Hello Lover.
Not even gonna lie, that’s what I say to this handrail each time it greets me.
I dare you not to say the same thing.
And you know what, Grunt and I DIY’ed this lucite handrail ourselves. You know what else? It was so damn easy.
Needless to say, it’s much prettier than a plain old wood handrail too.
DIY Lucite Handrail
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- 2″ Acrylic Rod cut to the length of your current handrail (don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through this in just a minute.)
- Two or more 2″ Brass Flush Center Posts (Depending on how long your rod is, you may need more than two. You can also get these in other finishes and widths if you don’t want to go with the 2″ acrylic rod. Also, do a google search for these. I found that it seems the various suppliers change the prices on these often, so there might be a better price elsewhere.)
- Sugru Moldable Glue
- Stud Finder
- Drill
- Heavy Duty Drywall Anchors (If you can’t find studs.)
Step 1.
First you’re going to need to order your acrylic rod cut to the length of your current handrail. I ordered my rod through Nationwide Plastics. All you do is go here (yes, it does say curtain rods on that page, but it’s the same thing), fill out the quote form and they will send you an email with a price and order information. It’s really simple.
My handrail is a 2″ diameter cell cast acrylic rod cut to a length of 80″. The rods come in 96″ lengths and you do have to pay for the whole rod even if you have it cut down, so the cost for my rod was $123.00. You can have them throw in the extra portion you had cut off for a craft project in the future. Also, unless you are going to cover the ends of the rail in some way, you’ll want to have each end of your rod polished so that it’s clear and not opaque. This is an additional $15, I believe.
Step 2.
Order the center posts in the diameter of your rod. Since I got a 2″ diameter rod, I ordered 2″ center posts. I only needed two mounts for my handrail. If you have a handrail that’s longer than mine, you may need three or more mounts.
Step 3.
Mount the center posts to the wall. To do this, locate studs in your wall first using a stud finder. Hopefully you will have a stud near the top and bottom of your handrail to mount the posts into like I did. If you don’t, you’ll want to use anchors first and then mount the posts to those.
Mount the posts approximately 32″ up from each step and angled the same or as close as you can get to the same angle as your steps. Figuring out the angle is best done with another person. To do this, I put the lucite rod through the posts, placed it against the wall at my 32″ up mark, then had Bill hold it in place and angle it as needed until I found the right angle for the handrail. When I did find the right angle, I used a pencil and marked inside the holes on the post where the screws would go then we took the handrail down, removed it from the posts, then mounted the posts to the wall right where I had made those marks. Make sense?
Now, please note this: I had enough room between walls where I was able to remove the rod from the posts, install the posts and then slide the rod back through the posts. If you don’t have enough room to do this, then you will want to keep your rod in place while you screw the posts to the wall. See the alternate instructions after step 4 for more detailed instructions on this method.
Step 4.
After we got our brackets in place and slid the rod into place, the rod would slide out because of the angle it was at. This may not be a problem for you – your stairs might not be as angled as mine were. However, if this is a problem for you, there is a simple solution. After you mount your posts to the wall and before sliding in the rod, cover the inside of the posts with Sugru.
Sugru is this moldable glue. It’s kind of like play-doh when you get it out of the package, but creates a strong bond to whatever its holding together when it dries.
You can see the Sugru inside the post here. Follow the package instructions for application and rub it thinly around in the post all the way around. Immediately after doing this, slide your lucite rod into the posts. Some of the Sugru will be pushed out, simply wipe it off with toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper – that’s what it suggests on the package. Be sure to clean any excess away right then though because if it dries, it’s there forever.
To keep the handrail from sliding out while the Sugru dries, come up with some form of redneck engineering to hold it in place.
Ours was a scrap piece of wood standing up vertically at the end of the handrail with the old school sewing machine keeping the scrap wood in place. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried, ya’ll.
The Sugru will dry overnight and then you can remove whatever method of redneck engineering you used. I am a firm believer in the Sugru after doing this project. This baby hasn’t budged once.
Now, let’s back up for just a second. Let’s say you don’t have enough space between walls where you are installing the lucite handrail to mount the posts first, then slide the rod in like I did. Here’s what I would do in that situation.
Alternate Instructions:
Step 1.
Order your rod to the length needed as I told you about above. Order your posts in the diameter needed as noted above.
Step 2.
Before mounting anything to the wall, go ahead and secure your rod to the posts with Sugru. Just apply the Sugru like I said above, slide the rod through and move your posts as needed to make them evenly spaced on the rod. Wipe off the excess Sugru. Place the rod somewhere that it can’t get kicked over (it will most likely stand up by itself on the posts) and let the Sugru harden overnight.
Step 3.
Mount your posts to the wall at the height and angle noted above. Have someone hold the rod in place while you determine the correct angle, then drill those posts into the wall. If there isn’t a stud where you need to mount the posts then mark the spots on the wall first, install drywall anchors, then mount the posts.
After mounting the posts you should be good to go.
I know that sounds like a lot, but really it’s an easy project. Just having someone to help you hold the rod and get the angles right is the hardest part.
Rug / Flooring / Wall Color / Trim Color
Here’s a shot from the bottom end of the staircase. It was difficult to photograph it from this angle, but you get the idea.
If you have any questions at all, please leave them for me in the comments! I’m happy to answer whatever I can to the best of my ability!
Do you see a DIY lucite handrail in your future?
Liked that? Then see this…
DIY Lucite Frame and Free Printable
Wow! I am loving this!
Thank you, Jennifer!
These are so dang pretty! I need more stairs!
Thanks, Maggie!! I feel the same way! hahaha!
The black walls and brass posts set off the Lucite to gorgeous perfection!
Thanks for posting and sharing!
Thank you, Patty! I think so too!
Jenna, wouldn’t the left over make an amazing towel bar…or cut to length any sizes for bar, also a toilet paper holder…..or a towel bar off a kitchen island. Knowing you you probably already thought of these idea. For me I would Love it in a bath I’m doing using a more modern touch using grey and white…..wow, my mind is flowing because of your railing. Thanks a million! Karen
Yes, yes and yes!!! I love all those ideas, Karen! My scrap wasn’t long enough for a towel bar holder and would have been too thick for a toilet paper holder……BUT it was perfect for a bracelet holder! I’ll have the tutorial soon!
OMG. This is brilliant. Totally in love.
Thanks, Heather!
This is beautiful! I never would have thought of this and now wish so badly that I had a staircase.
Thanks, Alison! I wish you had a staircase too! haha! Hmmmm…..do you do ballet? You could make one from a ballet bar! hahaha!
Great tutorial. I love it. This is such a great touch and so perfect for your house.
Thanks, Marty! I think it goes great with our place too!
Thanks, Jenna for the precise instructions. Fantastic idea which I plan to duplicate !
Awesome, Olivia! I hope you love yours as much as I do!
What makes this really stand out is that it is against the black painted wall….amazing and oh so creative!
Thanks, Lisa! I love it against the wall too!
This is the freaking coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t own a single outfit that would feel cool enough to wear to your house. I’d have to go shopping every time I visited you, lol.
hahahaha!!!! Girl, I totally feel like I should be wearing something besides yoga pants or gym shorts every time I walk past it.
Holy freakin’ genius! I adore this. And it looks stunning against the black wall.
Thanks, Stacy! I totally adore it too and find myself lingering in the stairwell a little longer than normal. I’m cuckoo. 😉
Love the hand rail. The black wall makes it stand out even more. Great job on the whole house!
Thanks, Terri! I love how it looks against the black wall too!
Oh my stars and garters!!! If I had so much as even one step in my house – and I don’t, I would leave work early and be installing one of these beauties!! Damn! Where do you find these ideas??
Pam, I have never heard “Oh my stars and garters” before, but I love it and fully intend on putting it to use. 😉
I made lucite curtain rods for my bedroom and also have them ready to install for the living room and dining room, just haven’t done it yet. I kept looking at them and was like, this could so be a handrail. I actually searched for one ready to go first and found some on Etsy, but my size started at about $200 and was a smaller diameter that what I wanted so I started figuring out how to make one myself.
I went to the web site. I’m pretty sure that since I don’t have any stairs, there is a state law requiring me to use the lucite curtain rods! LOL!! They are gorgeous too! ~very elegant~
Oh honey, I think it’s a federal law. 😉
That is one beautiful handrail! So much better than a wooden one. Plus it looks fantastic against the black wall. Great tutorial!
Thanks, Ashley! I LOVE how the black wall just sets it off too!
dead. sexy. that thing is, like, the mic drop of handrails.
Boom. I freakin’ love that description. I might be quoting you on it. 😉
i’d be honored hahaha 😀
Wow! I wish I knew how to add emojis on here from my computer because I would coment with a thousand heart eyes! This is amazing!
hahahahaha!!! I find myself wishing my computer had emojis all the time!! Glad you like it so much, Ashley! Thank you!
That is just beautiful!!! I need it!!! With the left overs… towel hooks!!!
Thanks, Sandra! Oh girl, lucite towel hooks would be fab!!
I am amazed at how much I envy your handrail ! I don’t even have stairs ! It is just so cool !
Thank you, Jeannee!!
I do have to say it is better than that ugly wood railing. It goes so great with the black wall.
Thanks, Stephanie! I love it against the black wall too!
Wow, Jenna….this is gorgeous and I don’t do lucite! Hahaha, I’m more of a chippy, chalky painted farmhouse person myself, but I enjoy seeing what all you come up with.
I like the bracelet bar thing you mentioned, but I also got to thinking about a grab bar or safety bar in the bathroom….tub/shower/toilet…..that’d be kinda cool too, I think.
Those are awesome ideas for it too, Sharon!
I love this handrail! We live in a retirement village so our home has no stairs. I’m thinking I need one of this in our hallway! ???? If I could, I would!
Very nice Jenna!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Leialoha! I’m thrilled you like it!
I gotta say this is one of the most stunning handrails I’ve seen! Against that black wall backdrop, it looks almost like it’s lit from the inside. I love how easy it is to do as well. Thanks so much for sharing this DIY with us #shinebloghop this week. Glad you were able to join us!
Thank you so much, Maria!
I’ve never seen a handrail like this – it’s very cool looking! Much more stylish than my plain old wooden stick hand rail! Thank you for sharing your post at the #HomeMattersParty this week. We hope you’ll join us again when the next party goes live this Friday at 12AM EST.
Thanks so much, Nicole! This is one of my favorite projects to date!
This is cool and I love all the great install tips! Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Thanks, Mollie!
I am making the handrail! I love it. I wanted to know how many envelopes of sugru do you use in each post? Is one enough or do you need more than 1?
Thank you.
Mirella
Hi Mirella! If I remember correctly, I used one envelope per post. Some of the Sugru will squeeze out as you push the rail in, so just be sure to wipe it away.
I have everything ready to go! How many inches did you leave between end and the bracket?
Just measured and I have about 7 3/4″ between the end and bracket on one side and 4 1/4″ on another side. Guess I didn’t measure that part too well. Whoops!
Love the handrail! I am totally copying you in a house we are building. I have purchased all of the components except for the Sugare. I see where your package says you used black. Is that because your wall is black? Can you see a reflection through the lucite? My wall is white so should I use white or does it really not matter the color? Did it wipe off the lucite completely? I have a husband that is doubting. I guess I’ve had too many “easy” projects that didn’t turn out so easy for him! 😬
I got the black Sugare because that was all the store had. 🙂 Nope, can’t see a reflection of it through the lucite. If you could get white, since your walls are white, I do think I would use that just to be on the safe side. Yes, it wipes off the lucite. Just use toilet paper to remove it like the instructions say.
WOW! Talk about gorgeous!
Thanks, Tiffany!
LOVE this!! One question, how does this hold up to wear and tear? Wouldn’t the acrylic scratch?
So we’ve had this up and installed and in use for a little over two years now. There are just a couple of scratches and they are small. In all honesty, I think they are probably from when we moved stuff in and bumped into it accidentally because they are at the bottom of the handrail. In terms of normal everyday use though and where the handrail sees the most action from hands, there’s not a scratch.
K so…I don’t know you at all, but you are officially my new best friend. This is fiya girl! Love it!
hahaha!! Thanks, girl! I love it too!
I’m just finding this post now — please tell me that at some point you’ve put a light on one end of this rail to make the whole thing glow at night!
hahahaha! I haven’t, but I should!