Thanks for the input! I see you used the base plates. Was it difficult for him to install?

If you change just make sure the spacing is up to code.

Are you going to paint the handrail white?

We have white rails and are wanting to update to iron. But we've discussed painting them black as a cheap alternative. About how much does each iron post with hardware cost? Thanks!

The most cost effective and easiest way to update your staircase is to paint the rails white. This gives your house a new, clean look and never goes out of style. I only say that because you are not planning on staying in this house for too much longer and you don't want this to affect your resale value.

The hand rail will remain wood, but with less gloss. If we paint the balusters we will go with white vs black. I'm not sure yet on the prices.

I'd totally paint the balusters white, leave the wooden top rail and newel post. I hate the iron look, especially the base plates. The base plates bring your eye to a place it shouldn't be. I totally get wanting to update, and simply painting is perfect, not offensive to those who don't like the iron look, and is very cost effective. Painting the woodwork as well will totally update the home.

I’m in the same dilemma with our current house (built 1985) and have decided that I’m going to paint the balusters and the base white and leave the bannister and posts stained. I looked through tons of online photos and that configuration to me seemed to make the biggest impact. We put iron balusters in a house we built 12 years ago because it was the norm for new builds and I wonder if at some point iron will start to look dated whereas wood balusters have always been around and could argue that they’re “timeless.”