My house has an interior stairway with a hand rail that extends the length of the full wall on one side and a hand rail with balusters that extends up the knee wall on the opposite side. I would like to add a hand rail to the upper portion of the stairs on the knee wall side.
This has been recommended by my wife’s Physical Therapist. (My wife had a stroke and has balance issues).
I have thought of a few possible scenarios:
Install the hand rail on the upper section of the wall and :
1. return it to the wall.
2. return it to the knee wall hand rail with angled cuts and a profile to meet the side of the handrail.
3. run it the entire length of the stairs and return it to the newel post.
I have seen ‘S’ sections of hand rails that would wrap the wall and attach to the hand rail. To make this work I would have to remove the handrail from the balusters and cut and fit…….I’m not a fan of this option although it might have the best look.
Thank You for your input.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

Self-installing an HVAC system requires a lot of thought and planning.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
I've been doing some reading and option 1 may be a no-no due to lack of continuity.
Option 2 my not be good due to questionable continuity.
Option 3 seems like the most user friendly and functional but may look funny with side-by- side handrails.
I am first of all not an employee of Acorn. But your stairway is perfect in my opinion to use their product for your wife.