Need advice from all you handymen/women

[Christy]

The flooring folks don't do bannisters. I really want new bannisters to go up my stairs. I currently have those really ugly cast iron (70's flashback) bannisters.

Is it a simple job to do them yourself with the stuff you get at lowes, or would one recommend hiring a professional?

 

[Bogart]

Good question; I got them ugly shits in my house, too.

 

[morganj614]

I recommend getting the 'In A Fix' crew to your house and letting me have Sparky.. TIA

 

[morganj614]

So we can cuss full out now??

 

[Bogart]

It must have been a lot more humid in the 70s for builders to install all-weather railing indoors. Do any of you remember what the weather was like in you house back in the 70s?

 

[pixiegirl]

I recommend getting the 'In A Fix' crew to your house and letting me have Sparky.. TIA

We are related. I LOVE him.

Just keep them off Christy. I took mine off!

 

[Bogart]

Just keep them off Christy. I took mine off!

That doesn't violate housing code?

 

[Christy]

We are related. I LOVE him.

Just keep them off Christy. I took mine off!

I would, but I don't want to find Pal (or Chasey) at the bottom of the stairs with a broken hip. Wood stairs = slippery.

 

[cattitude]

I took mine off!

Well, that explains why I almost broke my leg when coming down your steps. I even commented about one of the kids taking a nose dive. I figured it was a builders' flaw..I had no idea you did it on purpose.

 

[pixiegirl]

Well, that explains why I almost broke my leg when coming down your steps. I even commented about one of the kids taking a nose dive. I figured it was a builders' flaw..I had no idea you did it on purpose.

I'm more concerned with a certain 3 year old sticking his head inbetween the rails and getting it stuck. (My nephew did do this at my parents house.) Then I am with him falling over the 1 1/2 foot edge where there's no rail.

 

[kwillia]

Christy, I have an oak staircase in my new addition. The oak railing my builder used was something I do believe you and Steve could install on your own. The spindles were joined to the top railing via hinges. This allows you to mount the railing extactly where you wanti it and the spindles would always be spaced evenly apart from each other at the angle you needed it. It is expensive to buy it this way verses if you bought the rails and spindles yourself, but it pays for itself in the long run because you won't have to hire anyone to install it for you. My builder chose that because it saves him money in the long run because of the time it saves him with setting the railing. You should check into it. I will dig around online to see if I can find what I'm talking about.

 

[Christy]

I'm more concerned with a certain 3 year old sticking his head inbetween the rails and getting it stuck. (My nephew did do this at my parents house.) Then I am with him falling over the 1 1/2 foot edge where there's no rail.

Pssst, you need to think of the old people! They need handrails to go down stairs in case their hip goes out!

 

[Christy]

Christy, I have an oak staircase in my new addition. The oak railing my builder used was something I do believe you and Steve could install on your own. The spindles were joined to the top railing via hinges. This allows you to mount the railing extactly where you wanti it and the spindles would always be spaced evenly apart from each other at the angle you needed it. It is expensive to buy it this way verses if you bought the rails and spindles yourself, but it pays for itself in the long run because you won't have to hire anyone to install it for you. My builder chose that because it saves him money in the long run because of the time it saves him with setting the railing. You should check into it. I will dig around online to see if I can find what I'm talking about.

Now that's what I'm talkin about! Something idiot proof! Thanks!

 

[morganj614]

Pssst, you need to think of the old people! They need handrails to go down stairs in case their hip goes out!

Or drink too much. If there is no rail then I am going to put my hands all over your wall as I do your steps.

 

[cattitude]

Pssst, you need to think of the old people! They need handrails to go down stairs in case their hip goes out!

 

[Vince]

The flooring folks don't do bannisters. I really want new bannisters to go up my stairs. I currently have those really ugly cast iron (70's flashback) bannisters.

Is it a simple job to do them yourself with the stuff you get at lowes, or would one recommend hiring a professional?

Cast Iron!!!

If hubby is not real real handy, hire a professional.

 

[pixiegirl]

Pssst, you need to think of the old people! They need handrails to go down stairs in case their hip goes out!

Well since Otter only visits instead of living there he can use the bathroom downstairs.

 

[Suz]

Or drink too much. If there is no rail then I am going to put my hands all over your wall as I do it on your steps.

fixed

 

[huntr1]

The flooring folks don't do bannisters. I really want new bannisters to go up my stairs. I currently have those really ugly cast iron (70's flashback) bannisters.

Is it a simple job to do them yourself with the stuff you get at lowes, or would one recommend hiring a professional?

You can do it yourself. I can help if you want.

 

[Daddy_O]

they have the material at lowes so you can do it yourself. You just need to know the measurement for the railing length so you can buy the right one. All you need is a saw in case the length you have to buy is longer than needed, sand paper to sand after the cut and a drill to do the holders (I am sure this is the professional term...) and to secure the railing in place.