Need opinion on wrought iron balusters!
Melissa Austin
6 years ago
We want to update our spindles from the white wood but I can’t decide which to pick! We have to spindles per stair. Do I go with alternating two baskets and one basket, alternate a single or double basket with plain twist, or alternate a double basket, plain twist, single basket, plain twist? The stairs can be seen from foyer and great room.
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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 MoreHow to get a flat black/wrought iron finish on forged steel?
Comments (6)Heat works also, but be careful! About fifteen years ago, the company I used to work for had a furniture store business with several branches among its holdings. I wasn't directly involved in the furniture side of things, but they'd occasionally bring by pieces for repair since we had a fully-equipped shop to handle our equipment rental business. One of the more common repairs, was to broken dining sets. The decorative wrought iron chair backs and legs took a beating, and needed welding. Even though the parts were fairly stout, they were often joined only by several small tack welds. Once the parts were cleaned up with a scotchbrite pad or sandpaper, they were either MIG welded, or gas welded if the parts were smaller. While the metal was still pretty hot after welding, the parts were spritzed with flat black spray paint. The heat crinkled the first coat of paint, and the texture/finish could be manipulated fairly easily with some practice. The repairs were nearly invisible when done. If you can find something of similar size and density to the parts you're refinishing, you can practice a bit before committing to anything. Heat the pieces up with a propane torch or something similar, and fog on a coat of paint while the metal is still hot. If the metal is too hot, the paint will bubble and crinkle too much.....just experiment a little....See MoreWood vs Iron Balusters
Comments (3)I agree it is more a matter of style of the home. But "out West" here they are still used a *lot* in high-end homes, which are usually fairly ornate. That being said, do what you will love. You will be living there. Maybe you will start a NJ trend. :)...See More
pink_peony
6 years agoMelissa Austin
6 years ago
pk2003
6 years ago
User
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Sebago Gal
6 years agoI love mine! I couldn't zoom in on the picture I liked all the rods to be the same with just a basic twist - I've received tons of compliments. I don't think they are dated in fact I feel they care coming back in stye.
Helen
6 years agotqtqtbw
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoDo the new models you visited have stucco, brick and stone work exteriors? The iron goes with the Tuscan look.
Your house and furniture looks to be Georgian/ Colonial traditional/ transitional. A classic style. Those houses look good with the white spindles, wood treads and white risers, with or without a stair runner.
212 14th Ave South · More InfoHere is one with simple rods, but i still would not spend money to do this as a retrofit.
Regatta Bay Golf Course/Lakefront home · More InfoMelissa Austin
6 years agoCarolyn T
6 years agoUser
6 years agofunctionthenlook
6 years ago
Judy Mishkin
6 years agobtydrvn
6 years agobtydrvn
6 years agobtydrvn
6 years agoMelissa Austin
6 years agoWe’re about halfway done and I LOVE IT!!! Changes the overall look dramatically. We decided a double basket and single basket on one step, then the next step with two twists and alternate it going all the way up.
Ashley Horn
6 years agofunctionthenlook
6 years agobtydrvn
6 years agoMelissa Austin
5 years agoFinished product attached and I LOVE it!! Now to update my lamps and end tables...sigh
btydrvn
5 years agoMelissa Austin
5 years agofunctionthenlook
5 years ago
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