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DIY Lucite Handrail

Hello Lover.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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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Tools & Supplies

  • 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.)

Steps

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.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

Rug / Flooring / Wall Color / Trim Color

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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.

It's so easy to DIY your own and much cheaper than buying one already made! DIY Lucite Handrail | Acrylic Handrail | Lucite Home Decor | Stairwell

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!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Patty says

    The black walls and brass posts set off the Lucite to gorgeous perfection!
    Thanks for posting and sharing!

    Reply

  4. Karen says

    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

    Reply

    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      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!

      Reply

  6. Alison Huxel says

    This is beautiful! I never would have thought of this and now wish so badly that I had a staircase.

    Reply

  9. Lisa A. says

    What makes this really stand out is that it is against the black painted wall….amazing and oh so creative!

    Reply

  10. Amanda says

    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.

    Reply

  12. Terri Hughes says

    Love the hand rail. The black wall makes it stand out even more. Great job on the whole house!

    Reply

  13. Pam S says

    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??

    Reply

    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      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.

      Reply

  19. Stephanie S. says

    I do have to say it is better than that ugly wood railing. It goes so great with the black wall.

    Reply

  20. Sharon H says

    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.

    Reply

  21. Leialoha says

    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!

    Reply

  22. Maria says

    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!

    Reply

  23. nicole says

    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.

    Reply

  25. Mirella Isaias says

    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

    Reply

    • Jenna says

      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.

      Reply

    • Jenna says

      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!

      Reply

  27. Julia says

    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! ?

    Reply

    • Jenna says

      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.

      Reply

    • Jenna says

      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.

      Reply

  31. Panya says

    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!

    Reply

  33. Mary Smith says

    Looks great but how do I do a double long one? Would a seam where the two rods meet get by building codes?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  35. Tammy says

    This looks great. I looking to replace a small section of spindles, but wanted to put an acrylic panel instead. Would you know where i would start to find the materials to DIY something like that?

    Reply

  36. Marilyn says

    I was looking in vain for lucite handles for a white armoire I am planning to have an Amish carpenter make. I was looking for 2” cast acrylic about 72” in length (2 long handles would be needed). No success. But I found your tutorial is perfect, especially about the information about the adhesive and polishing the ends. Thank you so much for posting this!

    Reply

  37. Maria says

    Did you come across any silver/chrome mounting posts that are the same shape as you used, or you would otherwise recommend? Thanks!

    Reply

  38. Lisa Platts says

    Hi there,
    Gorgeous railing!!! I’m noticing the sugrue comes in different colors. Can you tell me if you used black or white? Does it show through the lucite?
    Thank you!

    Reply

  39. Chelsea says

    Hey Jenna, can you tell me how much space is between the end of your lucite and the first bracket? Is it even spacing from the bracket on both ends?

    Reply

  40. Emily says

    Hi! I’m about to put my rods up and wondering how the sugru has held up? I had a plastic fabricator tell me it wouldn’t hold up and would crack away over time with use? Also, I’m concerned about it streaking onto the acrylic as I slide on the center post. Will it come off easily? Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Jenna says

      The Sugru has held up great. Our rod hasn’t budged at all. Some did get on the acrylic as I slide it in, but it comes right off with toilet paper, just like the Sugru label tells you!

      Reply

  41. Marissa says

    I wanted to thank you so much for this DIY! There is a vendor on Etsy that is charging 1300+ for our project, and because of you we followed the instructions to a tee and now have the most STUNNING (and glam) stair railing ever! The sugrue is literally amazing, this acrylic is not budging. Thank you again love!!

    Reply

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