The Story
An oak base rail with a 13mm groove, this 58x28mm section runs to 4200mm in length and is designed to accept glass panels or timber spindles as part of a stair balustrade system. Supplied with infill strips to keep balusters evenly spaced and produce a neat, consistent finish.
Specifications
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Solid oak |
| Nominal Size | 58mm x 28mm |
| Length | 4200mm |
| Profile | Base rail with 13mm central groove |
| Groove Width | 13mm (accepts glass or spindles up to 13mm thick) |
| Finish | Unfinished, ready for sanding and staining or lacquering |
What it's used for
- Forming the lower rail of a stair balustrade to receive oak or glass infill panels
- Accepting 13mm square-section oak spindles as part of a traditional or contemporary staircase
- Creating a flush, level base for frameless or semi-frameless glass balustrade panels on staircases and landings
- Pairing with matching oak handrails and newel posts to complete a full oak staircase system
Fitting and handling
Oak should be acclimatised indoors for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours before installation, particularly in newly plastered or heated environments where moisture levels may fluctuate. When fitting, cut the rail to length using a fine-tooth saw and secure to the string or floor using appropriate fixings, ensuring the groove is aligned centrally before inserting spindles or glass panels alongside infill strips. Once fitted, apply your chosen finish, whether oil, wax, or clear lacquer, to all exposed surfaces including end grain to reduce moisture movement over time.
FAQ
Will this base rail accept standard 41mm oak spindles?
The 13mm groove in this rail is sized to accept spindles or glass panels up to 13mm in thickness. Standard 41mm turned oak spindles typically have a 13mm square tenon at the base, so they fit directly into this groove. Infill strips are supplied to keep spacing uniform between balusters.
Can this oak base rail be used on a landing as well as a staircase?
Yes. The 4200mm length gives enough material to cover most staircase flights or landing runs, and the profile works equally well in both horizontal and raking (angled) applications. For raking installations on a flight of stairs, the rail will need to be cut to the appropriate pitch angle at each end.
Does the rail come pre-finished or will I need to sand and treat it?
This rail is supplied unfinished, which allows you to match the stain, oil, or lacquer to the rest of your staircase timbers. We recommend sanding to a minimum of 120 grit before applying any finish, and always finishing all faces including the underside to help stabilise the timber.
Browse our full range of matching stair timbers, including newel posts and handrails, in the base rail collection at Nottage Timber Merchants. We supply trade and retail customers across South Wales, with next-day delivery available to Bridgend and surrounding areas.
Description
An oak base rail with a 13mm groove, this 58x28mm section runs to 4200mm in length and is designed to accept glass panels or timber spindles as part of a stair balustrade system. Supplied with infill strips to keep balusters evenly spaced and produce a neat, consistent finish.
Specifications
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Solid oak |
| Nominal Size | 58mm x 28mm |
| Length | 4200mm |
| Profile | Base rail with 13mm central groove |
| Groove Width | 13mm (accepts glass or spindles up to 13mm thick) |
| Finish | Unfinished, ready for sanding and staining or lacquering |
What it's used for
- Forming the lower rail of a stair balustrade to receive oak or glass infill panels
- Accepting 13mm square-section oak spindles as part of a traditional or contemporary staircase
- Creating a flush, level base for frameless or semi-frameless glass balustrade panels on staircases and landings
- Pairing with matching oak handrails and newel posts to complete a full oak staircase system
Fitting and handling
Oak should be acclimatised indoors for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours before installation, particularly in newly plastered or heated environments where moisture levels may fluctuate. When fitting, cut the rail to length using a fine-tooth saw and secure to the string or floor using appropriate fixings, ensuring the groove is aligned centrally before inserting spindles or glass panels alongside infill strips. Once fitted, apply your chosen finish, whether oil, wax, or clear lacquer, to all exposed surfaces including end grain to reduce moisture movement over time.
FAQ
Will this base rail accept standard 41mm oak spindles?
The 13mm groove in this rail is sized to accept spindles or glass panels up to 13mm in thickness. Standard 41mm turned oak spindles typically have a 13mm square tenon at the base, so they fit directly into this groove. Infill strips are supplied to keep spacing uniform between balusters.
Can this oak base rail be used on a landing as well as a staircase?
Yes. The 4200mm length gives enough material to cover most staircase flights or landing runs, and the profile works equally well in both horizontal and raking (angled) applications. For raking installations on a flight of stairs, the rail will need to be cut to the appropriate pitch angle at each end.
Does the rail come pre-finished or will I need to sand and treat it?
This rail is supplied unfinished, which allows you to match the stain, oil, or lacquer to the rest of your staircase timbers. We recommend sanding to a minimum of 120 grit before applying any finish, and always finishing all faces including the underside to help stabilise the timber.
Browse our full range of matching stair timbers, including newel posts and handrails, in the base rail collection at Nottage Timber Merchants. We supply trade and retail customers across South Wales, with next-day delivery available to Bridgend and surrounding areas.
