How do I Make a Hallway Baluster?

Adding a baluster to a hallway adds to the overall worth of the home. To make this project easier for the do it yourself homeowner, there are a few common guidelines for building balusters. These guidelines hold true whether building them for the deck or hallway. The top and bottom rail stringers are usually 1 1/2-inches thick and the baluster rails, or vertical pieces, usually stay within 1 1/2-inches square and are cut to the length you require. This allows the option of adding decorative trim to the rail stringers to hide the point of contact between the rails and the balusters. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Determine the length of the baluster. Measure the distance from one end of the hallway to the other and write it down. If the length is longer than 8-feet, divide the space into even sections.

2

Cut the baluster parts. Cut one top rail stringer and one bottom rail stringer for each section with the electric miter saw. Remember to allow for the width of the divider posts if building more than one section. Subtract the thickness of the rail stringers from the desired height of the baluster and cut as many baluster rails, or vertical pieces, as needed to keep the space between them even when installed. The average height of balusters runs from 30 to 42 inches from the floor.

3

Mark the rail stringers and place them on a worktable. Measure the rail stringers and make a mark indicating the location of each baluster rail. To attach the baluster rails directly to the rail stringers, drill a 1/16-inch pilot hole through the rail stringers at the center point of each baluster rail.

4

Secure the baluster rails to the rail stringers. Apply some wood glue on the ends of the baluster rails and secure them to the rail stringers through the pilot holes with the finish nails. Once they are installed, place a bar clamp from the top rail stringer to the bottom rail stringer and tighten. Place one every 18 to 24 inches. Clean up excess glue immediately with a damp cloth.

5

Install the baluster. Using a table saw, cut the divider posts down the center lengthwise for the places where the baluster ends against a wall. Use finish nails to attach the rail stringers to the divider posts by nailing through the post and into the rail stringers. Secure each baluster section to the dividing posts with "L" brackets and wood screws. Secure the ends of the baluster to the walls with finish nails.