Since you have young children, I would suggest that you not replace the railing with horizontal components. The temptation to climb up and over might be more than that of pushing a sibling through the gaps.

Adding another spindle will make it look very busy. You could connect it at the top as the others are and end at the floor rather than going all the way down.

Your railing does not meet code and you are right it is a safety hazard. I’d invest in a new stairs instead of making do until kids grow up.

Nice house. Is it possible the inspection will show this as a major code violation (in my county, the gap in stir railings can be no more than 4") and the sellers will have to address the issue?

If not, I like Houssaon's idea.

This likely reflects code when built and is thus not held to current code- until you touch it, in which case current code comes into play. I too think the best solution is probably combining existing with horizontal cable and turnbuckle system.

I think it would be fine to add 1 or 2 spindles between the current ones to meet code but end them on the floor rather than extending them. You maintain the look but update it for safety.

Check your local codes and see if adding an extra spindle will bring it into compliance. This is not a good photo of the concept, but I'm showing it for the size of these iron spindles. How about using two of these skinny ones between each of your existing ones, if you can't meet code by adding a single matching one? It will break things up a bit. I think it will just be too much wood the other way. Since there are lots of bolts in your stair design, you might have the metal ones finished to match those (they look like steel or pewter to me.)

River Respite · More Info

@missenigma That's super-interesting. I hadn't ever heard of that sort of safety netting. Not sure that we can live with that for the number of years it would take - but adding it to the list. Thanks!

@houssaon @calidesign I hadn't considered adding spindles but terminating them at the floor. That could be interesting. Thanks for the responses!

@flopsycat1 Sounds like you know our kids. :) Agreed on the solid horizontal elements - our 5 year old would be over the top railing before we could blink.

Safety netting doesn't make any sense because it doesn't fix the issue. You'll need to have the rails up to code before you sell in the future.

While I love the idea of the black metal spindles between the wooden ones, if you look at the location of the current spindles and their relationship to the handrail, I don’t think it would be possible to have the metal spindles stop at the step. They would be off line. A new handrail would have to be constructed. It is about alignment of spindles to handrail and steps.

@calidesign wrote: "You'll need to have the rails up to code before you sell in the future."

That would depend on local building codes and how they are written and enforced. In my municipality they would be grandfathered until substantial and structural alterations were being implemented.

But if it is true, since the OP is only under contract and the sale hasn't been completed, the current owner would be on the hook not the buyer (i.e., the OP).

Depending on where you are, if inspections haven't been completed, you may be able to have the sellers give you a credit to bring the railing up to code. Even if they aren't legally required to fix it, it doesn't hurt ot ask.

@calidesign @missenigma Yep, here (and in most places in the US, if I'm not mistaken) the IRC building code basically grandfathers most everything in until it's modified. Nothing that prohibits the sale based on bringing anything up to code, although you can always ask for it.

We're going to update this entire room including the railings anyway, so code isn't the biggest issue, as that will have to happen regardless. The bigger issue for us is: how to maintain the openness and distinctive style of the house while getting it up to code.

Thanks for all the thoughts!

Since you are going to update the railing, maybe a wood and metal one would work the best. Metal would have a thinner profile. Something like this.

Big Bear Cabin · More Info

You'll have a lot of railings! It's going to be incredibly expensive to do some of the suggestions. I have used thin polycarbonate panels for stair protection. Cheap and you can throw away in a few years. Are you sure you can't just tell your kids "If you don't push your sister through the railings by her 10th birthday you'll get a pony."?

With young kids, accidents happen, and it's not just teaching your own kids to be careful. When their friends come to visit you're liable for them also. I can't imagine not fixing the issue in a safe way right away.

Clear plexiglass panels. Eight foot panels end to end, covering the wood railings. Just lay them right across the balusters and tack them on.

I would consult with a staircase company. I think @theresen has the easiest solution for now. But updating them permanently will be a worthy expense for this special house. By the time you have the funds, your kids won’t be in danger. 😂