Banister replacement

[MrsK]

So, this happened today. (How it happened is a topic for another thread to be titled "exorcism of kindergarteners"). This is the second spindle broken and I know from past experience it can't be repaired. How much is it going to cost to replace the banister and spindles? What type of craftsman do I call? Do I need to recarpet at the same time? Paint? I wanted to do wood steps eventually and was waiting to replace the banister then. When my kids are less destructive.

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[MrsK]

More photos

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[OrionGrad]

Banister replacement

Eek! This is totally my fear. If you want to re-carpet or add hardwood, I think this would be the time to do it, but I imagine this project will be $$$. (But I might totally be wrong! 🤞&#127995

ETA: Are you sure it's really impossible to replace an individual spindle?? I feel like that's something a craftsman should be able to do.

[medpedspouse]

Yikes! How scary!! I'd bee thinking iron spindles!

[MrsK]

Eek! This is totally my fear. If you want to re-carpet or add hardwood, I think this would be the time to do it, but I imagine this project will be $$$. (But I might totally be wrong! 🤞&#127995

ETA: Are you sure it's really impossible to replace an individual spindle?? I feel like that's something a craftsman should be able to do.

I looked into it once before and they were unable to match the existing spindles

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[OrionGrad]

Could a craftsman re-create the 2 spindles to match? I have to imagine that would be cheaper than redoing the entire thing. Unless you're wanting to redo the flooring and banister anyway.

[MrsK]

Yikes! How scary!! I'd bee thinking iron spindles!

I am too. But then, $$$.

The first one that broke was near the bottom so I've been postponing this project. I really wanted to wait on redoing the steps because I hate carpet. But my kids are rough on the stairs so I'm afraid wood would be too dangerous and too easily damaged now

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[ides]

If you can find a wood worker/contractor they can make the two spindles for you. Check into this option first before going for the full rebuild. I had my banister replaced and it was hand built- you couldn't buy the shape of post and spindles I wanted, even though they were a simple design.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

The problem with wooden stairs is that they're slippery. I thought I wanted them until I had kids. Now I think you need a runner on wooden stairs.


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[MrsK]

The problem with wooden stairs is that they're slippery. I thought I wanted them until I had kids. Now I think you need a runner on wooden stairs.


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Yeah. That's why I wanted to wait until the kids are bigger. And because they slide down the steps in the laundry basket despite my objections.


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[spotty_dog]

My stairway has a couple of balusters that are clearly replicas. They're cut from a different grade of wood, with a different shaped "bulb" to the decorative knobbies. But under a coat of paint, you can't tell unless you really scrutinize. I'd call another carpenter.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Can you do different ones in the interim? I would just choose something functional for safety right now.


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[SoonerTexan]

Unrelated note--in some of my recent Realtor.com therapy, I found a home that had no bannisters on the bottom half of the stairs. At all. (The top half was surrounded by walls as part of the structure of the house)