How to Replace Wood Banisters With Metal

Measure the dimensions of your wooden banister with a tape measure so you know the size each metal replacement part needs to be and how far down the railing you need each baluster hole. The metal banister can then be cut to size professionally at a hardware store or you can do it yourself with a metal chop saw and an abrasive blade if you're experienced.

Cut through the balusters in the wooden banister with a saw and pull them out one at a time. Remove the railing as you pull the balusters out. The bottom of the balusters may need twisting to get them out of the holes in the stair. Verify that all of the wood, screws and glue are out of the drilled holes before continuing, so that your metal balusters fit smoothly into them.

Test a metal baluster in one of the predrilled holes where the wooden balusters were removed. The metal may be a bit thicker, requiring a slight widening of the hole with a drill.

Slide the metal baluster through a baluster shoe and tape the shoe higher up on the baluster with masking tape so it doesn't interfere with installation. Apply epoxy to the bottom of the baluster and slide it into the hole in the stair. Wipe away any excess with a rag and hold the baluster in place for five minutes to give the glue a chance to dry. Continue until each baluster is fit into the stairway.

Fit the banister railing over the balusters to verify the holes in the railing are properly aligned. Once this is confirmed, apply epoxy to the top of each baluster and set the railing down on top of them, wiping away excess epoxy away with a rag. You may need an assistant to help you line the railing up properly, depending on how long the banister is.

Untape the shoes from the baluster once the railing dries and epoxy them to the base of the baluster. The shoe covers the gap in the stair where the baluster fits and is only used for aesthetic purposes.