Your staircase is often a bold style statement in your home, and much of this is down to the stair spindles that run alongside your treads and risers.
So, whether you're looking to refresh your current flight or install a brand-new staircase, knowing the different spindle styles can help you achieve the design of your dreams.
So, what styles and material types are available, and which will suit your aesthetic? Here's everything you need to know about choosing the right spindles for your home.
What are spindles on stairs?
Staircase spindles, also known as balusters, are a set of vertical posts within your balustrade structure that stand between the base rail and the handrail.
Spindles are integral structural parts of your stairway design, helping to hold your bannister securely in place along with your newel posts. These elements also enhance safety by forming a barrier at the edges of your stairs or landing areas, preventing falls.
What's more, they tend to be the most decorative parts of your staircase aesthetic, contributing to the overall style of your hallway and landing areas.
What types of materials are available?
Spindles are available in a range of shapes, colours, and finishes, so you're sure to find one that fits your décor.
Wooden spindles
Traditional, timeless, and reliable – wooden spindles are a classic design frequently found in many homes, whether they're modern or traditional.
Oak and pine are two of the most popular and common wood materials used. Oak spindles are strong and visually striking due to their unique tiger grain. Typically, oak is found in older, more traditional buildings, but it’s also suitable for modern builds looking for a durable spindle.
Pine is more affordable than oak and is ideal for staining or painting if you wish to move away from natural wood colours and patterns.
Primed wood spindles are timber pieces that are coated in a base layer of paint, ready for finishing. You can colour this type of stair spindle to create a specific look - for example, black is bold and helps to draw attention immediately, whereas clean white offers a fresh and neutral appearance.
Metal spindles
Spindles made from metal are increasingly popular due to their high durability and more intricate look, with little maintenance required. Additionally, they contrast wonderfully with wooden handrails, making them highly contemporary.
Typically, metal spindles are made from robust wrought iron, which not only makes them extremely strong but also helps to lend a bold or industrial feel to homes looking for that aesthetic.
Metal spindles are available in many premium designs, including round, square bar, and marquis styles.
Glass panels
Although not technically a spindle, many who desire a sleek and ultra-modern staircase design opt for glass panels alongside their stairs and landing areas.
Unlike other less versatile materials, the transparency of glass allows plenty of natural light to pass through - brightening your space, making it feel more open and connected, and reducing the need for additional artificial lights.
How to choose the right spindles for your stairs
To help you decide which spindle design is best suited to the overall look of your home, consider the following before making your choice:
Your home style
Modern or contemporary properties
The perfect contemporary spindles for up-to-date decors and new builds, square spindles are a minimalist feature for those working on a budget. Their straight edges offer a clean look to any home, especially when painted white.
If you would prefer a more unique look that's decorative and modern, then a twist spindle design may be the ideal choice. Typically made from oak or primed timber, twist spindles draw the eye and give your staircase a traditional yet fresh feel. There are different styles of twist spindles to choose from, including a single twist design with a simple twist in the middle or a conventional barley twist.
Classic/traditional properties
Ornamental and versatile, chamfered spindles are a popular choice for classic home decor. This style has square ends with a narrow middle and is typically wooden, elevating the standard square spindle. The chamfered design is both contemporary and suitable for conservative decor, too.
Who uses the staircase?
Typically, younger individuals tend to prefer a more modern or bolder look, which they can achieve with sleek glass panels or metal spindles. On the other hand, older homeowners might opt for more traditional styles, like chamfered wooden spindles.
We wouldn't recommend glass panels in homes with young children, as they can be high maintenance to keep clean from accidental finger marks. Instead, why not go for a solid and robust oak style, which is much easier to keep clean?
How many spindles are needed on a staircase?
The number of spindles needed depends on the handrail length and building regulations, which generally require that a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through any gap in the balustrade.
A common rule of thumb is to install two spindles per tread, which usually keeps spacing within regulations. To calculate the required spindle quantity, divide the handrail length by the combined width of each spindle plus its gap.
This can be applied to both cut-string staircases and closed-string staircases.
Upgrade your stairs at Stair Crazy
From expertly crafted spindles to handrails, newel posts, stair treads, and risers, Stair Crazy is your one-stop shop for premium-made staircase components.
To get in touch with our helpful experts regarding our stair parts or any query you may have, fill out our online contact form or call us on 01942 365 509 and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
