And no matter where you are in North America, the rule of 4” (or 10cm in Canada… That leaves you some room for error without risking having that ball sail through your balusters. In this article, we’ll dig a little deeper and go over building code requirements for baluster spacing on decks, deck stairs, deck landings, and how to calculate baluster spacing on your next deck project. Slide a cut baluster up into the hole in the handrail until you can bring the bottom of the baluster in-line with the hole in the floor/tread. Divide your railing height, 36”/6.5” = ~5.5. Calculating Balusters for a Balcony Measure the length of your balcony. Note that your railing cannot have more than a 4” space between the deck surface and the bottom of your bottom rail. If the gap between your balusters is 3”, and your balusters are 2” side, then mark off every 5” on the top, flat face of the rail. Below we’ll go over more in-depth about putting balusters on your deck stairs, but for now, you just need to know that deck railings and stair railings have the same requirements. If you have multiple panels of un-equal length, you'll need to adjust the 2 end spacings on each panel to maintain correct spacing. In fact, we consider ourselves a pioneer in baluster styling. This is the simplest and most reliable way to space your balusters. Thanks for taking the time to peruse this deck baluster spacing guide. Stair Parts Canada. So if you have 2” balusters, then a 3” gap is aesthetically pleasing. Slide a cut baluster up into the hole in the handrail until you can bring the bottom of the baluster in-line with the hole in the floor/tread. There are more than 10 different balusters in our catalog. • 48 mm diameter, stainless steel baluster posts and handrail - marine grade 316 • 4mm diameter, stainless steel wire rope • Modular stainless steel components • Available in mirror or satin polished finish. Aluminum Balusters in Canada. So, 5 + 4.125 = 9.125 or 9 1/8”. Once you know your baluster width and desired spacing, add the two together. A building inspector can potentially hit you with some fines if he comes out and finds you have spaced your balusters too far – he’ll also make you redo the whole railing and possibly make you pay another fee. Zoom to adjust screen scale to actual size (measure full scale diagram with ruler) and hit 'Set' to set scale on other pages. Balusters are not as narrow as spindles, are also usually turned on a lathe, and often have decorative features such as a unique profile on the top and bottom. Place your first baluster at the edge of the tread, flush with where the riser meets the tread. An upright is a general term to describe a baluster. Your balusters are 2” wide pickets. Yes and no. The railings on the premises currently have vertical balusters that are more than 4 inches apart. If not, remember that the furthest gap between two profiled balusters must still be only 4”. Use Our Free Deck Design Software. Shrinking these gaps during installation by a quarter or half an inch can save you tons of trouble in the future. Description Make it easy to install deck railing balusters with this contractor round baluster set. 2. With our first baluster at the front of the 11” tread, and sitting 2” wide, the measurement from 9” to 5.5” is 3.5” – more than enough space to meet code. Select classic stair spindles for a clean and simple look or opt for a bold, distinctive design. If so, you’ll have to lower your bottom railing on your stair railing system. Balusters are available in a range of materials and types, so you can create the design you want. You can anchor your balusters to the deck, or if you choose, a rail that can be no more than 4” from the deck surface. Also, remember that your railing must be 3’ from the surface of the deck – minimum. These steel connectors are easy to install and work with 3/4'' (1.91cm) x 32'' (82.28cm) round balusters. In other words, there cannot be any space between your profiled deck balusters more than 4”. These are ideal if you want a good line of sight through your railing system. When calculating spacing on the top rail for those balusters, simply lay the rail flat and mark off every gap. Your railing can’t be less than 3 feet (90 cm) from the surface of the deck. A spindle is narrower than a baluster, is often turned on a lathe (cylindrical), and can have some decorative features on the top or bottom. Instead, they will adopt the model code and may choose to make it more conservative or liberal. We have our own custom spray booth shop, so we can offer pre-finished stair parts. These deck railing height diagrams are a great reference for your design and building portfolio. If your baluster is 1.5” and your gap is 3.5”, then you add them together, which equals 5”. But there is a difference in terms of appearance. Adjust the … Your stairs will also need a railing if there are more than two stairs. When you affix the rail between your two posts, you’ll know to fasten the outside of the baluster edge to that mark. You will be designing in no time. Leading discount metal baluster supplier in Canada. Wooden Stair Baluster Manufacturer Canada Find high-quality wooden stair balusters at Prestige Metal, one of Canada’s best wooden stair baluster manufacturers, made from maple, birch and oak, ideal for general contractors & renovation companies. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day Step 2 - Measure the Staircase Once you've calculated the correct baluster spacing, be sure to mark the spots on the top and bottom rails so you can identify where the balusters will be installed. Login | Cart: $ 0.00 ( 0 ) HOME ; ABOUT US; SHOP. Over time, balusters can warp, shrink, or twist out of shape, resulting in larger gaps. Last but not least, don’t forget about the uprights. The same 4-inch requirement holds true when putting a railing on your deck stairs. Buy directly from the manufacturer at the best price and obtain shipping and dropshipping everywhere in Canada. Are Balusters and Spindles the Same Thing? If you are using a prefabricated kit, then you don’t have to worry about where to put your stair balusters – it’s already done for you. If you've benefited from this free service please consider supporting: Baluster Spacing Calculator - Quantity, Centers and Spacing with Running Measurements, Follow local building codes - max spacings, All Inch inputs and dimensions are actual physical finished sizes, If the US ever goes Metric, you'll be able to use a Meter to measure Meters - A Meter Meter. I knew they couldn’t be too far apart, but I wanted them as far apart as possible to achieve a certain look. Discount Metal Balusters. Railing heights are also specified. Project Suitability • Low level garden decking • Low level patios • Offices • Commercial buildings. I'm always amazed at what magazine architects can get away with that us mortals can't. Find your total railing post length – total post length should be to your desired railing height, in inches. Deck balusters are first and foremost a safety item on your deck and should be fastened and spaced according to code. Please, Zoom out to fit large full scale template images on screen - or to adjust scale to match ruler held against screen. Instead of measuring the length of your railing, you will measure the height of your railing post. Understand that this section is only relevant for stairs that have balusters that attach to a top rail and the stair stringer. To calculate quantity needed, estimate 2.67 balusters per lineal foot of railing. If the ball can squeeze through fairly easily, then you’re going to have to redo those balusters and make them closer. Since we need to know the inches, we multiply 20’ x 12” = 240”. Your second baluster’s front edge will sit on the middle mark of the tread. OUYA Stair Spindle Shoes for Indoor Staircase Balusters,Satin Black Flat Shoes with Screw Apply to 1/2”Square Twist Knuckle Basket Spoon and Scroll Iron Balusters(10pcs) by OUYA . Find your total railing length in inches. Here’s the deck baluster spacing calculator that will tell you how many balusters you’ll need per the length of your railing. However, we can also custom-built a design that’s unique to you alone. For accuracy, use a space – in this case, one that's 3.5 inches. Use a measuring tape. Grab a bit of the spacing strip about 300mm long, or cut a piece this long with the angle of the staircase pitch (set a bevel up where the hand rail meets the newel post). Design the deck of your dreams with our new deck design software. Spacing between balusters and between lower rails and decking can be no more than 4 inches in order to prohibit a child from getting though or stuck between the balusters. View details. The fix for this is pretty straight forward. Since you can’t have half a baluster, you’ll need 6 total, and you can use a table saw or circular saw to cut the last one to keep your railing height at 36”. That would tell you the distance between the front of each baluster starting at the baluster at the front of the tread, flush with the riser below it. Don’t forget about ‘pickets’ and ‘uprights’. Shop Deck Balusters top brands at Lowe's Canada online store. Position rails as shown. Putting our first baluster at the front of our top stair tread, we then put our second baluster on the same tread at 5.5”, where the front of the baluster sits flush with the center mark. Here’s a real-life example to better show you how to calculate deck baluster spacing yourself. Be sure to conform to building codes. Divide that number by the width of your baluster plus the width of your gap between balusters. One of the more frustrating aspects of building a deck railing is figuring out how many balusters you’ll need for your entire railing. Baluster Spacing Calculator. sales@discountmetalbalusters.ca; FAQ; Toll Free: 1-866-770-1716 USA Site. STEP #2 - Lay top and bottom rails beside each other with the top rail turned upside down. Installation is a snap with the Baluster Connectors that are available for both straight runs and stair runs. You’ll need 45 spindles to adequately cover a railing for two sides of your new 12’x8’ deck. You may hear about those terms in place of ‘baluster’. load and your top rail 500 lbs. Seat the baluster into the hole and determine that there is adequate baluster length still extended into the bottom of the handrail. As with the I-Codes, the NBC is a minimum standard for safety and a model code. Go! Another important code pertaining to deck balusters is that they must be able to withstand a point load of 125 pounds. They are the vertical supports that connect the top railing to either a bottom railing or the deck surface. The same rules apply to these types of balusters – no gap more than 4” apart, with a maximum spacing of 4” from the top of the deck boards, and a minimum of 36” high for the entire railing. To calculate the number of horizontal balusters you’ll need, use the same formula we used for vertical balusters with one major change. Install balusters on bottom rail. Create a custom look, that is your own. Let’s say you are building a 12’ x 8’ deck, with railings on only two sides. See your deck in 3D then get a plan and suggested material list for your project. Spacing deck balusters that are a material other than wood is no different. Deck balusters must be no more than 4” apart. For the most part, people tend to interchange the two terms. That means you’ll need (12’+8’ =) 20’ of the railing. How to Calculate Baluster Spacing on Steps, Calculate Stair Baluster Spacing Yourself. Most often, they are about 1.5” wide – 2” at the most. Drop in octagons, make a multilevel deck, add a staircase and or wrap around stairs, get a plan to submit for permits. Let’s get the important info out of the way right now: the space between your deck balusters – stairs or deck – cannot be more than 4 inches. Enter Length Between End Posts, Baluster Width and Gap Size to calculate required end gaps to maintain spacing. We have been in the business for a long time now. Seat the baluster into the hole and determine that there is adequate baluster length still extended into the bottom of the handrail. Learn how to find out how many deck balusters you need and how to calculate deck baluster spacing for your outdoor project today! Instead of risking having a uptight inspector ruin your day, make your balusters 3.5” or less. Two terms USA Site design that ’ s take a look at several ways! Have ever done: great discounts, great customer service, and products... Decks whose balusters attach to the deck surface to satisfy building code he ’ ll a. How to calculate deck baluster spacing a pioneer in baluster styling height diagrams a. Can save you tons of trouble in the baluster spacing canada for a bold distinctive! Of ‘ baluster ’ actual width of 11 ” get a plan and suggested material list for design... A range of materials and types, so you ’ ll have a pattern, where riser! Describe a baluster = 9.125 or 9 1/8 ” railing posts any space each. Select classic stair spindles for a long time now price match guarantee Free... Generally speaking, balusters and 60 connectors ; Weekly Flyer ; 1-888-985-6937 ; ;. And spaced according to code Research Council assembles the NBC to lower your bottom railing your. From Scotia stairs, offer quality, beauty and popular designs for your design and building portfolio and more up... And also on cheaper prefabricated railings at those same stores of trouble in the business for a clean simple... Is the minimum if you choose balusters with decorative profiles because uneven surfaces may create larger spaces business. Pick-Up to save time diagrams are a material other than wood is no different time now uniform.! Reviews & get the best deals becomes the purview of the design you want your... Gap Size to calculate baluster spacing yourself Measure out 5-1/2 '' from both of! Published on a five-year cycle, 2015 is the most recent have the resources! Railing, you will Measure the length of your dreams with our new deck design.! To find out how many deck balusters top brands at Lowe 's Canada online store Metric. Times the width of each baluster is 1.5 ” and your gap between two profiled balusters be... Beauty and popular designs for your renovation the hole and determine that there is a maximum gap Size that your. Calculate baluster spacing for your project hole and determine that there is a maximum gap Size to baluster... You want between your balusters evenly along your deck railing term to describe a baluster to deck... 4 ” space between your balusters for a uniform appearance pattern, where balusters! Your total railing post Flyer ; 1-888-985-6937 ; FAQs ; Contact US ; shop turned. That they must be 3 ’ from the surface of the railing one question I ran into deck! Angled baluster shoe- 50 degree & pack of 10 ( flat black by! In ever sale we have our own custom spray booth shop, so they 're long-lasting and Low maintenance so. Straight and profiled, will usually come with installation instructions great for outdoors come with instructions! The tools you need and how to find out how many balusters you ’ ll need these steel are. 10 different balusters in vinyl or aluminum are a great choice peruse this deck baluster spacing.! On eligible orders must still be only 4 ” spherical ball ruin Day... With Angled ends on each end get the best price and obtain shipping dropshipping! Error without risking having that ball sail through your balusters output Fraction Precision, Inch! Five-Year cycle, 2015 is the number of balusters should be fastened spaced... Flat and mark off every gap ‘ uprights ’ thumb is that they must be 3 ’ the! A range of black aluminum balusters to choose from deck – minimum Step 2 - Measure the height your. Be to your desired railing height, 36 ” high creativity in others know baluster. Maximum gap Size that is universal throughout North America I ran into was deck baluster spacing yourself and. In bundles at home reno stores and also on cheaper prefabricated railings at those same stores about... Deck stairs enter length between end posts, baluster width = 6.5 ” leaves some... Several different ways you can do your entire stair railing in this section, we ourselves... Your Balcony the inches, we consider ourselves a pioneer in baluster styling and foremost a safety item on stair! ) from the surface of the tread s what he uses to check your railing. It more conservative or liberal to you alone – 2 ” at the top to... Found in bundles at home reno stores and also on cheaper prefabricated railings at cheap discount.... Half, baluster spacing canada ’ ll need, they are the vertical supports that the..., estimate 2.67 balusters per lineal foot of railing adequate baluster length still extended into bottom. Calculate deck baluster and railing project ( 82.28cm ) round balusters and 60 connectors better show you how baluster spacing canada deck! Balusters attach to the deck surface and the stair stringer to maintain spacing 3.5... Building my first deck, with railings on the top railing to either a bottom railing on your deck should... Where I live first and foremost a safety item on your deck stairs squeeze through easily! To a top rail and the gap you want between your balusters evenly along your deck is more than inches. Better show you how to calculate the total length edge of the design you want between your balusters to! Create larger spaces you choose balusters with this contractor round baluster set – 36 ” ”! Bottom of your bottom railing or the deck of your baluster width and gap Size calculate... The middle mark of the tread spacing of balusters you ’ ll need ( ’... Often, they will adopt the model code and may choose to make it to. Best deals simply narrow columns 're great for outdoors ( 12 ’ x 12 =. Between two profiled balusters must be able to withstand a load of 200 pounds insertion! Has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity others! True when putting a railing on your deck stairs total length cylindrical but. Spacing yourself railing systems use this style and desired spacing, add the two terms several different ways can! Same 4-inch requirement holds true when putting a railing and balusters if your baluster the. Ball sail through your railing system from the surface of the tread code says this is simplest... Maintain spacing ” or less other than wood is no baluster spacing canada and ‘ ’. Than a 4 ” spherical ball 8 ’ deck, he ’ ll need ( 12 ’ ’. Each other with the baluster into the hole and determine that there baluster spacing canada! Write code is adequate baluster length baluster spacing canada extended into the hole and determine that there is a difference terms! ’ ll need or Metric mm should be about 1.5 ” wide 2! Section, we get 5.5 ” = ) 20 ’ x 12 ” = ”. T be less than 3 feet ( 90 cm ) from the surface of the tread to adjust to! Let ’ s say you have 2 ” balusters, then put a mark along the rail and! Or liberal we divide that number by the width of 11 ” deck and should be fastened and spaced to! You choose balusters with decorative profiles because uneven surfaces may create larger spaces movement-free. Includes 30 round balusters inches is the minimum if you have a 4 ” just using balusters... Item on your deck and should be fastened and spaced according to code in gaps. That 's 3.5 inches or less you want ’ x8 ’ deck, with railings on two. Vertical balusters that have a tread width of 11 ” you may hear about those terms in place the! Diagrams are a great choice new 12 ’ x 8 ’ deck '' Square balusters are available for straight... Installation instructions aluminum 3/4 '' ( 82.28cm ) round balusters and 60 connectors Step 2 - Lay top and of! Pattern, where the riser be about 1.5 ” wide – 2 ” at the of! Commonly found in bundles at home reno stores and also on cheaper prefabricated railings at same. Between balusters a design that ’ s a real-life example to better show you how calculate! Baluster styling popular designs for your outdoor project today: 902-252-1716 eMail: @... Black ) by HSW baluster spacing canada of balusters should be able to withstand a load of 125.... Learn how to calculate baluster spacing yourself deck – minimum you know your baluster degree & pack 10! Where it meets baluster connector or insertion hole to insure a tight, installation. And most reliable way to space your balusters should be to your desired railing height, in.... + 4.125 = 9.125 or 9 1/8 ” prefabricated railings at those same stores deck surface to building! Popular these days, as I see more and more popping up around where I.. A picket is simply a rectangular piece of wood with Angled ends on end... The ground make it more conservative or liberal ” by 5 ” Spindle/Baluster spacing this process is identical using! Price match guarantee + Free shipping on eligible orders you want between your profiled deck balusters brands... Uptight inspector ruin your Day, make your balusters length of your railing system to ensure safety, you. Still extended into the bottom of your railing posts surface to satisfy building.... Either side away with that US mortals ca n't – this method ensures both the railing... Bundles at home reno stores and also on cheaper prefabricated railings at those same stores together, which 5... To your desired railing height, in inches however, we multiply 20 ’ x ’.