How to Install a Wood Railing on Concrete Steps

If you have a concrete porch and steps, adding a wood railing can help to add a touch of sophistication to the edge of your building. Wooden railings are more popular than iron, as wood will not need to be protected against rust, and is also easy to remove or repair. If you are considering installing wood railings onto concrete steps, then you should take the time to learn exactly what you need to do before starting. Even a home improvement beginner should be able to complete this project in less than a day, following a few simple steps to help you get the job done.

Step 1 - Preparing the Concrete

Clean your concrete thoroughly before you attempt to lay down any railings. Measure the concrete, and mark clearly where each post will be placed. Mark the position of each corner in order to be clear about where the drill bit will need to make a hole. Place the post-holders into the concrete, lining up each of the holders with the marks you have just made on the steps. You will need to remember that each step will take the wooden rails a little further down towards the ground, so carefully position the railing so that each part of the rail matches up with the steps. Don't allow the post-holders to dictate where the rails should go, but instead position them so that the rails are in perfect alignment.

Step 2 - Drilling the Concrete

Take your drill, and put in one of your concrete drill bits. Make sure that your bits are big enough to make holes which can take the bolts which will keep the post holes on the steps. There should be 2 or 4 holes which need to be drilled for each post holder. Make the holes for each post hole in turn, and then screw the post holder into position before moving on to the next step.

Step 3 - Fitting the Post-Holder

The post-holder should be screwed on to the concrete step using a socket wrench. Place the bolt on top of the post-holder screw hole, and then put a washer between the holder and the bolt. You may also want to add a second washer between the post-holder and the concrete step. Make sure that the post-holders are completely secure, and not prone to wobbling about. If the post-holder is stable, then you will be secure in walking down the concrete stairs using the wood railing.

Step 4 - Attaching the Wooden Railing

Position the railing posts in the holders. Make sure that the railings fit securely in the posts, trimming down the wood a little if necessary to get a secure fit. Once the railing is secure, you can use a wooden finish to make the posts waterproof and protected against mold and rot. You can then leave the wooden railing for as long as you wish to use it on the concrete steps.