20% OFF COUPON CODE = SAVE2026
How Much Does It Cost to Change Wood Balusters to Iron?
Replacing wood balusters with iron costs about $200 to $400 in parts for a typical staircase with simple iron balusters, or $550 to $1,000 for decorative styles. Having a pro do it adds about $1,500 in labor. You keep your handrail and newel posts, so this is the cheapest way to make a dated staircase look new.
Parts Cost by Baluster Style
Real prices from our store as of October 2026, for a typical straight staircase: 13 steps with 3 balusters per tread, so 39 balusters, plus base shoes and epoxy.
| Style | Per baluster | 39 balusters + shoes + epoxy |
|---|---|---|
| Simple: twist, knuckle, plain bar (Twist & Basket) | About $2 to $5 | About $200 to $400 |
| Decorative: Tuscan Hammered, Heights, Linéa | About $11 to $18 | About $550 to $1,000 |
| Premium: Wentworth, SoHo, scroll styles | About $40 to $70+ | About $1,700 to $3,000+ |
- Base shoes: about $2 to $5 each, one per baluster. See base shoes.
- Epoxy: 2 EPC-410 tubes at $24.20 each, plus the $71.83 EPC-101 gun if you don’t have one.
- Mixing styles saves money: many people use a decorative baluster every third spot and plain bars in between.
Labor Cost
Installers in the Houston area charge about $100 per foot of staircase, and the price is about the same for a baluster swap as for a whole new railing. An average staircase is 14 to 15 feet, so plan on about $1,500 in labor. See stair railing labor cost for more.
Total Cost
| Approach | Simple balusters | Decorative balusters |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | $200 to $400 | $550 to $1,000 |
| Hire an installer | About $1,700 to $1,900 | About $2,050 to $2,500 |
Can You Replace Spindles Without Removing the Handrail?
Yes. That’s how it’s usually done. You cut out the old wood spindles, drill new holes in the treads and the underside of the handrail, and set the iron balusters in epoxy. The handrail and newel posts stay put. The steps:
- Cut each wood spindle in the middle and twist the pieces out of the rail and tread.
- Drill new holes for the iron balusters. See what size hole for balusters.
- Cut each iron baluster to length. See how to measure baluster height.
- Slide on the shoe, set the baluster in epoxy, and line it up. See how to install iron balusters.
Is It Worth It?
For most homes, yes. Swapping wood spindles for iron is one of the biggest visual changes you can make to a staircase for the money, and iron balusters don’t need painting or refinishing. If your handrail or newels are also worn out, see the cost to replace the whole banister.
Wood to Iron Baluster Cost FAQ
How much does it cost to replace wood balusters with iron?
About $200 to $400 in parts for simple iron balusters on a typical staircase, or $550 to $1,000 for decorative styles. Add about $1,500 if you hire an installer.
How much does it cost to replace stair spindles?
For a typical 13-step staircase with 39 spindles, about $200 to $1,000 in parts depending on style, plus about $1,500 for labor if you don’t do it yourself.
Can you replace spindles without removing the handrail?
Yes. Cut out the old spindles, drill new holes and set the iron balusters in epoxy. The handrail and newel posts stay in place.
How much is labor to replace balusters?
About $100 per foot of staircase in the Houston area, or about $1,500 for an average staircase.
Are iron balusters cheaper than wood?
Simple iron balusters often cost less than wood ones, starting under $2 each. Decorative iron styles cost more.
Is replacing stair balusters a DIY project?
Yes, for most handy homeowners. You cut out the old spindles, drill new holes and set iron balusters in epoxy, without removing the handrail.
