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Colo_Native's avatar
Colo_Native
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016

Stair rail

Anyone put in a stair rail in there FW? I am looking to do this but not sure the best way to find a stud on the exterior wall, will a regular stud finder work? Do you use metal screws since the studs are metal.
  • I found a stainless hand rail that fit between our door & window. Tucked the flange beneath the door & window aluminum framing. The incline was near perfect and most of the screws found a solid purchase in the door or window framing.

    Installed it for my DW after her knee replacement & find we both use it a lot. Sure beats using the kitchen counter for a braking device.
  • I went with the Glow Guide rail on out fifth.
    Only takes a few minutes to install or remove.
    Wife loves the help it gives her getting in and out of the fifth.
    After hip surgery she has difficulty getting around even with a walker.
  • I installed a stainless steel handle that folds to the side, before installing I had the wife stand on the bottom step to see where it was more convenient and comfortable for her,I marked the area and installed the unit, all the screws hit the metal frame next to the door, in summer I place a foam tube the ones you use on hot water lines so no one gets burnt with the heat from the unit being in the sun.

    navegator
  • Colo Native wrote:
    I forgot to mention it is on the inside.
    That is what I thought. The hand rail I referenced was a 2' grab bar sourced at our local Ace Hardware.
  • SCClockDr wrote:
    Colo Native wrote:
    I forgot to mention it is on the inside.
    That is what I thought. The hand rail I referenced was a 2' grab bar sourced at our local Ace Hardware.

    You were the only one that knew. Was it hard to find studs to anchor to?
  • Colo Native wrote:
    SCClockDr wrote:
    Colo Native wrote:
    I forgot to mention it is on the inside.
    That is what I thought. The hand rail I referenced was a 2' grab bar sourced at our local Ace Hardware.

    You were the only one that knew. Was it hard to find studs to anchor to?

    NO
    I wedged the rail flanges under the aluminum door and window flanges. This placed most of the screw holes lined up to penetrate the respective framing members. It was quite solid.

    Will do the same in our (new to us) unit. I salvaged the original rail from our unit that got totaled in our yard by an errant driver.
  • For the inside steps to the bedroom, I installed a grab bar.
    Took off the interior paneling next to the door framing, VERY CAREFULLY, and installed additional framing for the screws to anchor to then re-installed the paneling.
    Did the same in the toilet room.

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