How to Attach Balcony Balusters

Although a handrail is a good safety feature on a balcony, it's really only half complete without balusters. Balusters are a row of vertical rails that line the exterior of the handrail between the handrail and the top of the balcony. Perhaps the most important function of balusters is to prevent children from crawling through the wide, gaping space and falling over the balcony's edge. In many cases, balusters also prevent objects that fall onto the deck from rolling over the side of the balcony.

Measuring tape
Pencil
Paper
Balusters
1.5-inch wood screws (2 for every baluster)
Drill
Ladder
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the space from the top of the handrail to the bottom of the floor joist around the side of the balcony. If the cap of the handrail extends out beyond the edge of the balcony by an inch or two, do not include this part in your measurement. You only want to measure the side of the handrail that is flush with the side of the balcony, because this is the part you are drilling the balusters into.
- 2
  Measure the distance between posts where you'll be installing balusters. Calculate the number of balusters you need for each length between posts. There is an equation for this. In this equation, "x" equals the number of balusters, "y" equals the length of the space between balusters, "r" equals the width of each baluster and "d" equals the distance between posts. All distances in this equation should be provided in inches. So, rx + (x+1)y = d. Once you've decided what the distance between each baluster should be, the width of the balusters and the distance between posts, the only actual unknown in this equation is "x." If you're no longer comfortable with middle- or high-school algebra, there are online calculators that can help you with this.
- 3
  Purchase balusters long enough to span the distance you measured in Step 1. Wooden deck and balcony balusters are available in precut pieces.
- 4
  Mark each baluster with a pencil to show the space 1 1/2 inches from the top and 1 1/2 inches from the bottom. This is where you insert the screws.
- 5
  Stand outside the balcony on a ladder or scaffolding. Hold the first baluster in position so that the top is flush with the top of the railing and the bottom is flush with the bottom edge of the balcony.
- 6
  Drill a wood screw into each spot you marked on the baluster. You may need to drill a pilot hole into the baluster before inserting the screw.
- 7
  Screw the next baluster into position beside the first baluster. Insert a plastic spacer between balusters to ensure that the space between them is even. Continue to install balusters until you can no longer reach from your position on the ladder. Move the ladder and continue to install balusters. Do this until all balusters have been installed.

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