Offset on wall where stair handrail exists issue

[fireant911]

Last week I installed a stair handrail from the shop leading to the (almost) finished attic. This was my first experience with handrails. Two handrails were installed: one smaller section leading from the shop itself to a landing area (this section of handrail is about three feet in length) and a larger (slightly more than 12 feet) leading from the landing area to the attic. This latter section is the one that I keep mentally revisiting. My uneasiness stems from a design feature that exists that I assume was unintentional… yet it is too late to make any corrections.

The issue is that the wall contains a 1-1/8” step. If you can imagine a horizontal line being drawn from the first tread along the wall (see pictures 1 and 2 / looking up and looking down). Because of my inexperience with general woodworking, I initially just installed two ‘spacers’. These spacers were 1-1/8” thick and were screwed to the wall (on studs) and then the handrail bracket itself was screwed to the bracket for the portion of the handrail affected by the offset. The position on the handrail where this protrusion occurs is approximately 2/3 of the length of the up end of the handrail.

I keep going back because I am not entirely pleased with aesthetic appearance of the handrail as it currently exists. While completely functional and stable, it simply does not look good to me (even though the spacers would be painted white, to match the walls, if they stay in place). I do not anticipate any issues with code because of the offset and I would prefer to respectfully completely remove any code / regulations aspect from discussion. What I was considering was adding an offset to the handrail itself (see picture 3) - this was mocked up from scrap. The actual 'offset' will be installed at the point on the wall where the offset currently occurs. Offsets are available for handrails yet these have an offset of considerably more than 1-1/8” and are a much smoother ‘S’ type rather than a more abrupt offset that I am proposing. My wife has also stated that she feels that my offset is not conducive to the way that a person normally holds onto a handrail and that it lends itself to cause the user’s hand to get caught in the offset. I drew up some plans that would involve cutting a 45 on both sides to provide a beveled 45 transition rather than a stark 90 transition.

Moving the handrail to the opposite wall would eliminate this issue but it would bring about many other challenges due to jut-outs and such... so relocating it to the other side is not an option.

Has anyone else done/seen an offset like I am proposing? Are there any other methods that others have employed that could deal with the 1-1/8” wall offset?

Sorry that my Ipad photos are rotated again.

 

[egdede]

You might consider covering the blocking with hot-mud. If you use drywall tape on the inside corners where the blocking meets the wall you would make a strong joint that shouldn't crack. My thought is that if the blocking matches the wall it will not stand out in contrast. I think the stepped handrail would stand out because it would look unusual to the eye.

 

[xyster101]

I would say to keep the straight handrail, the z bend would feel weird. I would look at other alternatives to the blocking you choose. A nice piece of oak that you routered, maybe 6" in diameter (round or square) instead of the 2 by material you currently have.
Custom work always costs more.

 

[FMC]

just remove the hangers on blocks? the bottom return should be strong enough if its a blind hangarbolt and nut into wall stud

 

[willyswonka]

I can't tell from those pictures exactly how the hangers you're using are shaped, but what about spacing them on the end where they attach to the rail instead of on the wall side? A lot of commercial style rail hangers have adjustable posts for exactly that type of problem.
Might not be worth the money/effort, but would look cleanest imo.

http://www.juliusblum.com/downloads/handrailbrackets.pdf

 

[fireant911]

It looks like my wife was right, as usual. The handrail will remain straight; however, I have some homework to do concerning installing something similar to a 'rosette' (?) as xyster101 suggested. My father-in-law is a master wood craftsman and he would relish in the opportunity to create some custom pieces.

I also want to research more about the extensions that willyswonda provided a link to. I envisioned such a contraption but was never able to find any reference to such a thing. Thank you for the link and, yes, they do look clean. This is a case if I had a 3D printer, I could make a perfectly profiled spacer!

Many thanks.

 

[Jinks]

There are lots of sources for handrail supports that can be found with a Google search. I recently redid my stairwell & had a similar problem. I solved it with a 45 degree offset as shown in the picture. Works well & feels correct.

 

[smedly]

I has the same issue and just cut the rail at an angle. Not sure how easy it is to see in the photo, but you can barely notice it when sliding your hand down it.