News — iron balusters

Most Commonly Repaired Stair Parts for a Stair Remodel or Project

There are a few things that you should look for when you're trying to get a handle on the wear and tear that your stairs are sure to endure over the years. 


The first step is identifying the problem.

There are a number of difficulties that you can experience when dealing with stair parts and repairs. These problems can come in all shapes and sizes and can range from creaky steps, loose iron balusters, to damaged railings. The first step in the restoration or upkeep of your staircase will be to access the problem. This can be accomplished by traveling your staircase and listening for squeaks and feeling for loose steps. Once you’ve pinpointed a problem, you should visually inspect the area, looking for gaps or other signs of wear.

The Most Common Repairs 


Whether you are undergoing a stair remodel or just practicing routine maintenance, there are issues that are sure to arise. The most common of these issues are usually loose stringers and squeaky stair risers or treads.

Loose Stingers. If you are unfamiliar with stringers, they are the diagonal stair parts that abut the risers and treads on a staircase. Stingers tend to spread apart over time due to poor original workmanship, inappropriate repair, or most often, because of wall movement called house settling. When this occurs, risers and treads become loose and begin pulling from their housings. The process of repairing this issue can be easy to accomplish with the proper guidance and expertise.

Squeaky Stairs. Of all the issues that you can intend to find, the most frequent will be squeaky stair risers or treads. Typically, stair risers and treads aren’t nailed down. It is common practice to use wedges instead in an attempt secure these stair parts while keeping them squeak-free. When squeaking does arise, it is usually because these wedges have become loose. Of all of the repairs that you are sure to undergo, this is usually the most simple. By re-tightening and securing the wedges, the squeaking should subside, and you’ll be on to the next project in no time at all.

Whether you’re dealing with iron balusters, loose stingers, or just a few squeaky steps, it is always helpful to have an expert on your side during any stair remodel or repair project. Direct Stair Parts has the resources you need for any stair project, including detailed diagrams, a stair parts specification guide, and best of all, the most premiere stair parts at the best prices. Contact us today so that we can answer your questions and help you find the quality stair parts that you need.

This Year's Best Staircase Trends

Every year new trends emerge in the stair parts marketplace. It usually takes a few years for them to pick up steam, but once they do, you'll see it in stair remodels everywhere. Whether you prefer a classic stair design or a more modern staircase, the trends of of the year have a unique combination of the two.

Unique Iron Balusters

Iron balusters have been trending for years, but these unique designs have started to show up in stair parts shops all over the country. You can now find iron balusters with geometric shapes, arches, and various other lovely designs.

Dark Treads

Wood stairs are as classic as you can get, so it's not surprising that a new spin on this classic preference has come to the light. Designers are beginning to use darker stains and woods to give treads a striking elegance.

Natural, Eco-Friendly Wood Stairs

Going green seems to be the trendy thing to do in 2016, and staircase design is no exception. Designers have started to source wood stairs that are free of chemicals from local distributors for a more eco-friendly approach.

Minimal Staircases

The Tiny Home Movement has sparked the consumer's desire for less in their homes. And with less square footage, the more minimal the staircase, the better. Spiral staircases, staircases with stair railings, and other variations are very trendy right now.

Spring Decorating Ideas for Your Staircase

It's warming up outside and colorful flowers are coming in, springtime is definitely in the air. Spring cleaning has commenced, and bright decorations are popping up everywhere you look. If the decor in your home is going to shift for spring, don't ignore one of the most visible places in it: your staircase.

Instead, let your staircase steal the show with some beautiful spring decor. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for the season.

1. Add a springtime wrap to your handrail. Go to your favorite craft store, pick up about 15-20 feet of your favorite floral line, and wrap it around your stair railings. You can even experiment by adding the floral line to other stair parts like your iron balusters.

2. Add brightly colored, temporary wallpaper to your risers. You don't have to adjust your permanent stair design to play with this colorful addition. Simply purchase a few different springtime wallpaper designs and get started.

3. Create a springtime collage on the wall. Although this might be the most expensive idea, it is definitely a stunning one. Start by collecting images that are in line with your theme, buy matching frames for each images (or mismatch them, either way!), and get hanging! You'll love the updated look this springtime decor adds to your staircase.

Deciding on Iron Balusters for Your Home

The beauty of your staircase design is in the details, and a lot of preparation goes into making those details beautiful. Material, design, and layout are all very important when it comes to planning a stair remodel or project, but don't worry, once you get started, the process isn't long or treacherous.

So what if you decide to use iron balusters in your new staircase design? You have a few options to choose from.

The simplest options that you have are the Gothic, Medallion, and Mediterranean iron balusters. If you're looking for a more basic design, then you'll love the Gothic and Mediterranean options. Whereas the Medallion option includes a round cutout within the baluster that can seem a bit more flashy.

If you love the ribbon look, then you'll love our Ribbon, Twist & Basket, Mega and Knee Wall options. While the basic Ribbon design is more classic, the Twist & Basket and Knee Wall options come very close. For a bolder look, you should check out our Mega iron balusters. The more intricate designs include our Scroll and Belly options. These gorgeous accents will make any onlooker pause and admire your new addition. You can also add a decorative panel to give your stair remodel extra flair.

Visit our online shop to choose from our great selection of iron balusters today.

Upgrade Ideas for Your Stair Remodel

Changing the look of your staircase is a big project, but in the end, homeowners agree that their stair remodel was always worth it. This high traffic area in your home endures a lot of wear and tear over the years, so it's important to keep your staircase looking new and your stair parts in good condition. If you're not sure what to do during your next stair remodel, check out our list of suggested upgrades below.

Under the stairs storage.

Say goodbye to wasted space and hello to your beautifully efficient stair remodel. That valuable real estate below the staircase has often been ignored in home designs, but in recent years, designers have been getting creative with the extra space. Adding this area beneath your staircase is not only practical for storage purposes, but it creates another attractive, decorative area to your home.

Add wallpaper to risers.

This simple upgrade can be done with a few rolls of wallpaper and a free Saturday. You'll want to make sure that your staircase is clean and that you have good looking wood treads in place to properly accent your new wallpaper design. The best part about this upgrade? It's easy to remove the wallpaper and change the look of your staircase any time you'd like. You can find plenty of ideas on Pinterest and other home decor websites.

Transition to iron balusters.

Trading in your old balusters for a beautiful set of iron balusters is a guaranteed way to upgrade the look of your staircase. With a variety of finishes to choose from, finding the right set of iron balusters for your home's staircase isn't a complicated process. Upgrading your staircase doesn't have to be a big, expensive project. Even the smallest additions can make a big difference.

Be sure and check out our website for all of your stair parts needs. Starting on your next stair remodel or project can be tricky, so be sure and check out our page on getting started.

How to Keep Your Staircase Clean for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and we find ourselves asking where has this year gone? Whether you're ready for the holidays or not, we are less than two weeks away from Thanksgiving and a little less than six weeks away from Christmas. One of the inevitable things that happens during the holiday season is an influx of foot traffic in your home. This increased traffic affects every part of your home, especially your staircase.

Keeping a clean staircase can be challenging during the holidays. Stair railings are touched by new (sometimes dirty) hands, iron balusters are grabbed and knocked, and new stair parts added this year will begin seeing some wear and tear. Remember, every part of your staircase will begin seeing some wear and tear after the holiday season, but that doesn't mean that keeping your staircase clean will be an impossible task.

Here are our top tips for keeping your staircase clean for the holiday season.

Keep your staircase clear of random objects. Occasionally you'll decorate your staircase with garland, presents, or even ornaments for the holidays, so keeping an uncluttered staircase becomes an even bigger task. Make it a family effort to keep laundry, toys and various other things off of the staircase during the holiday season. This is not only going to make for a safer environment for your visitors, but it's also going to create a clutter-free look on one of the highest traffic areas in your home.

Sweep and/or vacuum stairs. If you have a carpeted staircase, you will want to use a vacuum to pick up unwanted dirt. You may need to use your vacuum attachments to get tight corners or cracks. If you have wood stairs, you will want to use a broom to sweep dirt and debris starting on the top step. Sweep dirt from the top step down to the next step, and so on. This way, you can pick up the dirt from all of your stairs on the floor at the bottom of your staircase. If you have a combination of carpet and wood on your staircase, you will have to use both a vacuum and a broom to clean it.

Dust your treads and balusters. Keeping your stair parts dust-free adds a clean feeling to your staircase that your guests will admire. Dust accumulates on wood stairs, wood balusters, newel posts and in a variety of other places depending on your stair design. Don't forget to check the nooks and crannies that you may forget about in a routine dusting. Also, you may need to use a rag to pick up the tough dirt that's accumulated on the treads. You'll see a huge difference in the look of your staircase after you give it a good dusting.

Keeping your staircase clean during the holiday season doesn't have to be an impossible task. If you stay on top of these three things, your staircase will be safe and inviting for all of your holiday guests.