Flowers Flooring Adds Stair Railings and Spindles to Repertoire
Stair railings and spindles are the foundation of any stairway. Not only are they a necessary safety feature, but they can provide a sense of class and elegance to a home. Often the first thing you see when you enter a home is the stairs, so you want to make sure your first impression is a good one. That’s why homeowners choose to upgrade or enhance their stairs with new spindles when they start to look outdated. It’s an especially good idea to tackle this project when you have new floors installed to create a cohesive look that complements the flooring.
What Are Spindles
Spindles, also known as balusters, are the vertical structures that hold up the railing, also called a balustrade. However, the terms balusters and balustrade are less common than they once were. They come in various designs, from simple to ornate, and are most commonly made of wood or iron. The style and material of the spindle set the tone for the overall aesthetic of your staircase.
Building Codes for Stairs
Handrails are required on both sides of stairs, and local codes dictate the height and length. Spindles are an important safety aspect of a staircase. In fact, in the U.S., building codes usually require that they are spaced no more than four inches apart to keep someone from accidentally falling through or getting stuck. If yours are spaced further apart than four inches, it’s a smart idea to get new ones installed to bring your home up to current code standards.
Stair Railing and Spindle Options
If you start to research your options for stair railings and spindles, you will quickly find there are a ton of options from size, shape, and material to color and finish. The most popular material for spindles and railings for interior stairs are wood and metal. Outside stairs have additional options like concrete, composite, or stone. While primarily functional, spindles can also be decorative. In general, the more decorative, the higher the cost. Wood spindles also tend to be less expensive than metal. Spindles can be round, square, or even octagonal. Railings come in a variety of shapes as well.
Wood Spindles and Rails
Wood is the most popular material for spindles and railings. It can be stained and refinished or painted to match any décor or floor. As mentioned, wood tends to be lower on the price scale but can escalate in price as the design becomes more intricate. Some of the popular wood styles include craftsman, mission, and colonial. If you currently have wood spindles and would like to replace them with a different style, it is definitely possible and could change the whole look of your staircase. Don’t feel like you are stuck with what you currently have in your home.
Metal Spindles and Rails
Metal or wrought iron is also a popular choice. Metal is certainly the way to go if stair railings are going to be installed outside due to its longevity and resistance to weather, but more and more homeowners are opting for metal inside as well. Metal spindles and railings are more expensive than wood but hold up to wear and tear better than wood.
You may have noticed in some homes that people do a combination of wood and metal. A wood railing offset with iron spindles is a trend that gives a staircase a very high-end, custom look.
Upgrade Your Home with New Stair Railing
Get rid of outdated or out-of-code spindles and upgrade your stairs with a fresh new look. As you have probably guessed, there are a lot of options to choose from when doing your staircase. The flooring professionals at our Flowers Flooring showrooms can help you find the perfect option for your home.
About Flowers Flooring
Flowers Flooring is your family flooring specialist with two locations – Cornelius, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation, including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting, and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.
