Horizontal bar railing, modern iron balusters, stainless cable and glass, and clean-lined wood handrail and newels — every part you need for a modern stair railing, in stock in our own warehouses.
House of Forgings designs you won’t find at big box stores
Order by 11am CST, ships same day from our own warehouses
$166.73–$534.04Price range: $166.73 through $534.04
Rated 5.00 out of 5
WO-6084
Build Your Modern Stair Railing Kit
A stair railing “kit” is really five kinds of parts. Here’s what goes into a typical modern railing, in the order you’ll pick them.
Newel posts
One at the bottom, one at the top, and one at every turn or landing. Horizontal bars can’t be joined between posts, so a span longer than your longest bar (about 7′ 11″ with 8 ft bars) needs another post. Modern newels · Iron newels
Enter the distance between each pair of newel posts, measured along the handrail. We count the bars from our spacing guide and work out how many to order.
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Bar counts follow our Horizontal Bar Spacing Guide (5/8″ bars, 36″ stair rail at a 40° rake, 42″ balcony rail) and keep openings under 4″. Each bar is cut 1″ longer than the span so it glues 1/2″ into each post. Bars can’t be joined between posts. A different rail height, stair angle or handrail can change the count, so send us your measurements and we’ll confirm. Check your local code before you install.
Most U.S. homes fall under the International Residential Code (IRC). Your city may add its own rules, so treat these as a starting point.
34–38″
Handrail height
Measured straight up from the nosing of the treads.
4″
Opening size
A 4-inch sphere shouldn’t pass through the railing. On the open side of the stair the IRC allows 4-3/8″.
36″
Guard height
Minimum guard height at landings and lofts under the IRC.
Handrail grip matters. Flat or oversized handrail profiles can fail graspability rules. The 6084 and our other modern profiles are designed to be gripped. When in doubt, call us before you order.
Modern Stair Railing Ideas
Real stairs built with House of Forgings parts.
How to Choose a Modern Stair Railing
By Douglas Lovin, 20+ years helping homeowners and builders with stair remodels
A modern stair railing comes down to three choices: the infill, the handrail and the newel posts. Get those three working together and the stair looks designed, not assembled.
Start with the infill
Horizontal bars are the most requested modern look right now. They make a stair feel longer and more open, and they pair well with square wood newels. If your city restricts horizontal infill, modern vertical balusters like Linéa, Foundation or Aalto give you the same clean feel and are accepted almost everywhere. If you want to keep a view open, stainless cable or glass is the way to go.
Pick a handrail you can actually hold
Modern doesn’t have to mean flat. A lot of the “modern” rails online are wide flat boards that don’t meet graspability code. The 6084 handrail gives you the clean, squared-off look with a profile your hand wraps around. For a slimmer line, look at the 6484 and 6284.
Keep the newels simple
Square newels with no turned detail are what make a railing read as modern. ForestKraft and square blank newels can be stained to match your treads or painted to match your trim. For an all-metal look, use square or round iron newels.
Mix wood and metal
The most popular modern stair we see is a wood handrail and wood newels with black iron infill. It’s warm, it’s clean, and it works with almost any floor.
Remodel or new build
On a remodel, you can usually keep a solid existing newel and handrail and swap only the balusters, which is the fastest way to modernize a stair on a budget. On new construction, plan your newel locations before drywall so blocking is in the right place.
Not sure what you need?
Send us a photo and rough measurements and we’ll put together a complete parts list for your stair at no charge.
Modern Stair Railing FAQs
How much does a modern stair railing cost?
For parts only, a typical straight staircase often lands around $1,000–$2,000 depending on the infill style, wood species and number of newel posts. Horizontal bars and modern iron balusters are on the lower end; cable and glass cost more. Send us your measurements for an exact parts list.
Are horizontal stair railings allowed by code?
The IRC doesn’t ban horizontal infill, and horizontal bar railings are installed in homes across the country. Some cities and HOAs restrict “climbable” railings, though, so check with your local building department before you order. Bar spacing is the key safety factor — see our Horizontal Bar Spacing Guide.
Can I install a modern stair railing myself?
Yes, if you’re comfortable with a miter saw and a drill. Vertical balusters are the easiest DIY job. Horizontal bars take more layout work because the posts are drilled for the bars. Glass is best left to a pro.
Can I mix wood newels and handrail with iron balusters?
Yes. Wood handrail and newels with black iron balusters or horizontal bars is the most popular modern combination we sell.
What is the best handrail for a modern stair?
The 6084 modern handrail is our most popular modern profile. It has a clean squared-off look and is shaped to be grasped, unlike many flat rails sold online.
How fast will my railing parts ship?
Orders placed by 11am CST on business days ship the same day from our own warehouses. Ground and freight transit usually takes 3–7 business days. Orders of $750 or more in parts ship free (long-length handrail fees still apply).
Get a Free Modern Railing Parts List
Send a photo and measurements. We’ll spec every part. Call (866) 727-9356, M–F 8am–3pm CST.
