Exterior Wood Balusters: Choosing the Right Material
One of the most important parts of any railing system, balusters help make your porches, decks, and stairways safer. The vertical shafts hold the handrail and together make up a balustrade. Without them, the railing would be less secure, and small children and pets would be able to slip beneath the rail. Balusters also help give a finished appearance to railings.
Architectural balusters can be made of many materials including stone, ceramic, iron, vinyl, and wood, and they’re designed to match the railing and any columns or posts that may be used in the same area. Wood is one of the most popular and frequently used for its versatility, appearance, ease of installation, and relative cost savings. When choosing a baluster, make sure you pay attention to the attributes of each before making a choice.
Baluster Appearance
One of the first considerations to make when selecting a material for balusters is the appearance. For residential projects, wood is the most commonly used material mostly for the way that it looks and performs long-term. Wrought iron and stone are materials that can also be used in this area, but they often have a very formal appearance that works better in commercial settings and some high-end applications, more than on the typical suburban home.
Vinyl is often considered a replacement for wood on exteriors, mostly because it’s considered a lower maintenance material, but vinyl balusters don’t have the same appearance as wood. They have a smoother, glossier surface that makes them look like what they are – plastic. And while white is a popular color for balusters, most homeowners want the ability to change the color of their railings as desired to match or contrast their trim and siding. Vinyl’s colors are more limited, usually to white and possibly an offwhite, and they can’t be painted, which limits their use and appearance even more.
Decorative wood balusters have some of the most options for style and appearance. They can be formed into decorative shapes or into sleek, modern shafts. They also pair well with bannisters and columns of nearly any shape and style, so it’s possible to create a plain or decorative look depending on the needs of the exterior and the architecture. Vinyl and other materials may have very limited options, but wood excels at versatility.
Долговечность и обслуживание
Balusters that are installed on porches and decks are both visible parts of the home’s exterior and exposed to a lot of elements that can cause wear and tear over time. Balusters used on upper story decks in particular, also need to remain in good condition to ensure the safety of the railing.
The durability and maintenance of the balusters needs to be considered when selecting materials. Ideally, the balusters need to be able to resist insect activity and rot in order to remain stable for the longest amount of time.
Vinyl Balusters
Vinyl is often thought of as a low maintenance alternative to wood, because it doesn’t require paint. The color won’t peel or chip off since it goes right through the plastic. However, vinyl balusters are not solid, and while some may have a core of aluminum, most are hollow plastic. Like all plastic, vinyl balusters can soften and warp in the heat. In cold climates, they may become brittle and crack, which compromises the integrity of the railing, and means that it may no longer be safe for use.
Деревянные балясины
There are many types of exterior wood balusters available for use. Cedar is common because it resists rot and insects naturally. However, cedar isn’t necessarily the strongest wood on the market, and over time it can dent and scratch with frequent use. It also needs to be primed prior to painting to avoid the staining known as “cedar bleed”, which can make it more time consuming to install.
Pressure-treated wood balusters are also fairly common. Pressure- treated wood can sometimes crack over time, and if the wrong fasteners are used, it can cause corrosion, which can compromise the integrity of the railing in other ways.
Pressure-treated wood may also warp, and may be discolored due to the chemicals used in the pressure-treating process, which frequently leads builders and homeowners to look for other materials.
Preservative-Treated Wood Balusters
A better option for wood balusters is preservative-treated wood, which is given a surface treatment to help create a more stable, rot-, and insect-resistant wood. Preservative treated wood like that produced by Belco Forest Products is also pre-primed and ready for installation, so it doesn’t require the same additional steps that cedar requires. The preservatives are also more eco-friendly than most pressure-treated wood chemicals, which can be attractive to many homeowners as well.
By choosing wood balusters made of preservative-treated wood, you get all the benefits of wood’s versatility and beauty, but with a better quality material that will resist the most common issues with wood.
Choose the Right Material for Your Exterior Baluster
The quality and appearance of balusters can have a big impact on the function and appearance of a railing, deck, or porch. Make sure you’re getting a high quality wood product like the preservative-treated primed wood balusters from Belco Forest Products to ensure your next project’s success.
Choosing Wood or Wrought Iron Balusters for Your Home
Balusters, sometimes called stair spindles, are architecturally essential to many stairways, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. They’re a great way to express your style!
The two most popular kinds of balusters are wood and wrought iron balusters. Both styles provide the structural support you need for a safe and code compliant stairway, but there are some important differences to keep in mind.
Деревянные балясины
If you’re aiming for a traditional look for your home, wood balusters are the perfect choice. Thanks to a wide variety of turned and blocked shapes, wood balusters offer a multitude of design options.
In most cases, wood balusters are styled with a square block section at the bottom of the baluster, while the top is intricately turned for a classic look. The top of the baluster either tapers upwards or transitions into another blocked section as it reaches the handrail.
With StairSupplies™ wood balusters, you can choose between contemporary and traditional cuts. Though subtle, this styling choice is significant. As demonstrated in the image, the difference is in the height of the square wood base at the bottom of each baluster.
The contemporary style matches the same slope as the handrail, and the height of the bottom wood block is adjusted for each baluster. This means each detail of the baluster flows from the bottom of the stairs all the way to the top.
The traditional style, on the other hand, appears more measured and sectioned. The base blocks are the same size on every baluster, so the block height is level on each tread.
Not only can you play around with the shapes of wood balusters, you also have the opportunity to pick from a wide range of wood species and finishes. StairSupplies™ offers both primed wood for painting and stain grade wood balusters.
Lighter wood species and stain options provide an antique, established look. Find a more modern aesthetic with darker finishes. And don’t forget the option to paint – white or off white wood balusters can look very clean and polished. Paint them black for a sophisticated and contemporary twist.
Кованые балясины
Classy and sophisticated, wrought iron balusters add timeless elegance to any stairway. With delicate twists, sweeping scrolls, or graphic shapes, iron balusters add strength and durability to your stairways and balconies.
Like wood balusters, there is a large selection of styles available. At StairSupplies™, we offer 16 different series of iron balusters in designs ranging from sophisticated to edgy. Many of these have iron newels to match, but they also pair well with wood newels, like Turned Newels or Box Newels .
When it comes to designing with Iron Balusters, many prefer to mix-and-match different styles to make a unique pattern. Of course you can use the same iron balusters for your whole project, like you might with wood balusters, but creating patterns is a great way to express your design aesthetic and make your newels stand out.
It can be a little tricky to imagine how different iron balusters might look together – try out your design on the Iron Baluster Design Tool as you dream up different patterns and designs.
Iron balusters are available in two different compositions: solid and hollow. Both provide strength and a variety of styling options – read more about the benefits of each in our blog Solid or Hollow Iron Balusters – Which are Right for You?
When it comes to colors, iron balusters can really pack a punch! If you like a more rustic look, you might enjoy Antique Bronze or Brushed Bronze. Interested in high-fashion elegance? Try Ash Grey, Silver Vein, or Antique Nickel. Our universal favorites are Satin Black, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Oil Rubbed Copper – they go well with so many design approaches!
Our previous customers have come up with some beautiful iron baluster designs. Here are a few of our favorites:
Проект № 254 – A recent winner of our photo contest, this homeowner created a beautiful example of what scrolled iron balusters can do to your stairway… open, elegant, and inviting. They selected the brushed bronze finish for an extra level of flair.
Проект № 258 – Powerful with a hand-forged look, these gothic style iron balusters create beautiful negative space thanks to a pattern of single and double knuckles. Shoes at the base of the iron balusters give it a grounded look.
Проект № 222 – Designer Series iron balusters pop in this simple railing project. The alternating height of the circle accents makes a subtle and pleasing pattern. We also think they look divine with box newels .
Проект № 244 – There’s so much to love about this versatile design! These homeowners used 3 styles of iron baluster: plain straight, long twist, and single basket iron balusters (from the Twist Series) to create a timeless stairway. They opted to install shoes on both the top and bottom to tie the look together.
Explore these projects and more on the Completed Projects page.
When it comes to stair and railing projects, you can trust StairSupplies™. We’ve been creating high-quality stairs since 2001 and we’re always thinking of new ways to serve your stair needs.
Explore our resources and fill out a Design Help Form to get started. Or, give us call if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see what you create!