What is a base rail?
A stair base rail runs along the staircase (also known as the bottom track). Spindles and panels are fitted into or onto the base rail and is supported by newel posts.
Types of base rails
The types of base rails that Howarth Timber and Building Supplies offer are timber pine base rails, grooved pine base rails, white primed base rails and white oak base rails. The base rails can fit spindles that are 32mm or 41mm. We also offer a variety of base rail sizes: 2.4m, 3.6m and 4.2m lengths plus a variety of width and thicknesses.
Grooved Base Rail:
A grooved base rail has a groove running through the centre of the rail into which means this is easier for the spindles to be fitted.
The size of the groove can vary, for example a 32mm or 41mm grooved base rail has the same overall dimension.
Ungrooved Base Rail:
Ungrooved base rails are solid which means that spindles can be screwed directly onto the rail. They are best used with metal spindles or glass brackets/clamps.