Identify the Stair or Walking Path
Handrails can support movement along stairs, ramps or other defined paths. The starting point is the actual route and where a continuous graspable support is needed.
A new handrail does not correct damaged stairs or an unstable wall. Those underlying conditions should be addressed before the rail is treated as the finished solution.
Mounting Support and Height
The rail needs brackets or posts attached to suitable support. Wall construction, stair geometry and the product design affect how the hardware is installed.
Project-specific code dimensions can vary by context and jurisdiction. Required heights and extensions should be confirmed for the actual project. A general service description is not a universal compliance certification.
Starts, Stops and Adjacent Stair Work
A useful rail should begin and end where the walking path needs support without creating an obstruction.
If treads, risers, stringers or landings are also damaged, Stair Installation & Repair is the better page. Aging-in-Place Remodeling can coordinate handrails with a larger accessibility plan.
The rail should also remain usable at transitions where the stair meets a landing or changes direction. Those end conditions can be as important to daily use as the straight run in the middle of the flight.