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Installation Guide: Handrails for steps

Welcome to handrail installation made easy with Hold Tight Handrails. We are happy to take away the stress of drilling and concrete to give you safety and independence quickly and easily. The two to three step handrails are perfect for garage steps, short staircases like your porch, and more while providing durability that is sure to last. Want to install them yourself? Check out our guides for each type, wall mounted or jamb mounted, to see how you can install the railings.

Jamb Mount Installation, Wall Mount Installation
Jamb Mount Installation Instructions

New Jamb Mount Hold Tight Handrail

Thank you for purchasing a Hold Tight Handrail! You are well on your way to greater security and peace of mind in your home. Let’s get started with installation. 

(Don't have your Hold Tight Handrail yet? Take a look at our jamb-mount handrails.)

Tools Required: 

  • Drill
  • Tape Measure 
  • Pencil
  • 5/32" drill bit 
  • Phillips bit
  • Included screws: 

3 - 3.5 inch long stainless steel screws (for the front of the handrail) 

2 - 3 inch long stainless steel screws (for the side of the handrail) 

Step 1: Decide on the installation height of your handrail 

Typical commercial code is between 34"-38" from the floor. We recommend 36", because that’s the height of a standard doorknob. With that in mind, you are free to install your home handrail at whatever height best suits the user. 

Step 2: Set your railing into position 

Make sure your handrail is lined up properly with the door, and mark holes with a pencil.

Jamb Mount Handrail positioned with pencil marking holes

Step 3: Pre-drill your holes 

Using a 5/32" drill bit, pre-drill all five marked holes.

Pre-drill Jamb Mount Handrail holes

Step 4: Mount your handrail 

With your jamb mount handrail, you will receive 2 - 3 inch stainless steel screws for the side and 3 - 3.5 inch stainless steel screws for the front. Using your Phillips bit and drill, mount the handrail in place with all five screws.

Mount Jamb Mount Handrail using drill

Altered view mounting Jamb Mount Handrail

Installation is complete! You are now ready to navigate your stairs with greater confidence. If you have any questions, check out our installation guides or contact us.

Man using Jamb Mount Handrail

Shop Jamb Mount Handrails

 

Wall Mount Installation Instructions

Thank you for purchasing a Hold Tight Handrail! You’re one step closer to peace of mind in your home. Together, let’s install your wall mount handrails. 

(Don't have your Hold Tight Handrail yet? Take a look at our wall-mount handrails.)

Tools Required: 

  • Stud Finder 
  • Tape Measure
  • Drill 
  • Pencil
  • 5/32" drill bit 
  • Phillips bit
  • Included screws: 6 stainless steel screws 
  • Optional: painter's tape to mark studs
  • Optional: plywood board for installation locations without at least two stud anchors - see below for details

Step 1: Decide on the installation height and location of your Hold Tight Handrail 

Typical commercial code is between 34"-38" from the floor. We recommend 36", because that is the height of a standard doorknob. With that in mind, you are free to install your home handrails at whatever height best suits the user. 

Man holding Wall Mount Handrail on wall

Step 2: Locate the studs and determine if you need a wall board for safe installation 

The screw holes on your mounting bracket closest to the door will almost always connect with a stud, but sometimes the screw holes on the far side of the mounting bracket do not. Using a stud finder, locate and then mark the location of your studs onto painter's tape. If the location you intend to install on does not have a stud behind the far side screws, then you should install a wall board. If your screws can safely connect to your studs, skip to step 4.

Diagram showing Wall Mount Handrail holes nearest door connect to stud

Marking wall with stud finderMark far side of stud using stud finder 

Step 3: If needed, install a wall board 

You will need to use a board long enough to properly span the length of your studs. For this demonstration, we used a 20" wide x 14" tall x 3/4" thick plywood board, but your board may need to be a different length. Measure the distance between studs to determine the ideal size. It can be painted the same color as your wall to blend in.

Example wall board for Wall Mount Handrail

Mark the other studs that’ll be behind your wall board.

Mark wall board studs for Wall Mount Handrail

Set your board into place, and pre-drill holes to line up with the studs. We recommend a line of 3 screws on each stud to be sure the wall board is secure.

Pre-drill holes for Wall Mount wall board

 Secure the wallboard with screws. We recommend 3 inch screws. 

Drill Wall Mount wall board

Step 4: Set the railing into position 

Make sure your handrail is lined up properly from the door, and mark holes with a pencil.

Mark Wall Mount Handrail holes

Mark holes for Wall Mount Handrail

Step 5: Pre-drill your holes 

Using a 5/32" drill bit, pre-drill all six marked holes.

Drill holes for Wall Mount Handrail

Drill holes for Wall Mount Handrail

Step 6: Mount your handrail 

With your wall mount handrail, you will receive 6 stainless steel screws. Using your Phillips bit and drill, mount the handrail in place with all 6 screws.

Mount Wall Mount Handrail with drill

Mount Wall Mount Handrail with drill

Installation is complete! You are now ready to navigate your stairs with greater confidence. If you have any questions on installation, feel free to contact us or email Steve at steve@holdtighthandrails.com.

Man using Wall Mount Handrail

Shop Wall Mount Handrails