Balusters

A flat-sawn baluster has a broad, flat face with a shaped outline. When several stand side by side, the spaces between them become part of the design. A curved edge may create a repeating opening that is easier to appreciate across a full railing than in a single piece.

Compare the designs at the scale of your porch. Wider faces create a more substantial band of wood; a more open arrangement allows more of the view through. Consider how the pattern looks from the yard as well as from a seat on the porch.

Plan each railing section
Measure each span between posts and consider the baluster width, height, and spacing together. A pattern that works across one bay may need a different count in a narrower section. Plan the layout at both ends, including how the balusters will meet the upper and lower rails.

Our flat-sawn wood porch balusters are sold in custom lengths. For replacements, photographs and measurements of a surviving piece help you compare the available profiles. Confirm the length and quantity for each railing section with your installer before finalizing your selection.

Baluster handrails and bases are also sold in custom lengths. Plan these pieces alongside the balusters so you can specify the lengths needed for each section of the railing.

Connect the railing to the porch
Victorian brackets and corbels can repeat a curve from the balusters at the posts or eaves. Decorative spandrels carry detail across the upper openings. Choose which part should have the strongest pattern so the porch remains easy to take in as a whole.

If a door is part of the project, our Victorian style collection can help you relate its details to the railing. A shared curve or simple panel division can be enough to connect them.

Choose a baluster design above and gather the measurements for each section of railing. Our craftspeople can help you consider how the chosen profile will repeat across those spans. Browse our millwork collection for the other pieces that complete the porch.