We removed the old handrail that was not up to code and didn't reach the first step of the stairs as required. We have a traditional guardrail installed on one side and we are having difficulties trying to find a good method of continuous transition on the other side, that has a wall angled 45 deg away with the first two steps. The handrail needs to terminate on the first step, not near the third.
Since we have traditional handrails, we can't make a simple miter cut because the short piece's top orientation will start to point away from the wall. With circular handrails, this is not a problem as there's not top/bottom.
How can we get a good/decent transition?
Stair slope: 41.5 deg
Inner angle of walls: 135 deg leveled (following the handrail path, the inner angle becomes 145 deg)
Stairs
Trouble wall
Example cut showing rotation needed to remain upright and proper distance
Traditional handrails being used
Best Answer
Typically it is done with a miter cut to get to level, or up easement, then a 45 degree level turn , then another miter cut to resume the angle or over easement, this will get the job done. You can do it with all on-site miters, or you can purchase "fixtures"... parts that are "pre-bent" to make smooth turns. Where I have "up easements" or "level turns" or "over easements" is the names applied to these fixtures I referred too.
I would suggest using glue and "biscuits" to join these parts together, since they will be small enough so there will be no strength in just using screws alone.
