simple way to replace a few flush balusters

8 years ago

I tried to find videos on youtube for replacing flush balusters, but I could not find one. Neither could I find any "how to" sites to replace flush balusters. The old ones that fell out seemed to be held by 2 nails from to the horizontal beam. I would imagine that making the entire set is simpler than replacing just the balusters. I just don't understand how to attach a baluster to the horizontal beams top and the bottom without nailing nails from the top of the top beam and the bottom of the bottom beam or being hidden or invisible. The balusters have to be flush with the beams. Please help

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Comments (5)

PRO
Precision Carpentry
8 years ago
A picture would sure help since these don't appear from your post to be typical balusters.
jjjjade H
Original Author
8 years ago
OK, it's a rental house, so I will take a picture this Tuesday
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PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
Generally, you cut them to the exact length they require to slide them up into the handrail, then get the bottom tenon down into the hole. You may have to drill the top rail hole deeper, maybe a little broader, then secure with glue and a finish nail in each end.
Casey
jjjjade H thanked Sombreuil
jjjjade H
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi, I got the pictures now! I was taking the first pic at a slight angle, so you can see the entire view of the handrail, balusters, and the bottom beam.

The area not painted due to the attachment of the baluster underneath the handrail.

I got a little understanding of what sombrueil suggested. Still not quite sure how to do it. How were the 2 nails hammered onto the handrail underneath and how would a baluster be hammered together with the nails? I don't see the possibility hammering beneath the handrail. The only way I would imagine to be done is to use very long nails hammering from the top the the handrail into the handrail and down to the baluster. However, the nailheads would be shown clearly though.

So... use glue and attach the bottom of the baluster to the top side of the bottom beam. It is necessary to cut the baluster as a male that matches the female of the bottom beam???
PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
Sorry, for some reason I thought that you had a stair railing with round tenons at the ends of the ballusters.
You have a simple carpentry project. Drive the pointy nails back through, or if you're worried about splintering out the top side of the rail, pull them through with pliers. You cut new balluster stock to the same length and install them with #6 galvanized finish nails, #8 if you drive them down from the top. The bottoms will need to be toe-nailed, which means driving them at an angle. Pre-drill the hole in the balluster with a 5/32 drill bit so as not to split the wood. Use a nailset to countersink the nail heads, prime, putty the holes and paint. If you want to ensure against rot (if you have a rainy climate) prime the cut ends so they don't wick up water.
Casey
jjjjade H thanked Sombreuil

simple way to replace a few flush balusters

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simple way to replace a few flush balusters

Comments (5)

Precision Carpentry

jjjjade HOriginal Author

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Sombreuil

jjjjade HOriginal Author

Sombreuil

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BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jjjjade H
Original Author

jjjjade H
Original Author