January 23, 2015 – When it comes to beautiful stairs and accessories, wrought iron products like iron balusters enjoy a very special position. In recent years, wrought iron stair parts and accessories are widely considered to be among the most beautiful products of their kind. Where once there was a general misconception that wrought iron parts are crude in nature and lack beauty or finesse, the fact is, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Stair Solution offers one of the largest selections in the Southeast, with an extensive range of color and style options, perfect for any home or business. And while the options are seemingly endless, Stair Solution wanted to offer you answers to common misconceptions about iron balusters.
- True iron stair components have only been readily available for about 25 years, but their popularity continues to grow. Becoming popular in the 1990s in the home building and remodeling industries, iron balusters exploded in demand and to date have not diminished.
- While wrought iron can often be considered a more traditional material, newer designs and architectural structure can set this stair option as a much more current fixture. Today, iron stair parts and accessories are available in a wide range of styles and designs, from the Classical and the Victorian to the Modern and the Contemporary.
- Besides their great aesthetics, iron balusters also come with a host of other benefits such as better longevity, high durability and superb strength. Due to their intrinsic strength and durability, iron stair parts can lend a great deal of strength and stability. Additionally, improved process in manufacturing have virtually eliminated burrs and sharp edges from the metal.
- Because iron balusters come as individual pieces, you can put the pieces together to create your unique personal pattern. If you are planning to create a staircase that is like none other, you can custom build stair parts with wrought iron for a truly unique look.
- In the beginning, the only available powder coatings were a matte phosphate, flat black, primed, and silver vein. Matte phosphate is raw iron coated to keep it from rusting. Flat black had a sandy texture, allowing it to receive any oil based or acrylic paints. Silver vein was a texture black and silver speckled coating.
- As time has progressed, other colors have become available: satin black, nickel (satin and antique), oil rubbed bronze, copper patina, copper vein, and oil rubbed copper. Bronze and copper accents have become the most popular in design, as the colors worked well with oak, American and Brazilian Cherries, as well as the darker hardwoods such as walnut and mahogany. Now you have the chance to be totally creative.
- Modern day wrought iron products come with protective veneers and specially formulated coatings that help them resist the effects of rain, snow or humidity, thus making them suitable for use for indoors and outdoors.
- Given the intrinsic flexibility of the material, wrought iron products can be easily molded into various attractive shapes and designs without any noticeable loss of strength.
- All of the newly installed balusters are installed with a high grade contact adhesive. After 6 hours from the installation, the balusters will be completely set and solid as a rock.
- Iron balusters are 43″, 36” or 44″ in length, which will accommodate almost any situation. They are designed to be cut from the bottom (or long side). The top has a 3/4″ or 1″ long dowel that most believe is the upside for inserting into the handrail. However the dowel side was created by the manufacturing process, which is either cut off or inserted down, with the longer side cut during installation.
- Sizes of iron balusters vary from 1/2″ to 9/16″, 5/8″ to 3/4″. They come round or square, solid iron, tubular steel, or stainless steel.
- Wood and iron combinations can keep the price down, yet still provide the beauty and elegance of all iron staircases.
- Special attention can be given to the newel posts—the sturdy structural posts at the top and bottom of stairways. A more elaborate design at these junctures is both beautiful and structurally sound.
- The two best things about an iron baluster replacement is that it gives you the best bang for your buck in staircase remodeling, and also the transparency or “see-through” illusion, making spaces seem much larger. Your stair is now dramatic and substantial value is added to that first impression guests will have as they enter your home.
Stair Solution specializes in residential and commercial handrail systems for interior or exterior. Residential staircase makeovers include color and/or style change, decorative iron balusters or hardwood steps. Current trends reflect deeper richer color with modern lines such as box newels (post). Additional capabilities include custom fabrication of metal staircases (mono stringer) with horizontal stainless steel handrail systems or exterior maintenance free metal rail systems for deck, porches or entryways.
Stair Fun Fact: In castles with spiral stairways, the stairs always ascend clockwise!