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Woodworking Remodeling Design Dilemma

Need Help- Where the railing should end up into the column or post

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi Houzzers

We are finishing up our basement and we opened up the wall at the stair case - the problem is there is a column near the end of stair case. the distance between stair case and column is about 10 inches. I need help to decide what I should do with the railing. Should the railing end in the column Or should the railing end on the staircase and a post is put in the 10 inch gap between the staircase and the column. I have attached a picture so it's easier to visualize, thanks everyone for your help!

Featured Answer

Sammie J

3 years ago

I'd probably run the bottom "wall" all of the way from the step to the column (instead of ending 10" short of the column). Square it up, so the "wall" is parallel to the floor. So, from the side, you would only see the wall, not the opening between the bottom step and the column as it is currently constructed. Then, incorporate the column into the railing system.

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Comments (7)

H Masood
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your input, I suggested doing that. However, the problem is the column is thicker than the wall and I was told that it cannot be aligned with the wall. It is aligned with the stairs from the inside but from the wall side it is much thicker. Which is why I am stumped as to what to do.
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IMHO, this does not look good at all. I would not except this solution. It looks like you just slapped up a piece of molding. It needs to be integrated more with the existing chair rail and base molding. If you move it over to start under the chair rail, it would be too close to the boxed out trim. If you want it to look like it is meant to be this way, he really needs to move the trim under the chair rail and shorten the width of the box so the spacing is the same as the distance between other boxes. Also, the trim piece should not stand proud of the base piece. You need someone that knows how to rework this to look professional.
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Sammie J
3 years ago
Just align it with the stair wall ... the column can "stick out" from that wall a bit. You can add molding to make it look intentional.
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H Masood thanked Sammie J
Kate
3 years ago
Is a railing necessary since you have one on the other side?
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Maureen
3 years ago
Idea to resolve safety issue as well the bottom of stair problem
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H Masood
Original Author
3 years ago
yes railing is necessary as it is the continuation of upstairs So it will look consistent. The pictures that you sent are very nice and I think they'd be a great solution, thanks!
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PRO
MBH Carpentry and Joinery Ltd.
3 years ago
As Sammi J said Continue stair wall into column then run handrail and base rail into column where it needs to be. Then remove the current moulding on the stair string as I assume you are having a skirting board fitted. This will then run continually from the stair string around the column and return along the stair wall on the room side.
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H Masood thanked MBH Carpentry and Joinery Ltd.

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