Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

[maccrazy2]

I am in the middle of remodeling my place. I have a split level house. from the front door there is 4 steps to the right to go upstairs and 6 straight ahead to go down. There was wood panneling on the staircase and railing surrounding the staircase. I removed the wood panneling and found a substandard and loose wood 2by4 framing railing. I like the look of the place with the railing down. Before when you walked into the house you were boxed in in the stairwell. If I put up a baluster handrailing it would really open up the room. I believe that is how the place was when it was built. The solid railing was added later. There is 22 feet of railing needed to replace whay is there now. The flooring that will be refinished before I put up the railing is oak so, I will be looking for oak handrails. I don't know if the spindles should be oak or if maple or poplar ect... is more common. I dont know if the floor will be stained or not. right now it is natural but there are some stains so I am leaving that up to the floor guy to do as he sees best to make it look the best.
I did some searching around and I am seeing prices all over the place.
Does anyone have any recomendations on suppliers or materials I should be looking into?
Any recomendations for preferred install methods?
I build custom pool cues and am equiped to do the install. I just need to know where to go for good quality parts without overpaying. Thanks Chris

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

I had to replace a 2x2 POS rail going down my basement stairs a couple months back. Lowe's had some nice premade handrails in lengths from 8' up. a little stain after cutting, and it looks pretty darn good. Used oiled bronze mounting hardware, toggle bolts, and construction adhesive to DIY

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

I will check out home depot and lowes this week to see what they have. I only found 1 wood spindle on home depot's website they were pushing plastic ones. Screw that, Every time I have tried the styrene materials I have ended up having to replace it. I am going to stick with wood. If I had more time I would just turn them myself but I have a baby coming in may and I still have a kitchen and several rooms to do so I have to keep rocking.

 

[Guest]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

Look to your local custom cabinet shop for the info you seek. Many of them do other things as well, or can point you to who.

 

[hessian]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

I have 40 years doing that. There are very specific building codes involved. Hire an expert. Go to a full service lumber yard- NOT Home Dipshits-and ask for referrals.Like buying a good gun, doing your home right costs are easily forgotten.

 

[John L]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

L.J. Smith is your place to start looking for ideas. They make al kinds of stair parts. I agree with the statement of staying away from HD & Lowes, and going to a full service lumberyard. Also agree with you about the PVC products coming on the market right now, hate them all and have had the same experience as you with my own home.
Check your local codes as to spindle spacing requirements, our is 4" here and some inspectors are real A holes about it. If they can find ANYWHERE a 4" ball will pass they will red tag the job. Most of it has to do with them justifying there own existence in the slow housing market, plus the re-inspection fee brings in money.
Take your time check your math twice and you should be good to go.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

In my market there are several custom millwork outfits and their catalogs will boggle your mind. And good lumber yards offer a variety of Newel, Rail and spindle profiles.

When you write "Baluster" I am somewhat aware of what you are looking to do but given the variety I have installed over the years, I could use a little more 'Illustration".

That said, if I understand you correctly, you want to open up the stair well and provide a handrail. Well anchored newel posts at the end of the stair and landings are fundamental to well installed balustrades. What you choose as a handrail and for spindles is limited only by your imagination and budget.

If it is going to be inspected then you do have some extra hurdles to jump but some quick familiarity with the basics will leave you in good stead, especially given the condition it was in before! 4" max spacing between spindles is code here as well.

Good luck!

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

A good place to start looking for ideas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0UASPaPHSY

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Baluster hand railing. Any recomendations?

Thanks Guys. I got a recomendation for a local shop who stocks everything I will need. I have to call and check code for height and spacing. I was told it is 4in max here as well but I will double check.
I went to home depot today and there was not much of a selection and they only sell these cheap spring kits for attaching rails to the posts. Even the guy working there was saying what they are selling is a joke.