Installation Guide

36
Starting Fitting Balusters
When using 1
1
/4 " balusters and for 34" and 35" rake
heights, use 42" balusters under volutes and turnouts. When
using 1
3
/4 " balusters and for 34" and 35" rake heights, use
the 44" balusters under climbing volutes, regular volutes
and turnouts.
3-Length System (see Fig. 17-2):
The 3-length system aligns the bottom baluster squares with
the rake of the rail. All balusters must be trimmed to
length from the bottom.
For 34" to 38" rake heights and two balusters per tread:
For 34" to 35" rake heights, use a 34" first baluster and a
38" second baluster. For 35" to 38" rake heights, use a 38"
first baluster and a 42" second baluster.
For 34" to 38" rake heights and three balusters per tread:
For 34" to 35" rake heights, use a 34" first baluster, a 38"
second baluster and a 42" third baluster. For 35" rake
heights, use a 38" first baluster, and 42" second and third
balusters. When installing
three balusters on a tread and
using the 3-Length System, at least two of the bottom
baluster squares will need to be trimmed for proper
alignment. Warning: At a 35" to 38" rake height, the 42"
baluster may not be long enough to use under
gooseneck fittings.
Balcony Baluster
Use 38" balusters to achieve 36" balcony rail heights and
42" balusters for 42" balcony rail heights.
Starting Fitting Baluster
For 34" to 36" rake heights, use 42" balusters under the
volute and 42" balusters under turnouts. Climbing volutes
requirements are 38" and 42" balusters for 34" rake heights;
and 42" balusters for 36" rake heights.
S TEP
B.10
SECTION B
S TAIRN OTE
T EN
A LL A BOUT
B ALUSTERS
3
5
STEP B.10 – Install the Balusters
In Step B.1a, you marked the centerpoints of all the
balusters on the baluster line. Now with newel(s) and
handrail dry fitted, it is time to dry fit the balusters. See
StairNote Ten: All About Balusters for a better
understanding of baluster features.
For dowel bottom balusters, begin by drilling
3
/4" diameter
holes
7
/8" deep in the treads at the baluster centerpoints.
Flat bottom balusters are designed for use with shoe rail.
WARNING: Avoid drilling through the tread when using
dowel bottom balusters, since this compromises the
strength of the glue joint at final installation.
Crown System (see Fig. 17-1):
The System is available in standard lengths. For the 1
3
/4 "
balusters, those lengths are 35", 37
1
/2", 39" and 44". For the
1
1
/4" balusters, those lengths are 31", 35", 37
1
/2", 39" and
42". In most areas, the building codes require a 34" rake
height and a 36" balcony or guardrail height.
Please note that
these balusters are designed to be cut at the top when installed.
For 34" or 35" rake heights: Using two balusters on the
tr
ead, choose the 35" baluster as the first baluster and the
39" baluster as the second baluster. When using three
balusters on a tread, choose the 35", 37
1
/2" and 44" balusters
(or use t
he 42" baluster if you are using 1
1
/4 " balus
ters). The
top of these balusters will need to be trimmed up to 1
1
/2" to
lower the rake rail to approximately 34" and/or to fit under
the rail.
Balcony Balusters
Choose the 35", 37
1
/2" or 39" balusters depending upon the
height you would like to achieve on the balcony. Remember
that a 35" baluster will achieve a balcony height of 36" and
is code compliant in most areas.
SECTION B
S TEP
B.10
The primary role of
balusters is safety:
they keep people
and objects from
going through the
balustrade.
Secondarily, balusters
support the handrail
and add beauty to
the stairway.
SQUARE TOP OR PIN TOP?
There are two types of balusters available in the Crown Heritage
System: “square top” and “pin top” (see Fig. S-10). The
Williamsburg, 1800’s, Carolina, Colonial, and Hampton Collections
all offer square top designs, which are meant to be used with
“plowed” handrail. (Classic balusters are square too, but they are
designed for face mounting on their rails. Refer to
StairNote Twelve:
The Classic Collection: Breaking All The Rules
for instructions about
the special uses of this design.)
The “pin top” balusters, designed to be inserted like dowels into the
handrail, are available in all collections except the Classic.
BUY THE RIGHT LENGTH
Finally, balusters come in a wide array of lengths, ranging between
31" and 42". This is to accommodate differing handrail heights as
well as the special triangular geometry of open stairways.
Square To p
Actual dimensions vary depending on overall length.
Pin To p
7"
3
/4"
7
5
/8"
4
5
/8"
20"
28"
FIG. S-10 - Typical balusters “square top” and “pin top”
FIG. 17-1 - Crown System alignment
{
{
{
FIG. 17-2 - 3-length system alignment
Rake Angle
Rake