awesome video. Super helpful for the DIY people like me.

Great step by step instruction, especially those special tips to make sure the job was professionally done. Thanks heaps.

This was very helpful! I feel prepared to install my handrail now! I will look for more videos by you Hunter. Please keep em coming!

Thanks.. This video will be great help on my project

Good job Hunter, one of best explanations of any job. You have very good teaching skills

My sister is rehabbing at home after back surgery and I'm thinking about installing another handrail on the opposite wall so she has 2 to hold on to when she's able to climb her stairs. Her stairway is similar to this one. Thanks for this video!

Good job explaining and showing us the project.

Did this step by step today and it came out great, thank you!

Thanks for the concise instructions and tools needed for the job! You make it look easy so fingers crossed!🤞

Thank you for this video brother! I’ve been dreading the handrail installation after my home renovation, but this put everything into perspective. 👍

I think you did a terrific job explaining the process for installing the hand rail to code. You did overlook the spacing of the brackets. For code do I need to plan spacing a specific amount of 48” more or less?

I need to install a handrail and couldn't figure out how to deal with the ends. The 45 degree "return" was so good. Thanks!

Excellent video. I am looking forward to checking out your other content. Showing the "doing it to code" aspect is as excellent as the way you present the job to us in a DIY for the everyman. Thank you!

Thanks for the great video. Railing looks great.

dude, you are awesome! I'm a trim carpenter myself so I'm always looking for tips. you should have a tv show. Props brother

if the wall is already painted, you can use baby power in a chalk line so it's easy to come off. Good video, I always like to see how others approach jobs.

You are a great trade school teacher,thank you so much

Gracias señor muy buena la explicación aprendi mucho de su trabajo, y gracias por ser humilde y no demandar suscribirse, por eso me voy a suscribir a su canal gracias adelante ¡¡¡¡

Great explanation, you do excellent job. Congratulations body. I will install my stairs hand rails now. God bless

Thank you! Heading to Home Depot now.

Thank you for the great video, I'm going to replace a couple of hand rails soon.

Very helpful tutorial! You helped make the installation of my new hand rail the easiest part of my stair case remodel!

GREAT VIDEO! well done.... cept' NO EYE PROTECTION! & CAPTURE THAT SAW DUST NO NEED TO BE BREATHING THAT IN!!!!!!

Nice explanation and detail on 'how to' for each step, well done.

Excellent video, very informative and great step by step instructions.

Спасибо за видео! Я собираюсь заняться лестницей и это видео было интересно посмотреть

The Fanny thing is,that I’m an automotive mechanic,but I have the hope,that one day I going to put in practice in my home, what I’m learning from your videos.Thank you so much.

it shows that you enjoy what you do brother blessings

Fantastic job in presenting the information!

Thank you much for this usedfull video, I have had learn one new skill from you.

great vid, clearly explained

This was incredibly helpful. Great job!!

Mate, an amazing video, great detail, and really confident. Great work.

Great video. Well explained and well filmed.

Thank you for the video. Loved it. Would have loved it much more if you had worn safety glasses while using the compound miter saw and hearing protection. You only get 2 eyes in this life buddy so protect them.

Excellent video . You explained it perfectly.

GREAT video!!!! Wonderful job on conveying knowledge without wasting time. Love the enthusiasm as well. Gonna install a handrail today and this was excellent instructions. Look forward to watching more of your videos.