Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 7/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: i will have wood balusters in my new home, and want to get the iron ones, but they are charging 2700...my husband says we will get it done later, can i get it done later?



ANSWER: $2700 seems rather steep unless you are using a lot of Iron.  The balusters are the very last item that is to be installed into a staircase (newels first, handrail second, balusters last).  So, if you don't mind not having them, you can always do the balusters at a later date as long as you don't have children or have fear of someone going through under the handrail.

Right now, with construction slow, the standard inventory of iron has gone up as much as 40% due to the Chinese who have increased the cost of steel and iron being imported into the US.  However, many companies we are dealing with have inventories that they do not need and are willing to sell their iron at tremendously discounted prices.  We've been in the same boat.  I would shop around with the styles and powder coating you want and may find some real deals out there; and be able to cut that $2700 down by half.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i do have a small child and many small children, like nieces and nephews will be coming to stay with us, so for now, i would like at least the wood balusters..will that be hard to take them out and put iron ones in?

Answer
You may wish to use a primed or poplar pin top 1-1/4" wood baluster in the wait.  Primed is the least expensive and can be installed out of the box without touch up paint, since they already have a hardened semi-gloss finish.  Since they dowel into the handrail (requiring a 5/8" hole) you can use 1/2" iron balusters later with a shoe under the handrail, or a 5/8" round iron baluster that would fill the same hole.  Once installed, don't nail or glue.  They may rattle in place, but can easily be removed and the iron installed when ready.