How to Replace a Wooden Banister Baluster
A baluster is a vertical piece of wood, often turned and decorative, that runs from the underside of your banister rail to the top of your step. Wooden balusters, while they are strong, can get broken. Some wooden balusters slide into place and others have a peg or dowel on the ends. Dowel-end balusters are common. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Saw
- Drill with bit to match the diameter of baluster end
- Measuring tape
- Trim paint to match existing stair trim
- Wood glue
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Instructions
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1
Remove the broken baluster from the banister. Cut the baluster in half with a saw if necessary.
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2
Twist the baluster forcefully to loosen the glue. Wooden balusters are glued into the banister rail and the stair tread usually using a dowel as a peg.
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3
Remove the dowel ends or pegs with a drill if the dowel is stuck in the banister hole or the stair tread hole. Use a drill bit with the same diameter as the hole.
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4
Scrape the dried glue out of the hole in the stair tread and on the underside of the banister.
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Paint or stain the replacement baluster and allow it to dry completely before putting it in place.
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Drill a hole in the center of top end and the center of bottom end of the baluster.
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Put wood glue into the holes and place a dowel into the glue filled hole at each end. Allow the glue to dry.
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Cut the dowels down to a 1/4 inch of at each end of the baluster.
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Put wood glue in the hole in the stair tread and the hole in the underside of the banister.
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Place the baluster into the holes starting with the end that fits into the stair tread then into the hole on the underside of the banister.
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Allow the glue to dry completely.
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Tips & Warnings
Balusters in standard lengths and in straight, tapered and turned shapes are available ready made at home improvement stores. Measure the size of the existing baluster and take it with you to get a good match. Remember measure twice, cut once.
If you are having trouble finding a matching baluster, some lumberyards will turn one to match.
Resources
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