Ranch style stair rail replacement

[Northern Scum]

We've a "ranch-style" staircase we'd like to replace with a conventional handrail/spindle job. How difficult would it be, bearing in mind the narrow gap and the fact we don't want to be swapping / cutting newels. Also, the centre "newel" half way up - what's it for? Extra support for the stairs or the landing? Looking at the stair planner type websites, nothing seems to address the misalignment of the handrails/newels on landing and stairs, unless one or the other set needs outriggers? Any staircase specialists on here be able to tell me what's needed, how hard it would be to do, and how many arms/legs/kidneys I'd have to sell to get something that looks right?

20170508_201308

• Northern Scum
• 9 May 2017

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• Northern Scum
• 9 May 2017

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• Northern Scum
• 9 May 2017

 

[JohnD]

the centre post has the purpose of damping the flapping and vibration of the rails.

I can only see one picture.

 

[Northern Scum]

Thank you. Odd, I can see three...... so the removal of the central mid-post would have no effect on the integrity/structure of either the staircase or the landing? That's a good start, "all" we have to do is sort out the alignment issues!

 

[Ian H]

The newels are in the wrong place for a normal spindle job aren't they?

 

[Northern Scum]

Yes, that's why I'm here. That's what I meant by "alignment issues."

 

[Ian H]

Oh yeah, sorry, missed that bit.

Sell a nut and get a new staircase, it might be cheaper and easier than altering yours.

Did you price one up on the planner websites? I got one with a 3 step turn on with 3 newels for £525+vat so I would guess yours would be less with it being straight. It was a local place and they measured it for me too.