Your Guide to Baserails

  • Our Guide to Baserails
guide to baserails

Within this guide you will find information on the following:

  • What is a baserail?
  • Types of baserail
  • Fixings and accessories
  • Required parts
  • Restoring / replacing
  • Measuring guide
  • Installation
  • Style guides

 

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What is a baserail?

Baserails, or bottom tracks as they are sometimes known, run up a staircase on the top of the stair string, and then continue along the landing, assuming there is one. Spindles or panels are attached to the baserail, which is also supported at either end by newel posts.

Types of baserail

There are commonly three different types of baserail - grooved, ungrooved and glass grooved.

grooved baserail

Grooved baserails have a groove running through the centre of the rail into which spindles easily slot. 

The measurement of a baserail remains the same, but the size of the groove can differ. In example, a 32mm or 41mm grooved baserail has the same overall dimension.
un-grooved solid baserail

Ungrooved baserails are solid and as they can be screwed directly onto the rail and are best used with metal spindles or glass brackets/clamps.
glass grooved baserail

Glass grooved baserails have a deep channel into which a panel of glass may be slotted. These deep channels run the entire length of the baserail.

Fixings and accessories

glass staircase fixings

Glass brackets/clamps are ideal for any kind of glass application on any staircase and come with different sized rubber inserts, which are dependent on how thick the glass is. In example, 8mm glass would require 8mm glass clamps. The brackets/clamps are screwed directly onto an ungrooved baserail.

Grooved baserails come with an infill which is cut to size and sits in between the spindles or glass panel, giving an impression that the baserail is solid.

 

What parts are required to work with baserails?

Baserails sit underneath, and support the spindles on a balustrade. The baserail will also sit within a set of newel posts at the top and bottom of the stairs, and at the end of the landing if applicable.

Restoring or replacing a baserail

Undertaking the restoration or replacement of a baserail is one of the more difficult elements of balustrade project. This is because the baserail sits at the bottom of the balustrade, meaning you are likely to have to remove other elements of the staircase to access it.

Once you have stripped back the balustrade to access the baserail, it may also be worth replacing the spindles or considering a more contemporary look by swapping them for stylish glass panels.

Measuring guide

To ensure that the spindles and handrail sit in the right place, you must ensure that baserails are positioned accurately onto the stair string. To determine the length of baserail you need, you will need to measure the length of your staircase up the angle and along the landing if applicable.

Baserails are generally sold in lengths of 1.8 metres, 2.4 metres, 3.6 metres and 4.2 metres. You may find that you are able to get both your staircase and landing baserail out of a single long length.

For advice on which length you need for your job please call us on 0114 2721228.

Installation

To install the baserail, it can be screwed of nailed in to the stair string. The screw or nail heads will not be visible once the spindles and infill have been fitted. As a guide for fixing brackets, if you are using a solid baserail, mark where the brackets are going to be fixed. 

Also, if the baserail you are fitting is wider than your stair string, do not be worried - this is perfectly normal.

Style guide

View our style guide for inspiration and staircase design ideas.