How to Install Railing on Concrete Steps

If you want to install a railing on concrete steps or a concrete wall, we're here to help. While it may seem like a tough task, it's simpler than you may think. We'll show how easy it can be to attach a railing to concrete using a Simple Rail handrail kit.

Here's how you do it...

Before Installing an Outdoor Handrail on Concrete Steps

The very first thing that you want to do is survey your location. Make sure that it will be a suitable place for a railing. Determine where you can mount your handrail flanges. This could be on the stairs, the upper sidewalk, or on a wall.

Once you know that, then you can pick a handrail kit that’s right for you. You can contact our specialist if you need help choosing the right one.

Gather Your Equipment

Make sure to gather your tools and equipment. This may seem like an obvious step. But think about how many times you’ve started a project and had to make multiple trips back and forth to get this tool or that part. Let’s take care of that from the beginning.

Here are the tools to use while installing your handrail:

• Hammer Drill (for concrete)
• Standard Drill (for pipe)
• Allen Wrench
• Socket Set
• Hammer
• Tape Measure
• Vacuum
• Sharpie Marker

Test Fit Your Handrail

The next step is to test fit your railing. Put the railing together without drilling any holes. You can lightly tighten the set screws if necessary to help keep things in place. A friend may be needed.

This will help ensure that the handrail height and length will line up with where your mounting points will be located before any holes are drilled or cuts made.

It’s the age-old adage, “Measure twice, cut once”.

Attaching Your Handrail Flange on Concrete

Before you start any drilling or attachments, make sure that you clean the area. This will help ensure proper contact and make it safer to work around.

There are two different types of flanges that you may use when installing your handrail for concrete. You have a ground-based flange and a wall-based flange. I will point out the differences between the two as we move forward.

Mark Holes for the Flange on the Ground or Wall

This is simple. Place the flange on the ground or the wall where you will install the railing. Then mark the holes with a sharpie marker.

Drill Holes for Your Anchors

Put the flange aside. You should clearly see where the holes need to be placed for your anchors. Grab your hammer drill and drill into the concrete at each of the marked locations. Make sure you use the appropriate drill bit for the anchor you are using. Anchor types will be different for the ground than the wall.

To ensure proper contact, make sure you clean out any debris you made from drilling the holes. You can do this with a brush or the vacuum you remembered to get while gathering your equipment.

Attach Your Flange with the Right Anchors

Once upon a time, we used threaded rods that you had to hammer into the hole and cut off the excess with a hacksaw. We have seen the light and now use sleeve anchors, which are much easier to install.

Place your ground flange over the appropriate holes and insert your sleeve anchors. Hammer them down until they are flush against the flange. Then use a wrench to tighten them down, causing connection to the concrete.

For the wall, place the flange against the wall, lining up with the holes you drilled, and use concrete screws to fasten the flange to the concrete wall. Tapcon screws work great for this!

When installing the wall flange, you want to make sure it’s at the angle the handrail requires. If you are using a post for the other connection, then install the post first so you know what will work. If all your connections are wall mounted, grab a buddy and line them up correctly so you don’t have to redrill your holes.

Building The Railing on Your Concrete Steps

There are two types of connections for your handrail: a wall mount and a post. We’ll start with the post.

First, slide the pipe into the flange. Then tighten the corresponding set screws using an Allen key.

Now you can attach the handrail bracket to the top of the pipe that you just tightened down. Slide the bracket onto the top of the pipe and tighten the set screw to secure it.

The wall mount would have been installed in the previous step, so let’s move on to installing the handrail.

Attaching the Handrail

Place the handrail over the brackets you just installed and line it up to the proper position. Then mark holes on the handrail where you will be attaching it to the brackets.

With the holes marked you can place the handrail in a clamp or on sturdy surface to drill the pilot holes.

Line up the handrail with the bracket and attach it using self-drilling screws.

Finally, with everything attached, the only thing left to do is hammer on the end caps. Use a soft edge mallet to protect the railing and secure the end caps onto the pipe.

Your Next “Concrete” Steps

There you have it.

That's how you can attach railing to a concrete base and/or concrete wall. Working with a Simple Rail handrail kit is that simple.

Once you’ve determined what type of railing connections you can use (see the first step), then review our wide variety of stair railing kits to determine which one is right for you.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure. Our team of experts is available to answer your questions and help you figure out what handrail is right for you.

Contact us today and we will be happy to assist you!