If you’ve noticed that your stairs are looking old, tired and worn and have fallen deeply into despair, don’t worry, as you can easily refresh your tired staircase with a replacement balustrade. Replacing stair spindles, newel posts and rails can seem like a huge challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! You can easily do it yourself as a DIY project, especially if you’re used to working with wood. Focusing on upgrading these balustrade components can kick-start your home renovations and completely transform your hallway, making it look brand new, brighter and stunning once more.
But how do you achieve this by yourself? We know it can seem difficult to refresh your staircase by yourself, and certain systems are easier to fit than others, depending on the way in which the pieces are held together, so we’ve created this useful help guide to replacement stair spindles, newel posts and rails to help you accurately fit them and create a flawless finish. Find step-by-step instructions and recommendations for easier components to fit, such as our Metal and Glass Stair Parts by Cheshire Mouldings. Updating your 70s staircase has never been easier!
For more specific information or help regarding our balustrade/staircase products, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert sales team on 01691 671020 for further assistance.
Where to Start When Changing Stair Spindles
When it comes to changing stair spindles, newel posts and rails, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you begin, we’ve outlined some simple steps to follow so that you can refresh your staircase safely and accurately, all by yourself.
Understanding Your Staircase
Before you can replace spindles on a staircase or any other components, you need to understand your staircase and what each part is. Having this understanding can help you to know exactly what parts need changing to not only improve the aesthetic of your staircase, but also boost the safety and support it provides.
Base Rail
When you are thinking of your stair design, the base rail is likely to be far from your thoughts. A base rail is a small but important part of the design process. Not only does it add a beautiful finishing touch, but it also acts as an essential safety feature. Its purpose is to ensure that your stair spindles are securely held in position.
Handrail
A handrail is the rail that runs along the top of the spindles. Handrails can also be attached to the wall as a stand-alone fitting. Their main purpose is to be grasped by the hand of the user to provide them with stability and support when using the stairs.
Newel Caps
These are found on top of newel posts as a stunning finishing touch. Newel caps are what make your staircase look beautiful and finished.
Newel Posts
A newel post is the structural upright post that fits at the beginning and the end of a staircase and supports the handrail of a stair banister. The most important job of a newel post is to provide structural support, but that does not mean that they can't be used to improve the look and feel of your stairs.
Stair spindles
Spindles are the vertical struts that connect the handrail to the base rail of your staircase. These are one of the most noticeable features of your stairs and what instantly transforms the look and feel of your staircase. They can even impact the overall look and feel of your entire home!
Not sure how many stair spindles you need? Check out our simple stair spindle spacing guide here.
Risers
This is the board that forms the face of the step and can make your staircase look stunning.
Tip: The maximum individual rise for domestic staircase flights is 220mm.
Treads – This is the top or horizontal surface of a step.
Bullnose step - Typically at the bottom of the staircase with one or both ends of the step having a quarter circle design.
Going - The going of a flight of stairs is the horizontal distance between the face of the first and last risers.
Nosing - The edge of the tread projecting beyond the face of the riser and face of the cut string.
Cut or open string - A string with the upper edge cut away to the shape of the treads and risers so that their profile can be seen from the side.
Rise - The rise of a flight is the vertical distance between the floors or landings connected by the flight. The individual rise is the vertical measurement from the top of one tread to the top of an adjacent tread.
Winders – These are steps that are narrower at one end and are used to change the direction of the stairs through 90 or 180 degrees.
Choosing a Style of Staircase
Once you understand the components, you need to choose the style of staircase you want to go for. This will help you to pick the right components that create the look and feel you want and that suit the rest of your home, allowing you to match your replacement stair spindles, newel posts and rails flawlessly to your décor.
Chrome
For a fashionable and modern improvement in your home, why not invest in a chrome staircase? Both timber and metal are used to create a unique spindle for the staircase, as well as providing matching newel posts, hand and base rails and all the necessary assembly and finishing kits to make this installation a piece of cake.
Iron
If you want your home to be packed full of character and quirky features without renovating your entire house, then look no further than our iron finishes. Both ranges of iron balustrade come with everything you need to give your staircase a fresh new appearance. We stock the iron spindles, solid oak base and handrails as well as newel posts and wood adhesive.
Contemporary
If you are looking for a clean-cut, edgy look for your staircase, then our Stop Chamfered range is perfect for someone seeking that squared-off, timeless look. This instantly refreshes your stair area and improves the aesthetics of your entire home.
Traditional
Renovate your staircase with understated traditional replacement stair spindles and newel posts, such as our classic rolling pin range. Choosing the more traditional aesthetic instantly revives and renews the look of your staircase to completely transform your home.
Glass panels
A simple and easy way to open up your home and make it feel brighter and more spacious is to incorporate glass panels in your staircase. Forget traditional wooden spindles and opt for something a little more contemporary and modern for your home.
For more specific information or help regarding our balustrade/staircase products, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert sales team on 01691 671020 for further assistance.
Effective Preparation to Replace Spindles on a Staircase
To replace spindles on a staircase and other components, you need to effectively prepare your staircase. Carrying out the correct preparation ensures that your staircase is fitted correctly and accurately for stunning results that lasts.
Removing Your Existing Spindles and Handrail
The first part of preparation for changing stair spindles, newel posts and rails is to remove your existing spindles and handrail carefully. To do this precisely, we’ve outlined some simple steps below, depending on how your existing staircase parts are fitted together:
Housed and Housed and Nailed
If your existing spindles are housed or housed and nailed, carefully prise off the moulding that’s covering the tread and knock the bottom end of the spindle sideways out of its housing. Once this is done, pull it downwards to separate it from the handrail housing.
Housed at Both Ends
If your spindles and handrail are housed at both ends, then you need to remove them differently. This means that you should cut through the shoulder line of the joint on the underside of the handrail. Once it’s cut, pull your spindle out of the lower housing.
Butt Jointed and Nailed
For butt-jointed and nailed spindles, you need to drive the top end of your spindle backwards and its bottom end forwards. Once the top is freed, you can then pull it out of its housing.
Tip: If you wish to reuse the spindles, take care when removing as they may damage or snap.
Removing Your Existing Handrail
To safely and accurately remove your existing handrail, you need to start by undoing the handrail bracket bolts that are located near the newel posts. Carefully lift your handrail away when its loose.
For more specific information or help regarding our balustrade/staircase products, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert sales team on 01691 671020 for further assistance.
The Tools Needed for Replacing Bottom Newel Posts and Spindles
When it comes to replacing bottom newel posts, spindles and rails, you need to ensure that you have all the right tools needed before you begin. Without the right tools, you can find it extremely difficult to replace your staircase parts and make your new stair parts look flawless. You will need:
- Safety goggles
- Sliding Bevel
- Handsaw
- Hacksaw
- PVA woodworking adhesive
- Drill
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Try square
- Spanner
- Paint or varnish
- Hammer
- Chisel.
Step-by-Step Guide for the Replacement of Stair Spindles, Newel Posts and Rails
Once you have everything you need, it’s time to start the replacement of stair spindles, newel posts and rails. To help you do this precisely, we’ve created this step-by-step guide for you to follow.
Fitting Spigot Newel Posts
- To replace damaged or modified newel posts, you should cut them off, while leaving the joints between their bases and outer string intact.
- Mark diagonal lines across the remaining cut ends to identify their centres.
- Drill a hole into the centres of the remaining newel ends.
- Shape the cut ends of the old newel posts into a slightly curved contour.
- Set the new posts on top of the cut newel, but don't glue them just yet.
For more specific information or help regarding our balustrade/staircase products, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert sales team on 01691 671020 for further assistance.
Fitting the Rails
- Use a sliding bevel to measure the angle of the stair string where it meets the base of the newel.
- Following the angle of the string, hold the base rail against the staircase, and mark each end where it meets the newel posts.
- Using a sliding bevel and try square, mark out mitres at these points and cut the base rail to length.
- Mark and cut the handrail in the same manner.
- Screw the base rail to the string.
- Using the handrail brackets, fit the handrail in place, taking up the slack with a spanner.
- Check the newel posts are upright, and the handrail and base rail both fit properly.
- Glue the newel posts in place using a PVA woodworking adhesive (or if the joints are loose, use a gap-filling synthetic resin glue).
- Tighten the handrail bracket bolts.
- Once the glue has set, conceal the nuts using cover buttons.
Fitting the Spindles
- Firstly, calculate how many spindles you will need. The general rule of thumb is to allow 2 spindles per tread, and one spindle for the treads adjacent to the newel posts. Tip: Your spindles should be placed no more than 4 inches apart.
- Calculate the number of infill fillets you require by doubling the number of spindles and adding 4.
- Measure the vertical distance between the grooves in the handrail and base rail, using the sliding bevel to mark this dimension on the spindle.
- Cut the spindle to size and check the fit. When happy, repeat with the remaining spindles.
- Pin and glue the spindles and pre-cut spacer fillets in place.
- When the adhesive is set (if you are using bare wood), apply a finish of paint, coloured wood dye or clear varnish.
For more specific information or help regarding our balustrade/staircase products, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert sales team on 01691 671020 for further assistance.
