Are iron balusters and newel posts strong enough for interior ?
threeapples
11 years ago
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Comments (12)
brickeyee
11 years agothreeapples
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Upgrade to wrought iron balusters
Comments (16)Because the majority of primed balusters come from china and are often finger jointed material. Because they are only 1/2" you will need a few more for the balcony than you would with a tapered wooden baluster. The epoxy that they should be installed with is considerably more expensive than white or wood glue and there are also the caps that need to be purchased and installed unless they are morticed into the treads (sqr holes) which would cost considerably more. Ian...See MoreNeed advice on stability of iron balusters and newel posts.....
Comments (4)threeapples- Just like many other aspects of your build that you have encountered, I think the carpenter is unfamiliar with this manufacturer as well as the install method. It sounds like he is comfortable with the standard wooden baluster method and so he is pointing you in that direction and trying to ensure you go his way by suggesting that the one you've already specced is unstable. And no one wants an unstable railing on their staircase, right? I have no hands on experience with installing balusters, balustrades, etc. However, this company has been making these since the mid-40's. I think that says something about their stability. A quote I pulled from the King website: "Internationally acclaimed, GRANDE FORGE can be located in the finest hotels, restaurants and exclusive residences in all five continents. " If their product is stable enough to be used in hotels & restaurants with all the abuse that goes along with these type of businesses, I would surely think it would be stable enough for a single family home. And how many upscale hotel, upscale restaurant, and exclusive residence installs has your carpenter done that included this level of balustrade/baluster work? That may tell you all you need to know. Perhaps someone from King Metals or Grande Forge could talk with the carpenter via phone about his concerns on install. If he's worth his salt, your carpenter should be ok with talking to them to learn how to install this system properly so that there isn't any wobble. If he's not willing to take the time and energy to learn from the supplier/manufacturer, then maybe its time to find someone who is familiar with this product to install it. King or G-F may be able to help with a referral for an experienced installer. Hope this helps!...See MoreBaluster color help Please!!
Comments (22)teaforwendy, I feel your pain. I was able to be around for the baluster change and here it is semi installed and I am thrilled. (I keep running my hand along the rail!!) The floor tone is a little off in this photo. In person it reads tobacco to my eyes, like in the second photo. I had shown a photo of what I wanted regarding floor color to my GC and we went with one of the stained samples he had made. However, when the stain was on, it was lighter and he had the flooring people do some kind of scraping and then restainig with a mixture of 2 stains. (I did not know any of this until I returned!) I love this floor color, but it was a process. My GC knew I did not want any red and I am very happy with the results. Good luck to you! I know you are pressed for time, but if you need more info, I can investigate......See MoreHandrail and balusters
Comments (11)Hi everyone as this subject seems to be something that a lot of folks with stairs are wanting to do, change or up grade is a big decision in time, effort, & O-YA money! I would only buy your rail & stair parts from a stair company or someone that knows how to install these parts. They can usually straighten you out over the phone when you become stuck on a decision that could cost you all the money you would have saved by buying your parts at a box store or anywhere that does not make their living installing what they sell. I would also check out this web site of a 30 year old comany to see some great pictures of finished styles of stairs & rail work. I also know they ship all over the US & if you fax a list of styles/parts (catalog names & or numbers) & a drawing (looking down at your plans/stair) of your stairs, they will help you get the right parts "the first time" & I would also ask if they have any styles that they are discontinuing or over runs if you are not too picky on styles. When you talk to a stair company they will tell you that there are no 2" x 2" balusters, that they come as 1-1/4", 1-3/4", and some 2-1/4" are the standard size. Newels are 3" x 3", 3-1/4" and box newels can be just about any size your pocket book can stand! Once you have figured out your plan of attack, like do I want the balusters to dowel into the treads, or do I want an elavated shoe rail that runs just above the tread nose at the pitch of the stair so the balusters fit into it and this will tell you and the stair pro how long the balusters need to be and then all you parts will start to fill in as you need them. Are you covering your old stair with new Oak Treads & if so, what about the rise change, will they still meet code in your area. Why spend all this $$$ if it does not knock your socks off when your done! Most Stairs/Rails are usually near or at the entry where your guests enter your home, you want it to set the feel of your home that it is a quality built home, so shady workmanship here is a NO-NO! You need to remember that there is a reason that more then half of the carpenters work on stairs, but only 10% know how to work on the rails system and if it's curved it's like only 2% that can do it in a timely mannor and make money doing it! Old Stair guy...See MoreUser
11 years agokirkhall
11 years agothreeapples
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