You don’t need to be a construction specialist to figure out how to install iron balusters. You just need some technical skills and the suitable tools. Besides, you need to be aware that stairway parts installation needs to comply a series of rules and regulations, so you need to make sure you know what those are in your area. An architect or a builder, or even the merchant who sold you the iron balusters can give you the required instructions. For instance, did you know that the 2006 International Residential Code requires that stairways have rails that do not permit a 4 inches diameter sphere to pass between the balusters? Make sure you respect the safety regulation, so you avoid future problems or even unwanted accidents.

Tools Needed For Installing Iron Balusters

Some of the tools you are going to need are rail bolt wrenches, metal chop saw or a metal cutting band saw, dowel screw driver, epoxy gun and newel fasteners. Using dowel screws can bring you a significant advantage, because it saves you a lot of time for future repairs and maintenance, due to the fact that they firmly hold the iron balusters in their place, avoiding them getting loose with the time, like in the case of wooden staircase parts.

The epoxy adhesive is very important. Make sure you choose the best quality one, in order to avoid leakage and shrinking when curing.

In case you are installing the iron balusters on the place of your old, wooden ones, you need to take into consideration that replacing wood with iron will add a lot of weight to the stairway, so you have to check whether or not the construction is designed to resist this additional weight.

Drilling the holes is the first step in installing the iron balusters. If your balusters are 1/2 inch square, you’ll need to drill holes of minimum 3/4 inch in the floor and in the handrail. The best way to do it right from the very beginning is to drill one set of holes and install that iron baluster in place, to see how it fits. If you like it, then repeat the process for the entire stairway. If you don’t like it, make the required adjustments until you are satisfied with the result. If you want to install the iron balusters without using metal shoes, you need to make the holes square after drilling, by using a chisel.

Then you need to cut the iron balusters at the appropriate length. You can use any cutting method is more convenient for you. Keep in mind that the balusters need to be longer than the distance between the rail and the floor with about 1 1/2 inch. Cut only the bottom tip of the balusters, so you can preserve the finish at the upper tip. Always cut and fit in place only one baluster, and only after you see everything is fine, proceed with the others. Iron balusters are quite expensive, so you don’t want to spoil them.

Iron balusters are a good option for staircases in houses which are built on modern principles, with modern materials, and where wood cannot be a proper match. Another use for iron balusters is for office buildings stairs, where a more official and formal look is required.

Wrought Iron Balusters

In family residences, stainless steel or simple iron balusters may be too cold for creating a cozy atmosphere and a friendly environment. For such homes, a better choice is to employ wrought iron balusters, which are decorative and which can come in so many shapes that almost everybody can find his favorite model. You can get a model of iron baluster from a Gothic series, or from the twist series, or curved balusters for the balcony.

There’s a great look and an elegance which cannot be obtained for your stair, unless you use iron balusters.

Iron Balusters Shoes

Iron balusters allow you to use them in combination with wooden handrails, in case you need a warmer touch. Although they are quite easy to install, after you get how it goes, and after you buy yourself the necessary tools such as cutters and angle grinders, but the best way to have a great stairway is to leave it to the specialists, who know that there are iron baluster shoes which come with hidden screws, for a better look.

Iron Balusters Finishes

This is the most delicate part of building a stairway, to choose the best finish. Be aware that the handrail fittings must be well anchored in place, with care for the finish, especially in cases of textured, sand-like finishes which are very demanding. Don’t forget that iron balusters are heavy, and you’ll add to the total weight of your balustrade more than double, so you need to make sure that the rest of the structure can support this massive weight.