Stair where banister/balustrade meets ceiling

[Muzz]

Hi,

My stairs currently have old style horizontal panels for the banister, at the top is just a wall.

I plan to install handrail spindles, remove part of the wall at the top and install a handrail there.

My handrail can't go right to the top as it would partially merge with the ceiling. I've done a fair bit of searching on the net and it seems the two pictures I've found are the way to get round this.

Any joiners have any comments, it seems a bit unorthodox not having a handrail right to the top!

 

[Symptoms]

Muzz - not a bit unorthodox at all; it's the common way to do it if you don't have a wide staircase.

 

[Muzz]

cool, good to know!

I just don't think i've ever been on a staircse with it like that before.

 

[always-diying]

I also have a staircase that looks like this and am planning to do something similar.

My question relates to the 2nd pic - this is like my set up except I have a wall on the right hand side upstairs instead of another handrail.

The white horizontal board shown which runs along the roof to the top of the stairs - what is this for and can it be removed?

 

[Muzz]

I also have a wall, which i'm removing and replacing with a handrail.

My current stairs do not have that board you are refering to, I wasn't planning on fitting that either, just leaving it plastered, unless i really make a mess taking the wall down, in which case either I'll re-plaster or fit a board like that.

My stairs in my old house had it, I think it's just decorative, as behind it will be a joist holding the floor up.

 

[always-diying]

I showed this picture to a joiner, who said due to building regulations I also need a handrail on the opposite wall.

Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[Symptoms]

the white horizontal board is a trimming piece used to cover the joist ends or to face the rough saw surface of a joist (depending on the orientation of these) and are generally nailed on. They also afford a degree of protection to the edge of the ceiling plaster.