How to Replace Railings With a Wall

Building a wall space along a balcony or staircase will create more privacy. Having a solid half-wall, for example, can prevent visitors from looking into a bedroom area. It’s relatively simple to design and build an interior wall with wall studs and drywall. Outside, you will need framework and siding to achieve the same effect. By using various kinds of wood trim or other accessories, you can make the wall formal or informal, depending on the surrounding space. Create the wall for strength and safety, however, because it will replace protective railings.

Replacing railings inside or out requires a solid framework.

Step 1

Measure the available floor space and remove any carpeted floor covering before beginning your divider wall installation. Take up carpet along an interior stairway, for example, before securing the framing boards in place with 4-inch screws. Plan to secure board framing directly to the steps, versus nailing it, for maximum strength.

Step 2

Design the depth of the wall. Use 2-by-6 inch boards instead of 2-by-4s as one option. Plan to build a waist-high wall 6 to 8 inches deep to provide stability for the structure. Design framework that consists of boards on 16-inch centers to form the studs for the wall construction.

Step 3

Remove any stair railings or handrails. Pry loose any materials that are nailed in place with a crowbar but try to avoid damaging the steps or flooring material in the process.

Step 4

Attach wood framing tightly so that it holds up well over time. Use 4-inch screws to secure studs to the framing with an electric screwdriver. Stabilize the framework so that the wall will accommodate constant use as an alternative to handrails. Cover the half wall with drywall, beadboard or another type of wall covering.

Step 5

Nail up wood trim to provide protection for drywall or paneling on the new wall. Install baseboard material at floor level on interior spaces and wood trim to cap exposed corners of the wall. Nail wood trim over the finished drywall corners inside the home to further protect the wall in high-traffic areas.