Plastering Staircase Wall

MOPI

Hi, I have an open staircase within my lounge but as part of reconfiguration work of the downstairs layout I want to install a stud wall to separate the staircase and create a contained living room. The attached image shows where the staircase enters the living room.

I'm concerned regarding how the newly installed wall behind the staircase bannister can be plastered, would this require removal of the bannister?

Thanks in advance! 

grumbler

AFAIK, usually it's either a pretty big gap between a wall and a bannister or a rail fixed to a wall.

If you are prepared to make the staircase a little more narrow you can possibly hide the bannister inside the wall and then add a rail to any side.

MOPI

Thanks for the quick response! My intention was to keep the current bannister and continue the wall that is already partially in place, which leaves a 3-4 inch gap from the wall to the bannister.

Doozergirl

It would be cheaper and more practical to remove the bannister, put the wall up, plaster it and stick a handrail on the wall.  

All of that ballustrading is going to be a dust trap that serves no practical purpose.   

Bendy_House

You'll know roughly what it'll look like by checking out the very top RH part of your stair. As said above, it doesn't make mush sense to leave the bannisters in place once the wall goes up.

But, if you must, there's a couple of possibilities. You ain't going to be able to skim that new wall, but - with some awkwardness - you may be able to tape-and-fill. Ie, use taper-edge plasterboard for that side, and you might have enough room to tape, fill and sand the joints behind the bannisters. It'll be a right pain, tho'...

Or, don't p'board that side, but instead fit something like vertical T&G boards, or even V-grooved panels - that should be quite doable.

Bigphil1474

If there's a 3-4 inch gap between the wall and bannister, that will need covering (so that you don't lose endless items down the gap). If it was me, I'd replace the bannister with the new wall and put a handrail on the other side of the stairs. Easier all ways round.

Slinky

It'll be a nightmare to decorate the back of the wall through the bannisters without then having to repaint the spindles.

pmartin86

As others have said, replace the banister with a handrail - the previous occupiers of my house did something simular and the amount of crud and dirt that builds up on the "thin strip" other other side is phenomenal - The only things that stopped me taking a hammer to it is i need new stairs in the next 12 months or so, so im "dealing" with it, but honestly, just do the "proper" job or you'll regret it.

shiraz99

Are you planning on actually closing off the living room, ie, extending the stud wall beyond the staircase and installing a doorway?

I agree with the others, remove the existing bannister and have the wall flush to the staircase.