FAQ

Simply email shawn@stairwarehouse.com 3 pieces of information.

1. The picture of the railing you like from our photo gallery
2. A picture of your existing railing
3. The lengths of each of your existing handrails. For example, if you have 7 steps walking up to the landing and 7 more steps up to the top of the second floor, you will have 2 – 7 foot pieces of existing handrail

Quick quotes are provided upon request but most quotes are emailed back within 48 hours.

Most of our products are in stock and ready for immediate shipment of approximately 2-3 days. You can check the product to see if it is a stock item or not. Transit time to you depends on your location. Transit time is anywhere from 1-4 days. Out of stock items usually ship in 10 business days. Transit time is the same.

In an effort to keep your prices low, we ship from Texas and Ohio. Once your product ships, we will email you the tracking information for that individual shipment

Click on the green link labeled (When will it ship) above the (Red Add to Cart Box) You will see a general list of stock items.

All our iron balusters and horizontal Round bars are finished with a strong powder coated finish in all the Designer colors. All of the stainless steel comes with a beautiful brushed finish. All of the wood products, unless primed comes un-finished. In our opinion, it is best to install the wood stair parts in an unfinished form as you will most likely need to trim the products to fit.

With COVID 19, our freight companies charge an additional fee for products over 7 feet in length. This is the only shipping fee we pass along to our customers. We don’t show this fee at check out because we want to manually run it through the system to give you the very best rate. We will email you immediately after your order is placed with the extra fee and you can cancel your order immediately for a Full Refund.

30 Day Return Policy for Stock Items Only with a valid Return authorization. 10% Re-Stock Fee.

Yes, if the product is available for pick-up. Simply call us to set up a pick-up time that works for you and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Replacing iron balusters is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform the look of your staircase. Most homeowners with basic DIY skills can complete the project using common tools and a quality installation system like the Zip Clip® Shoe System.

Traditional iron baluster installations often require drilling precise holes, using epoxy, and spending extra time aligning each baluster. The Zip Clip® Shoe System simplifies the process by allowing the balusters to be securely installed using decorative shoes and mechanical fasteners — helping eliminate the mess and guesswork associated with epoxy installations.

Most installations only require:

• A drill
• Measuring tape
• Saw or metal cutting tool
• Screwdriver or hex key
• Zip Clip® Shoe System components

The process typically involves removing the old wood balusters, cutting the new iron balusters to size, attaching the Zip Clip® shoes, and securing the balusters into place. The system creates a clean, professional appearance while making installation faster and more forgiving for DIY projects.

For many homeowners, a standard staircase can be completed in a weekend. With the right tools and installation system, replacing iron balusters is a manageable project that can dramatically upgrade the appearance and value of your home

Choosing the right wood species for your stair treads is important for both durability and appearance. Since stair treads receive constant foot traffic, selecting a hardwood that offers strength, stability, and long-term performance is highly recommended.

Some of the most popular wood species for stair treads include:

• Red Oak – One of the most common choices due to its durability, affordability, and consistent grain pattern. Red Oak stains well and works with both traditional and modern homes.
• White Oak – Harder and more moisture resistant than Red Oak, White Oak offers a cleaner grain pattern and a more upscale appearance.
• Hard Maple – Known for its exceptional hardness and smooth appearance, Maple is ideal for contemporary stair designs and lighter stain colors.
• Hickory – Extremely strong and durable with dramatic color variation and rustic character. Great for high-traffic homes and farmhouse-style interiors.
• Walnut – A premium hardwood featuring rich, dark tones and elegant grain patterns. Walnut creates a luxurious custom look.
• Brazilian Cherry – A very dense exotic hardwood with deep reddish coloring and outstanding durability.

The best wood species ultimately depends on your design style, budget, traffic level, and desired stain color. Oak remains the most popular overall choice because it balances durability, appearance, and value, while White Oak and Maple are increasingly popular for modern homes.

When properly finished and maintained, quality hardwood stair treads can last for decades while adding warmth, beauty, and value to your staircase.

Choosing the correct newel post size depends on the style of your staircase, the scale of your home, and the overall look you want to achieve. Newel posts serve as the main structural and decorative anchors of a stair railing system, so selecting the right size is important for both appearance and stability.

The most common newel post sizes include:

• 3” Newel Posts – Typically used for smaller staircases, secondary stairways, or more traditional designs with lighter visual proportions.
• 3 1/2” Newel Posts – A versatile size that works well in many residential stair systems and pairs nicely with standard handrails and balusters.
• 4” Newel Posts – One of the most popular sizes for modern homes. Offers a larger, more substantial appearance while maintaining balanced proportions.
• 5” and 6” Box Newels – Commonly used in contemporary, craftsman, farmhouse, and luxury stair designs. These larger posts create a bold architectural statement and are especially popular in open foyer staircases.

When selecting a newel post size, consider:

• Staircase width and scale
• Ceiling height and openness of the space
• Baluster and handrail size
• Traditional vs. modern design style
• Desired visual impact

Larger staircases and open floor plans often look best with larger box newels, while smaller stairways may benefit from more proportionate traditional sizes.

If you are unsure which size is best, many homeowners choose 4” or 5” newel posts because they provide a timeless look that works with a wide variety of stair styles.

Choosing between modern and traditional balusters depends on the overall style of your home and the look you want your staircase to create. Both options can dramatically enhance the appearance of your stair system while adding character and value to your home.

Modern Balusters

Modern balusters typically feature clean lines, simple profiles, and minimalist designs. Popular options include:

• Straight square iron balusters
• Horizontal metal railing systems
• Matte black finishes
• Geometric patterns
• Cable railing styles

Modern stair designs focus on openness and simplicity, making them ideal for contemporary, transitional, industrial, and modern farmhouse homes. These styles often create a cleaner, more spacious appearance and pair well with White Oak, Maple, and larger box newel posts.

Traditional Balusters

Traditional balusters feature more decorative details and classic styling. Common designs include:

• Twisted iron balusters
• Scrolls and baskets
• Hammered textures
• Ornamental accents
• Curved or detailed wood balusters

Traditional stair systems work beautifully in classic, Mediterranean, Tuscan, and formal home designs. These balusters create a timeless and elegant appearance that adds warmth and architectural detail to the staircase.

Which Style Is Best?

Neither style is better — it simply depends on the design direction of your home. Many homeowners today choose a transitional look by blending modern and traditional elements together, such as pairing simple iron balusters with classic wood handrails and box newels.

If you prefer a clean, updated appearance, modern balusters are usually the best fit. If you want a more decorative and timeless staircase, traditional balusters remain a popular choice.

No matter which style you choose, updating your balusters is one of the most effective ways to transform the look of your staircase without a full remodel.

Yes, in most cases, you can replace your stair railing without replacing the actual stairs. Many homeowners update their stair railings to modernize the appearance of their home while keeping the existing stair treads and structure in place.

A stair railing remodel typically involves replacing components such as:

• Handrails
• Iron or wood balusters
• Newel posts
• Shoerail
• Wall railings

This type of upgrade is often far more affordable and less invasive than a complete staircase replacement. As long as the stair structure is solid and meets local building requirements, the railing system can usually be updated independently.

One of the most popular remodeling projects is replacing old wood balusters with iron balusters while keeping the existing stair treads and handrails. Many homeowners also upgrade to larger box newel posts or modern handrail profiles to create a completely updated look.

In some cases, stair treads can also be refinished or replaced separately without rebuilding the staircase itself.

A railing-only remodel is a great option for homeowners who want:

• A more modern appearance
• Increased home value
• Improved curb appeal inside the home
• A faster and more budget-friendly renovation

With today’s installation systems and wide variety of stair parts available, it is often possible to dramatically transform the look of a staircase without replacing the stairs themselves.