Mixing Styles of wood balusters

[Rockuf8]

Apologies for not having been on much and the garage reno has being put on as I am trying to tackle home renovations I started a few years back which really need to be completed now due to my wife finally being pregnant after 2+ years of trying/waiting, fertility..etc.

My question was regarding indoor stair railing design.

I replaced the existing turned newel with a larger, heavier box newel and would like to update the baluster/railing too.

It's a short railing that only spans 6-7 steps. I always liked the look of using several different styles of balusters together on one railing, and I prefer heavier, thicker 1 3/4" balusters over 1 1/4" variety. Mixing and alternating twisted, fluted, regular turned balusters has a ornate look and would work well with all of the trim work I have done in my home. The balusters, railing and railings would be painted in a light cream/black color shame to match the other painted trim work throughout my home.

I had planned on using a lower rail, don't particularly like how balusters look going straight into the tread.

1. Does anyone have examples of different styles of tapered wood balusters used together on one railing.

2. Are railing designs with lower rails considered dated? Should I consider balusters that go directly into each stair tread instead of using a lower rail?

Thanks!

 

[Zeke]

Do what you want and don't worry about a bottom rail. I think it's easier anyway. AFA mixing, I would think 2 styles is enough alternating.

Here's a one with a center twist between turned:

Very classy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My house was built in 1913 and the balusters are very similar to the photo above - alternating smooth and spiral, with the bottom end nailed right to the stair treads.

 

[Rockuf8]

Most would find this overkill but I happen to like alternating more than one baluster. I have a lot of ornate furniture in my home.

 

[Zeke]

Yeah, that wouldn't work too well with me. Too gingerbread. But that's what makes us all individuals.

 

[Rockuf8]

Gingerbread? Yah, no I don't like Gingerbread either, didn't think Gingerbread when I saw that, damn you lol.

I may just do two then or all same twisted balusters since I like that style best. Originally I was going to go with some oversized balusters but it limits which hand rail I can use.

 

[Woody610nb]

It will be difficult to find 1 1/4" balusters with the details you like. Most twisted, fluted and barley twist balusters are in the 1 3/4" size. The problem you may face is, with three different balusters, you should place 3 per step, which may start getting a little close on a modern staircase. Please do not use a bottom rail, it looks so handy man style as opposed to a professional job.

 

[Rockuf8]

It will be difficult to find 1 1/4" balusters with the details you like. Most twisted, fluted and barley twist balusters are in the 1 3/4" size. The problem you may face is, with three different balusters, you should place 3 per step, which may start getting a little close on a modern staircase. Please do not use a bottom rail, it looks so handy man style as opposed to a professional job.

I'm not going with 1 1/4" balusters, way too thin. Three Balusters going into a tread look a bit tight to me, although I like the way 3 balusters look above the tread if that makes sense.

That's what I was asking, if a bottom rail looked cheesy or not, that's what was there, just thought it looked cleaner to me for some reason.

 

[Rockuf8]

Figured I would post a few pics of how the stairs turned out, part of my whole house reno

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[APEowner]

Very nice! I think you made excellent choices there. It's cool the way the hand rail snakes around the wall. I don't remember ever seeing that before.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Impressive work! It looks great.

 

[Rockuf8]

Thanks, I installed all the trim and shadowbox moulding. I had help with the handrail and spindles he's but it was my idea. Stair guy says he'd never seen that either.

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