Your stair railings have a feature known as balusters. You might have heard it called by a different name- spindles. However, both terms mean the same thing. They refer to the vertical, vase-looking legs or posts on the railing. If you’re looking to install a baluster in your home, read on to learn about the specifics of using wood over wrought iron and vice versa.
Iron balusters
Wrought iron balusters are primarily designed to be as durable as possible. You can install wrought iron balusters on knee walls, treads and along flat surfaces e.g balconies.
Additionally, wrought iron balusters can be complemented with aluminum foot cover accessories to provide a unique touch.
Wrought iron balusters are sophisticated and classy. With them, you can achieve various stylish designs such as graphic shapes, sweeping scrolls and subtle twists that are aesthetically appealing and sure to last long.
Here are some of its main features:
Durability
More than anything else, wrought iron balusters are highly durable. Regular iron is rust-prone. On the other hand, wrought iron's reduced carbon content makes it more durable for stair railings than many other materials.
Customizability
Wrought iron is highly malleable. As such, you can easily achieve various effects with it. For example, you can get decorative inserts, complex curves and other intricate patterns or designs.
Wood balusters
There are wood baluster options for both exterior and interior application, although the latter is the most common usage. There are various tree species used in making wood balusters.
In North America, the most common is polar, cherry, sapele, birch, walnut and maple. On the other hand, Asian wood balusters are often sourced from mahogany, apitong, lauan and gmelina tree species.
Wood balusters give off a traditional, classic look and are usually styled with square-block bottoms. Here are some of the main features of wood balusters:
Naturalness
As a natural material, the effect of a wooden baluster is markedly different from any other material. It gives off a strong, outdoor feeling and is warm to the touch.
Finishes
A wood baluster offers various finishes, meaning that you can achieve any look you want. You can have the wood retain much of its natural texture and looks, or add unique finishes for various effects.
Which should I go for?
If you're installing balusters for exterior railings, wrought iron is ideal, as its durability means that the fixtures won't bend out of alignment or need steady repair.
On the other hand, wood's traditional and natural appeal might better complement certain indoor furniture, depending on the effect you're seeking to achieve.
At Bilger Railing and Stairs, we have several options for you to choose from to upgrade your stairs. Get a quote today.