Placing Your Order

Choosing Baluster Type

  • Solid Core Balusters

    Pros:

    • Solid balusters are strongest and pass building codes.
    • Very secure - screws into wood handrail or metal bar.

     

    Cons:

    • Product and shipping are more expensive.

     

    Find solid balusters here.

  • Hollow Balusters with Metal Insert Top

    Pros:

    • Inexpensive product price and shipping.
    • Very secure - screws into wood handrail or metal bar.

     

    Cons:

    • Hollow balusters are less durable.

     

    Find hollow balusters with metal insert top here.

     

  • Hollow Balusters with Metal Insert Top and Pin Bottom

    Pros:

    • Clean stair tread finish without
      shoes.
    • Inexpensive product price and
      shipping.
    • Very secure - screws into wood
      handrail or metal bar.

     

    Cons:

    • Hollow balusters are less
      durable.

     

    Find Hollow Balusters with Metal Insert Top and Pin Bottom here.

  • Hollow Balusters with Pin Top

    Pros:

    • Quick and easy installation.
    • Cheapest out of all 4 options.

     

    Cons:

    • Hollow balusters are less durable.
    • Less secure - cannot screw into wood handrail or metal bar.

     

    Find hollow balusters with pin top here.

Choose Installation Method

  • Screw Into Wood Handrail

    This method is used when you want to secure your balusters directly into the wood handrail. We'll drill countersunk thru-holes which help hide the screw and sits flush. Countersunk thru holes are 7/32" and compatible wood screws will be included in your order. This can be done with both flat and angled balusters.

  • Screw into Metal Mounting Bar

    This method is used when there is a metal bar that sits underneath the wood handrail. We'll drill threaded holes (drill & tap) so that the balusters can be secured from the top of the metal bar. This makes the screws completely hidden as it is covered by the wood handrail. Threaded holes are 1/4"-20. and the compatible screws will be included in your order. This can be done with both flat and angled balusters.

  • Pin Top

    This method is used when you do not want to screw into the wood handrail and prefer to let it sit into a hole in the handrail. This is usually secured with epoxy and is less secure. Pin tops are visible when looking at certain angles.

Length and Angle

  • Measuring Baluster Length

    Measure the distance from the bottom of the handrail to the top of the stair tread. Add 3/4" to 1.5" to this measurement to get your baluster cut length. The correct length can vary depending on whether you have holes in the handrail, installing using a metal mounting bar or the hole depth in both the handrail and stair tread. If you have any questions, contact us for assistance or to order a sample to test your measurements.

  • Measuring Angles

    Angle cuts are recommended for angled sections of your stairs to ensure the balusters fit perfectly with the handrail.

    You can use a smartphone app called Handy Bubble Level DIY on iOS or Bubble Level on Android to measure the angle of your stairs.

    The tolerance of your angle measurements can be off by ± 2 degrees and still fit fine.

What happens if I measured my balusters are too long?

If a baluster is too long, you can cut both solid and hollow balusters with a powered cutting tool or angle grinder.

What happens if I measured my balusters too short?

If your baluster is only slightly too short (around ¼″) you can insert wood or plastic shims into the hole to slightly raise the baluster. Apply construction-grade epoxy in the floor to furt
If the baluster is significantly shorter than needed, contact us. If you’ve ordered from us before, we can offer a 15% discount on replacement pieces.

What happens if the angle isn't measured properly?

You can re-cut the angle using a powered cutting tool or angle grinder. If you are not able to re-cut it yourself then please contact us and we can we can offer a 15% discount on replacement pieces if you have ordered from us before.

Order a Sample

To avoid costly measurement errors, we recommend starting with one or a few individual samples. If you're testing and want to use lower-cost, unfinished balusters just to check your measurements, contact us. When you contact us, we'll also provide the best custom shipping rates for your samples.

Contact Us

  • Low-Cost, Unfinished Samples For Testing Your Measurements