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Balusters, also commonly known as spindles, do more than just connect the handrail to the treads of your stairs. Despite how simple they appear, they are essential to your homes. They are not merely supports placed for your handrail. They serve a particular purpose – that is, providing safety for you and your family.
Balusters are there to protect you from accidents. That is why it is a must that they are up to code. Placing balusters in your homes cannot be done haphazardly. Specific rules must be followed to ensure safeness and functionality. The 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) provides for the four-inch sphere test. It means that a four-inch sphere should not be able to pass through between your balusters. This provision ensures that your house is safe, even for small children and babies.
Today, we will teach you how to space the balusters in your homes properly.
In general, there are two places where you put balusters – the stairs and the balcony. How to compute for the proper number and spacing of balusters depend on this factor.
Balusters for balconies
The first thing you should do is measure the length of your balcony. Get a measuring tape and secure it to one end and pull it until you reach the other end. Once you have the measurement, you can then multiply the number by 3. For instance, the end-to-end measurement of your balcony is 20 feet. Multiply 20 feet by 3, and you will get 60. You will need 60 balusters in total for your balcony. One important thing to remember is that if the distance is not a whole number, you have to round it up. Let’s say; the distance is 40.6 feet; you should use 41 as your multiplier.
Balusters for stairs
The first step is to measure the depth of a single tread from back to front. You need to place as many balusters as necessary to meet the four-inch sphere test. For example, your tread is 12 inches; then, you have to put 3 to 4 balusters (depending on the thickness of your baluster) to meet the standard.
The second step is to count the number of treads in your staircase. You have to multiply this number with the value you have determined in step one. Let’s say you need 3 balusters per tread, multiply 3 with the number of treads. That’s the number you need for one side. For instance, 20 steps multiplied by 3 balusters equal 60.
Finally, you have to multiply this by 2 if both sides of your stairs need balusters. That gives you 120 balusters in total.
While it’s okay to DIY your stairs if you have the know-how to do so, it is still best to leave the matter to professionals. Stairs are an integral part of anyone’s home, and it must be built as correctly as possible. Many accidents in the house involved faulty stairs and improperly laid balusters. Do not be part of those statistics! Call iStairs for professional assistance. We will ensure your stairs are not just up to Code but beautiful as well!