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Solid vs. Hollow Iron Balusters
Solid and hollow iron balusters look almost the same once they’re installed. The real differences are weight, cost and how easy they are to work with. Hollow balusters weigh about half as much, cost less to ship, and are faster to cut and handle. Solid balusters are heavier, with sharper corners and a slightly textured surface. With our balusters, the quality is the same either way.
Solid vs. Hollow at a Glance
| Hollow | Solid | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (typical 1/2″ baluster) | About 1.5 lb | About 3 lb |
| Surface | Smooth | Slightly textured |
| Corners | Slightly rounded | Sharper, squarer |
| Cutting | Faster and easier | Slower, more material to cut |
| Shipping cost | Lower | Higher |
| Installed look | Almost identical | Almost identical |
| Installs with | Same holes, shoes and epoxy | Same holes, shoes and epoxy |
Hollow Iron Balusters
Hollow balusters are made from steel tube. They’re about half the weight of solid, so they cost less to ship, they’re easier to handle on the stairs, and they cut faster. The surface is smooth and the corners are slightly rounded, which gives them a clean, modern look.
Hollow has become the standard in production home building because it saves money on shipping and install time.
Solid Iron Balusters
Solid balusters are solid steel bar, so they’re heavier, about 3 lb each for a typical 1/2″ baluster. They have sharper, squarer corners and a slightly textured surface. They take longer to cut, and the extra weight adds to your shipping cost.
Which Should You Choose?
A lot of people pick solid because they assume it’s better quality. With cheap off-brand balusters, that’s often true. With ours, it isn’t. The quality is the same either way, and both are plenty strong for a home stair railing.
- Choose hollow if you want to save on shipping, you’re doing a big job, or you’re installing it yourself and want lighter parts that cut faster.
- Choose solid if you like the heavier feel, or you want sharper corners and a more hand-forged texture.
Either way, they install the same way. See how to install iron balusters and our baluster spacing guide.
Solid vs. Hollow FAQ
Are hollow iron balusters strong enough?
Yes. Our hollow balusters are plenty strong for residential stair railings, and they’re the standard in production home building. As with any baluster, keep the gaps under 4 inches and check your local code.
Do solid and hollow balusters look different?
Barely. Solid balusters have slightly sharper corners and a bit of texture, but once they’re installed and painted, most people can’t tell them apart.
How much does a solid iron baluster weigh?
About 3 lb for a typical 1/2″ solid baluster. A hollow one is about 1.5 lb.
Is solid better quality than hollow?
Not with our balusters. Solid is often better with cheap off-brand balusters, but ours are the same quality either way. The difference is weight, cost and how easy they are to work with.
Can I use the same shoes and epoxy on hollow and solid balusters?
Yes. Both install the same way, with the same holes, shoes and epoxy.