News — iron balusters

Add Color and Character to Your Stair Remodel with Paint

Your staircase might fall on one end of this spectrum or somewhere in between: is it a beautiful focal point or a boring necessity in your home? If your staircase needs some love, we have great news for you. It's easy to do a quick stair remodel with a few cheap stair parts and a fresh coat of paint.

There are a few things you need to remember if you're going to use a splash of paint to revamp your boring staircase.

If your staircase is carpeted, be sure and rip up the carpet to get the most out of your stair remodel paint job. Odds are, your staircase has some lovely wood stairs waiting for your underneath that carpeting. The wood treads are probably also pretty dirty from spending years under a carpet, so be sure and give them a good clean before you begin painting.

You will need to sweep, vacuum and even scrub them with soap in order to ensure a clean surface for the paint.

Also, be sure to use masking tape to prevent paint from getting in areas you don't want it to be.

After you've selected your paint color of choice and decided where you want it to be, paint over the area with a base color like a white gloss. You'll need to wait for this base color to dry completely, which can be difficult in a high traffic area like your staircase, so plan accordingly.

Your options are endless when it comes to design and color, so get creative and try your best to match the feel of your home. Remember, you can always replace the wood treads you find under your carpeted staircase if they're ugly or in bad condition. You might also consider replacing your balusters to match your new paint job, and you can use our stair design tool to help you make that decision.

Good luck on your next stair remodel or project. Feel free to check out our FAQ section or reach out to us with any questions you might have. 

Best Practices for Storing Your Stair Parts

So you've decided to begin a stair remodel or new staircase project, and the first step is figuring out exactly what you need to get started for your new stair design. After you've figured this part out, it's time to place your stair parts order. Once your order arrives, it probably contains stair railings, iron balusters, and maybe even some newel posts. But what's your next step after they arrive?

It's time to store them until you're able to begin your stair remodel or project.

  1. You always want to store your wooden stair parts, like your wood stairs or wood balusters, in a place that's free of moisture. Moisture isn't good for wooden parts, and it should be avoided at all costs. The wood itself can be damaged by coming in contact with moisture whether it's on the concrete floors in your basement or near the ventilation on your AC Unit.
  2. Never store your stair parts in a dusty or dirty place. Not only can the dirt damage the finishes on your new stair parts, but it can create an unnecessary cleaning task for you before you begin you stair remodel or project. We recommend that you keep your stair parts in their shipping boxes in a moisture-free closet.
  3. Whether you purchased cheap stair parts or stair parts that are top of the line, it's important that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Additionally, if the storage area for your stair parts is too warm, it can also damage the wood by causing it to dry out and crack. Our recommended storage temperature is around 70 degrees.

If you have any questions about storing your stair parts order, please reach out to us on our Contact page.

Modern Staircase Design Tips

Modern staircases are becoming more popular in the interior design world, forcing homebuilders and remodelers alike to pay attention to the trends. Staircase design is one of the most challenging parts of an architect's job when designing a new home, and with all of the advances in staircase architecture, it's only getting more complicated. 

So if you're about to embark on a stair remodel or project, here are a few helpful tips to know about modern staircase design.

**Remember, staircase design must abide by your region's building code. Certain dimensions are required in many areas, as well as certain elements like guardrails.

1. The materials you choose will play a big role in creating the perfect modern staircase.

Whether you decide to incorporate glass or wide oak treads, your the options are endless for your modern stair remodel. Just be sure to keep in mind that glass treads, although beautiful, become very slippery with only a drop of water. Plus, there's a privacy issue because they're see through.

2. Incorporate modern design elements.

Thin iron balusters, wide treads, and "open" staircases are all very on trend in the modern staircase world. Finding stair parts can be more difficult for this type of stair remodel, so be sure to check out our online store for everything you need.

3. Make your staircase a design focal point in your home.

Your staircase is one of the most high traffic areas in your home, so why not make it a stunning, modern centerpiece? If you're building a new home, you have more control over the location of your new staircase, but if you're embarking on a stair remodel, you might have to work a little harder to make this happen.

If you want to try out a staircase design before making your purchase, be sure and check out our Stair Design Tool. Keep in mind that you can find all of the stair parts you need on our website. From your friends at Direct Stair Parts, good luck with your modern staircase design project!

Iron Shoes and Iron Balusters

Iron shoes are the accessories in the world of iron balusters.

Not only do they add to the elegant look that iron balusters have to offer, but they hide installation damage and other imperfections. Typically when you install iron balusters, drill holes and various other "eye sores" will be left behind. But remember, although they look nice, they aren't a part of the iron baluster's structure. Iron shoes are purely decorative. 

iron balusters shoes; Image: http://splashcarpentry.com

Installing iron shoes is simple: apply glue to the base of your iron balusters, slide the iron shoes onto the baluster, and then press shoes into place.

One of the most important things to remember is that your iron shoes must match the size of your iron balusters. For example, if your iron baluster is 1/2" wide, then the opening on your iron shoes must be at least 1/2" wide. Of course, your iron shoes should have an opening that is slightly larger than your baluster so that it can slide on without causing any damage, but most manufacturers are aware of this detail. Since iron balusters vary in size, be sure to pay close attention to this detail when selecting iron shoes.  

Hand-crafted and hammered iron shoes have a unique, Tuscan look that most designers prefer. Each iron shoe is a one-of-a kind piece. The only issue with these hand-crafter parts is that the sizes can vary from piece to piece. After placing your order, be sure and verify that each iron shoe fits your iron balusters before installation.

At Direct Stair Parts, we have everything that you need for a stair remodel or project. We have a wide variety of Iron Balusters and Iron Shoes to choose from. Follow the links to view our store.

Iron Balusters or Wood Balusters

So which one is better, wood or iron balusters?

One of the first questions you have to answer once you've embarked on your stair remodel or project is whether you'll go with wood or iron balusters. Each design has a totally different feel, and there are pros and cons to each. Custom stair parts have become so popular in the stair design world that this decision is becoming harder and harder, so we're going to compare wood and iron balusters to help you make a more informed decision.

 

 

Customization: Iron can be molded into a variety of different shapes, while wood is more limited. Yes, you can have wood balusters carved to fit your needs, but the variety of iron balusters already out there for you to choose from is much higher. Plus iron is much stronger than wood, so iron balusters can be molded into thinner shapes than wood.

 

Usage: Outdoors, it is certainly better to use iron balusters in place of wood because they can withstand the elements much better. Although you have the option to use wood balusters indoors, iron can still handle heavier usage than wood. Wood has the tendency to wear out quicker and lose its shine in as little as six months.

 

Durability: Iron is a much stronger material than wood, making it a more durable product. Wood is susceptible to termites, cracking, warping, and more, which means they'll need to be replaced more frequently. 

 

So if you're deciding between wood or iron balusters, keep in mind that either one would be a great choice from a design perspective. One thing to keep in mind? Iron balusters are more customizable and can withstand heavier usage. But for whatever you decide, we've got both wood balusters and iron balusters available in our online catalog.

 

 

 

Holiday Decorating for Your Staircase

The holidays are here, your home is decorated, and your shopping is (hopefully) almost complete. The team at Direct Stair Parts has one question: who says your staircase can't be in on the holiday fun? Decorating your stairs can be a challenge, so we've compiled a list of five holiday decorating tips for your staircase.

5 Holiday Decorating Tips for Your Staircase

1. Get started by adding a bright garland. 

 

2. Hang Stockings on your stair railing.

 

3. Add holly bunches.

 

4. Include small accents on your steps.

 

5. Add wreaths to your railing.

 

With these tips, you can completely reform your staircase this holiday season.

Get your staircase in the holiday spirit this year! For your holiday stair part or stair remodel needs, Direct Stair Parts is here for you. Our team wishes your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.