[daveplot]

In my 1976 home I have a single handrail on my basement stairs which works fine, however, there are no balusters. This is a problem now that my young children need to be going up and down the stairs.

Please take a look at the attached photos. Does anyone have any recomendations for baluster installation?

My thought would be to install a new handrail in line with the newel post to the ceiling at 36", leaving the existing handrail. Then balusters down from it to the stair below. Something like the first photo here, but to each stair: http://www.danielskitchenbath.com/miscphotos.html

Thanks

 

[BigJim]

I didn't build this staircase and the extensions aren't the way I would do them but this will give you and idea how to offset your rail, also here is a picture of the fitting you will need. Check to see what code is for spacing the balusters in your area, most places is 4 inch. To install the balusters drill your holes plumb, put top of the baluster in first, lift up, then put bottom of the baluster over the bottom hole, and slide down into the hole. You can use iron or wood baluster.

If you plan to use the existing post for the Newel you may have to have another newel post on the first step also, it looks like two steps are past the post now.

 

[joecaption]

Pain in the butt to do but would work, be legal and look ok.
Going to need a set of Forister bits.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10615&site=ROCKLER