How to Build a Basement Stair Baluster

Measuring and Preparation

• A stairway's balustrade is made up of individual balusters, each of which connects the handrail to the floor or a low, horizontal railing. The spacing of the balusters determines how many are in the balustrade. For example, if your basement stairway features a railing that is 15 feet long, you'll need 29 balusters if they are spaced 6 inches apart. The first and 30th balusters are unnecessary because larger posts take their places and support the railing. Basement stairs often run along a wall, meaning you need to produce balusters for only one side of the stairway; the other handrail can be attached directly to the wall.

Lathe Turning

• The easiest way to build your own basement stair balusters is out of wood using a lathe. Use the lathe's guide to make each baluster conform to a pattern that you draw beforehand. Cut away material from each square baluster blank, which can be scrap pieces of lumber, using lathe tools that have the appropriate curves and blades to create the pattern you want for each baluster. Basement stair balusters may use identical balusters or alternate between two or more styles of baluster.

Finishing

• Basement stair balusters can be finished with stain or paint to match the decor of the space. Basement stairs that serve a primarily utilitarian purpose should still be finished to preserve the wood, especially if your basements tends to get damp or experiences temperature fluctuations. A layer of primer followed by several coats of latex paint should seal off a baluster and allow the wood to weather heavy use and basement conditions for many years.

Installation

• Once your balusters are finished, you can install them along with the handrail. Wooden balusters that attach between wooden rails can be affixed with screws or nails. In some cases you may need to mount balusters directly to a basement's cement floor or cement stairs. For this type of installation, use concrete anchor brackets, which are metal brackets that screw into the concrete base and support a vertical baluster. Leave your balusters with square bases to ensure a flat surface for attaching the brackets.