Forged Iron Balusters
Wrought Iron balusters have lately been growing in popularity architects and designers around the globe.  Although we are just now observing the migration of iron balusters inside, Italy was well known for its allocation of wrought iron inside their dwellings throughout the 16th century.  At this time we are witnessing a new interest for the courtly and dignified effect brought with iron balusters.  These pieces can be shaped in a variety designs, textures, and finishes, and can also be installed in alternating patterns to attain a design unique to your home.
Fresh designs for wrought iron balusters surface frequently.  Some of the general designs include scrolls (or swirls), baskets, waves/bows, twists, spoons, knuckles (nodes) and belly balusters.
Scroll balusters contain a wide symmetrical swirl form: one positioned in the center or two evenly arranged on the wrought iron.  These can bring a remarkably refined appearance and a wide selection of scrolls are available.
Balusters with baskets are farily striking as well; featuring what resembles a spherical bird cage that has been wound into a spiral.  Iron balusters with baskets will usually exhibit one or two of these baskets per baluster. 
Next we have the “wave” or  bowed iron baluster which are aptly named: a baluster shaped in a zigzag pattern.
The twisted baluster has the appearance of a straight iron bar in which one or two sections or the entire piece has been twisted into a tight spiral.  Twists can be utilized by themselves on a piece or accompanying other patterns (e.g. basket and a twist or scroll with a twist).
Another pattern is the spoon with knuckles or nodes.  These consist of an elongated taper akin to a spoon located on both sides of a knuckle or node. 
Finally are the belly balusters.  Without another way of portraying, these simply remind one of the profile of a pregnant woman or of an overweight man.  “The bulge” juts away from the railing so belly balusters are used on balconies only.  These balusters are also manufactured with many accents including the basket, scroll, and twist patterns.
Wrought iron balusters are available in a large range of finishes.  The most universal is flat or glossy black.  Other finishes have also been introduced to suggest age.  Rubbed copper, rubbed brass or silver are quite ordinary.  These finishes have a base coat – copper, brass, etc – with a glaze  spread over the base and then partly rubbed off.  The glaze gets ”suspended” in the cracks and crevices of the baluster for the aged look.
Textures can be classified as part of the finish but I wanted to keep them separate because the textures I describe are set in in the iron baluster prior to the application of the finish.  Of course, wrought iron balusters can be obtained thatare smooth without a txture. The hammered texture, on the other hand, has the look of a baluster fresh out of the local blacksmith’s workshop.  If you are after a rustic look for your stairway, the hammered texture may be the way to go.  Some manufacturers have created a pebbled texture often referred to as “veining” or a veined texture.  Iron balusters with the pebbled texture look like a eroded and pitted piece of iron that has been refurbished.
One of the more interesting options available to iron balusters is the application of alternating patterns.  Restricted only by the imagination, anyone can make their own personalized sequence of alternating balusters.  The sequence is repeated every tread (typically three balusters per tread).  Examples of such a run would be a single twist, double twist, single twist or a single basket, double twist, single basket.
Many architects incorporate iron balusters with wooden stair parts.  Wrought Iron balusters make a very nice match with wooden newels, handrails, and treads.
As wrought iron balusters make their way back into modern architecture, it is important to be well-informed about all the alternatives available when employing them on your stairway.  The differences in designs, textures, and finishes as well as alternating patterns and wooden complements offer a wide array of selections to give a truly distinctive stairway for the homeowner.  It is my hope this article will bring clarity to the possibilities offered to you.

Iron Balusters and the Options Available in Stairway Design

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TAMKO Tam-Rail Stair Rail System - Glenbrook U

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