14 years ago

We are at a loss with this 1980's white washed stair railing. I really don't know what to do. I have kids heading to college soon so I do NOT want to spend thousands, so a replacement probably won't happen. The biggest dilemma is the size of the handrail, and that the Balusters connect to the side of the handrail, and not underneath. Option one is to sand and stain dark... gonna be a LOT of work sanding... Option two is one I wish I could find an answer to... I was wondering if they made iron balusters that connect to the sides of the hand railing as mine do? If so I would take all of my balusters off , stain the newells and hand railing a dark stain, then attatch the iron ballusters....I have looked all over and cant seem to find any ballusters like this...

As you can see, I do not have a shoe rail... so this adds to my dilemma

Does anyone have any suggestions???

Featured Answer

Mariam Kushner

9 years ago

I have the same ugly stair case in the house we are buying. I plan on changing just the balusters with these: http://www.decksdirect.com/fortress-square-basket-picket.html

The project will cost $700 vs $6000 for an entire new metal rail and will take 1 day vs 5 weeks to install. I'll post a pic when it's done.

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Comments (25)

bepsf
14 years ago
You could have iron ballusters made by a local metalworker for your staircase...
...but if you're not looking to spend alot of time or money, perhaps a simple coat of paint is your best bet?
lauren90211
14 years ago
Peruse the "staircase" filter on the Houzz homepage for ideas. I don't know your style but perhaps you can get some ideas there.
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hilltop1155
14 years ago
I think you are looking for "face mount" balusters.

http://pegatha.net/balusters.aspx
https://www.deckandfenceoutlet.com/balusters/face-mount-balusters.html

Good luck -
Houseofsticks
14 years ago
Not sure if this is cheaper...add the wooden "face to the outside where the baulsters are visible and top with a ledge for rail and wider ledge at landing then box in the post and top painted in a soft white.
jmulls
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Thank You Hilltop, Face Mount balusters is the term I needed, and doing a google has provided my wife what she is really looking to do. So my next question... the wood Balusters are screwed in with 3 screws, then covered with a button that was sanded flush... what is the easiest way to drill through the wood to get to the screws to remove the balusters?

Thanks a million
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Mona Ives
14 years ago
If you are moving out soon, I'd just paint them a new color. Iron ballusters or different ballusters will cost you major cash in materials plus labor.
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ARTACO Railing Systems
14 years ago
ARTACO Railing Systems offer many attractive and affordable railing and staircase solutions that will add value to your home: www.artacorailing.com
feeny
14 years ago
I'm going to suggest a different approach because I think your whitewashed wood stair railings could look great in the right surroundings. Here's a search of "whitewashed wood" photos on houzz for some inspiration on how to decorate with whitewashed wood so that you don't feel it looks dated:
https://www.houzz.com/photos/whitewashed-wood-phbr0lbl-bl~l_41731
I'm suggesting this mostly because on a different discussion thread the other day so many people were suggesting whitewashed wood as a solution to brighten a room with wood panelling. It made me look at some photos of rooms with bleached and whitewashed wood, and I thought some of them were quite beautiful.
A few favorites:
Dining Room | Sarah Richardson Design · More Info

lowcountry river house · More Info

kitchen · More Info
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Corinne Madias
13 years ago
YES whitewash is very current.You are undoing what everyone is doing.Please search whitewash and driftwood in houzz. The rails arent the problem its everything else. If you like modern you could switch out rails for glass. The rails you have look very well done/finished,very clean.
Summer
11 years ago
I have the same issue here with my balusters and rails. What color should I paint/stain them to make them more current?
Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
i'd change them out. another color they are still the same. we went from what you have to these. best money we ever spent.
Summer
11 years ago
I wish I could. Yours look great! It's just not in the budget for us right now. Eventually I would love to. I hate how dated mine look! :-/
Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
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Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
i'd paint a white or grey then. not black. it's what we would have done if the "new baluster fairy" couldnt visit us.
LaRiena D
10 years ago
What is this style of staircase called? We're looking at buying a home that has this stairway and I'm trying to figure out what I can do with it. I find it so dated and busy - very masculine looking. I'm planning to paint all the molding and trim white...white walls etc. the floors will stay the same mostly and this staircase...I'm just at a loss with what I could do to it. Our taste is old works meets modern. We had an old classic brick row home in Philadelphia that we remodeled to a restoration hardware look I loved. I don't think it's possible to repeat that in a 1988 suburban home but here's to wishful thinking. Ideas?? Anyone? Please? :)
sharayak
9 years ago
Those stairs are actually very nice. All the beige is what looks dated.
debpezzutti
8 years ago
I have the same staircase and have been trying to find a way to update it. This thread goes back many years. Would someone who has updated theirs please post an update (pictures)? Looking for ideas of what is possible. Thanks!
Lisa Shovlin
7 years ago
me too! I have the same staircase and need help!
HU-883110816
4 years ago
I have this staircase and im trying to figure out how to update! Does anyone have pics of their updates?
Kim Matthews
4 years ago
glad I found this thread...we have the same awful staircase :(. Our is that orange wood color and thinking about painting the base white and replacing the balusters with these: https://www.decksdirect.com/deckorators-traditional-baluster.html

I'm not keen on the bannister although maybe painting it white will suffice for the time being. Would love any other suggestions as I am having trouble figuring out what even to search for to see what is out there!
mural queen
4 years ago
same ugly staircase here! but stained a dark wood in a low light entryway. I'd love to paint them but was looking for ideas.
Barbara
3 years ago
I have the exact white staircase and i am searching everywhere on the internet for help with a remodel! please send any helpful suggestions! many thanks!
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Laura Vlaming | Arkiteriors
2 years ago
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Laura Vlaming | Arkiteriors
2 years ago
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