Building a Craftsman Style Staircase and Handrail

Design and Fabrication

In this episode, I help a Colorado Springs Client remodel their staircase. The existing staircase was a straight run with an outdated style. I redesigned it to have open-ended steps with a craftsman handrail.

Summary

Staircase Design Update and Fabrication

Brian discussed his process of updating a staircase’s design. The clients wanted to change the style to an open-ended track, which required modifications to the wall. Brian marked the rise and run of the staircase on the drywall and cut it out using a Sawzall. He also had to remove the treads from the skirting board and cut new stringers. He reframed the wall in sections to maintain structural integrity and nailed them to the existing studs. Before starting the project, Brian fabricated all the necessary components at his workshop.

Staircase and Handrail Construction Process

Brian discussed his process for creating a staircase and handrail. He detailed how he milled and glued together various components, including the nosing, treads, and spindles. He also explained how he used a domino joiner for efficiency and prefinished the inside edges of the spindle units. Brian also shared his methods for reducing tear-out and chatter when routing and how he used a custom-cut handrail profile. He concluded by recommending the use of a building codebook for accurate information.