Many of our customers buy from us with the intention of building an entire new staircase but there are a lot of people who are just looking for one particular stair part. It may be that they need to replace a broken component or they just want to give their stairs a new look by changing one thing, such as a spindle.
Spindles are a vital safety feature on staircases, preventing people or objects falling through, as well as offering additional support for the handrails. They are also a key design feature and changing the spindles can give a staircase a whole new look.
Here are some steps to take if you’re considering replacing one or all of your staircase spindles:
First, remove the existing spindle. The easiest way to do this is to place a block of wood next to the base of the spindle and hit the block with a hammer or rubber mallet. This will loosen the spindle from the nails holding it in place, making it easier to remove. If you’re only removing that spindle, be careful when using the hammer as you could damage the others. Use pliers to prise the nails out of the handrail and baserail and you should then be able to remove your spindle.
Using a mitre saw, cut your new spindle to the correct length, matching the one you’ve just removed, and sand it down if necessary.
Once it’s the correct length, insert the top of the spindle into the hole under the handrail. It will be at an angle at first, so carefully tap it into position, until it is vertical. If you’re replacing more than one spindle, simply keep repeating the process as required.
If you don’t feel confident enough to change a spindle yourself, UK Stair Parts offers an online service that allows you to find a fitter near you. That’s in addition to a wide range of quality stair components, including spindles, in a variety of sizes and if you’re replacing a broken part, you can even have new parts made to match your old ones so you won’t be left with the choice of having an odd spindle or getting a whole new set.