Staircase Renovations — East Midlands

Replace Stair Spindles with Glass Panels

Remove old spindles, slot glass panels into your existing handrail and baserail — no full staircase replacement needed. Completed in one day in most cases. East Midlands installation.

A Complete Transformation — Without the Full Cost

Replace Spindles. Keep Your Staircase.

Most staircases can be upgraded with glass panels without touching the handrail or base rail. We remove the existing spindles and install toughened glass panels in their place, clamped directly to your existing timber. The result is a lighter, more contemporary staircase that costs a fraction of a brand-new build — and is typically completed in a single day.

As qualified joiners with over 25 years of experience, we handle every aspect of the renovation — from spindle removal through to final glass installation. Your existing handrail and base rail stay in place. Send us a photo and we can usually tell straight away whether the existing timber is in good enough condition — no site visit needed to get a ballpark price.

The Process

How Spindle Replacement Works

The process is straightforward when carried out by experienced joiners who understand both the carpentry and the glass installation:

Step 1 — Spindle Removal

Existing spindles — whether wood or metal — are carefully removed. The string (base rail) and newel posts are assessed for condition and suitability. Where the string requires modification to accept glass panels, this is carried out as part of the same visit.

Step 2 — Glass Panels Fitted

We fit the glass panels using a clamped system — stainless steel clamps fix the glass to your existing handrail and base rail without any routing or modification. Because we are working with your existing timber, this is the correct and only method for spindle replacement projects.

Step 3 — Finishing

Your existing handrail stays in place — the glass panels clamp to it directly. Glass panels are cleaned, all fixings are checked, and the staircase is left ready to use. Most projects are completed in a single day.

See glass staircase renovation costs →

Glass Fixing Option 01

Clamped Glass System

Stainless steel or chrome clamps fix the glass panels to both the handrail above and the string below. The clamps grip the glass edge securely without drilling through it, making installation straightforward and panels replaceable in the future.

  • Stainless steel or chrome clamps — satin or polished finish
  • Glass panels held at top and bottom — no visible holes through the glass
  • Panels can be individually replaced if required
  • Hardware is visible but high-quality and complementary to the overall finish
  • The correct fixing method when retaining your existing handrail and base rail
  • No routing or modification to your existing timber required
See renovation costs →
Clamped glass balustrade system on residential staircase — stainless steel clamps

Staircase Styles We Can Create

Glass panel spindle replacement works across all our staircase styles. Once the old spindles are removed, your renovation can follow any of these finishes:

  • Black timber — bold, contemporary contrast
  • All oak — warm, natural, timeless
  • White & oak — the most popular residential combination
  • White timber — clean, fresh, and light-maximising
  • Stainless steel & glass — industrial-modern, high specification
  • Frameless glass — no posts, no spindles, just glass

See all staircase styles and finishes →

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Most spindle replacement projects on a standard residential staircase are completed in a single day on site. The glass clamps directly to your existing handrail and base rail — no replacement required. If remedial work to the existing timber is likely to be needed, we'll flag this when you send us photos — before any survey is arranged.
Internal staircase renovations do not typically require planning permission. However, the work must comply with Building Regulations — specifically Approved Document K, which covers guarding height and structural performance. Our installations are designed to comply with these requirements as standard. If you are in a listed building or conservation area, additional checks may apply.
No — that is the whole point of the clamped system. The glass panels clamp directly to your existing handrail above and base rail below with no routing, drilling, or modification to the timber. Your existing staircase stays intact. If the existing timber is in poor condition, we will advise at survey stage, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Yes. All glass used in staircase balustrades is toughened or laminated safety glass. Laminated glass, in particular, holds together if broken rather than shattering into sharp fragments. Our installations comply with UK Building Regulations and BS6180, which set minimum standards for guarding performance, height, and loading in domestic staircases.
The cost depends on the number of panels and the complexity of your existing staircase. Because we work with your existing handrail and base rail — no replacement needed — spindle replacement projects represent excellent value compared to a full staircase replacement. See our pricing guide or contact us for a free quotation.
Our Work

Staircase Renovation Projects

Recent staircase renovations and spindle-to-glass transformations completed by our team across the East Midlands.

Frameless glass staircase balustrade with standoff buttons and black handrail, Lincoln
Glass Staircases

Frameless Glass Staircase — Lincoln

A sleek frameless glass balustrade fitted to the side of an open oak tread staircase in Lincoln, featuring 17.5mm toughened laminated glass with stainless steel standoff buttons and a continuous black handrail.

View project →
Oak & Glass Staircase Renovation — Mansfield
Glass Staircases

Oak & Glass Staircase Renovation — Mansfield

Dated pine spindles replaced with 8mm toughened glass panels, new solid oak handrail, and grooved oak baserail — no clamps, no visible fixings. Completed in two days at a Mansfield property.

View project →
Completed white and oak staircase renovation with toughened glass panels, Derby
Glass Staircases

White & Oak Staircase Renovation — Derby

A complete staircase transformation in Derby — white square newel posts, hand-planed oak handrail, and toughened glass panels glued into grooved oak rails with no visible fixings.

View project →
View All Projects

Ready to Replace Your Spindles?

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quotation. We work across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, and the wider East Midlands.

Get a Free Quote 📞 01623 633154