How To Fit Stair Spindles

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO FIT STAIR SPINDLES

Whether you’re replacing a broken spindle or just giving your stairs a facelift, this step-by-step guide will take you through the process of how to fit stair spindles in an easy to follow manner.

But first things first, if you have a broken spindle it’s worth identifying whether it can be repaired.  Usually a spindle that has split along the grain line can be repaired in situ.  Simply apply PVA glue into the split, squeeze the wood together, and then wipe over the surface with a damp rag.  Then to help the glue set, bind your spindle together with waxed string or self-adhesive tape.  Once dry, remove the string/tape and voila your spindle will be as good as new!

LEARN HOW TO FIT STAIR SPINDLES IN A FEW SIMPLE STEPS

STEP 1

When replacing stair spindles the first thing to do is to purchase your replacement spindle/s.  You’ll find a wide range of ready turned spindles available in our brochure, covering both traditional and modern styles, click here to find out more.  If you’re replacing a single spindle it’s important that you try to match the style of the others exactly.

STEP 2

The next step in our guide on how to fit stair spindles is to identify how your current spindles are fitted in place.  Ordinarily spindles are either housed or stub-tenoned into the underside of the handrail, and also to the edge of a closed string or the treads of an open-stringed staircase.  Sometimes however they can be butt-jointed and secured with nails, or are housed at the bottom but nailed at the top.  To detect a nail fixing simply feel the surface of the spindle to see if there is a slight bump or hollow, which would indicate the presence of a nail (if the wood is stripped this should be more obvious).

STEP 3

So now you’ve identified how your current spindles are fitted in place how do you go about removing them?

• A butt-jointed and nailed spindle can be removed by pushing its top end backwards and its bottom end forwards.  It it’s housed at the bottom, it can be pulled out once the top is free.
• If your spindle is housed at both end it will need to be removed by cutting through the shoulder line of the joint on the underside of the handrail.  It can then pulled out of the lower casing.
• When a spindle is fitted into an open string you’ll need to carefully prise the moulding which covers the end of the tread off.  Then you’ll need to push the bottom end of the spindle sideways out of its housing, pulling it downwards to disengage it from the handrail housing.

STEP 4

Right so with the old spindle removed you’re now ready to install its replacement.

Start by using the old spindle as a guide and mark out the required length on the new spindle, as well as marking out and cutting the ends.  Or alternatively you can use a sliding bevel to identify the angle of the handrail and string, using the bevel marks to mark where the new spindle needs to be cut.  You should fit and fix the new spindle in reverse order to how the old one was fixed.

To replace a spindle that is housed at both ends in a closed-string staircase, you’ll firstly need to trim off the corner of the top tenon and then place the bottom tenon into its housing, swinging the top end of the spindle into place.

So there you have it, now you know how to fit stair spindles!

MORE INFO ON STAIR SPINDLES

We hope you found our guide on ‘how to fit stair spindles’ useful.  If you require further technical planning advice for purchased stair parts please don’t hesitate to get in touch.