How to Choose Polyurethane Balusters for a Porch or Deck

Balusters carry the look of a railing, so it pays to choose the profile and size before you order. Here is how to narrow it down.

1. Decide the look: square or round

Square-ended balusters (turned in the middle, square top and bottom) suit traditional and craftsman porches. Round balusters give a slimmer, more modern line. Spectis offers both, from slim 1 1/4 in. round profiles to heavy 7 in. square-ended designs.

2. Pick the height

Spectis balusters run from 10 to 42 inches. The baluster is only part of the assembled railing height: add the top rail and bottom rail heights. For example, a 25 in. baluster with 5 1/2 in. rails assembles to 36 in. before any clearance under the bottom rail. Always confirm the finished height your local code requires.

3. Match the rails

Each baluster page lists the Spectis rail it is designed to fit (for example RAL 2101 or RAL 2100). Buy the matching top and bottom rails so the mounting pins and widths line up.

4. Work out how many you need

Spacing is set by your local building code, which commonly limits openings so a 4 in. sphere cannot pass. As a starting point, one Spectis section built on the BAL2000 series uses 16 balusters for an 8 ft run, 20 for 10 ft and 24 for 12 ft. Your actual count depends on post spacing and baluster width, so lay it out before ordering. Some decorative balusters are not intended as guards; those product pages say so.

5. Choose the finish

Standard balusters are smooth and primed white, ready for paint. Fossil Stone, Concrete Finish and Stucco Stone textures give a cast-stone look at a fraction of the weight.

6. Plan the install

Bed each baluster with PL Premium adhesive (PLP100) and fasten as specified. Paint soon after installing. Balusters are made to order and typically ship in 2–3 weeks.

Browse polyurethane balusters · Shop matching rails · Call 800-986-1250 for help