What Kind of Glue Do You Use on Iron Balusters?

Use a two-part epoxy to glue iron balusters, not wood glue or construction adhesive. We use and sell EPC-410 epoxy tubes ($24.20). One tube sets up to 20 balusters with a dime-sized drop in the top hole and the bottom hole, and it runs through the EPC-101 epoxy gun ($71.83). For iron newel posts, use one can of EPC-7 epoxy per newel.

By Douglas Lovin, owner of Cheap Stair Parts, 20+ years in stair parts · Updated 10/21/26

Why Epoxy for Iron Balusters

• It bonds metal to wood. Wood glue is made for wood on wood and won’t hold a steel bar.
• It fills the gap. Baluster holes are drilled bigger than the bar so it can turn. Epoxy fills that space and locks the baluster solid.
• No rattles. A baluster set in epoxy won’t spin or rattle years later.
• Non-drip. EPC-410 is non-drip, so it stays in the handrail hole instead of running down the baluster.

Which Glue for Which Part

Part	Use	Price
Iron balusters	EPC-410 epoxy tube + EPC-101 gun	$24.20 per tube, $71.83 gun
Iron newel posts	EPC-7 epoxy can, one per newel	$42.68
Wood balusters and wood parts	Titebond Original wood glue	From $8.64
Treads, risers and subfloor	Titebond construction adhesive	$10

How Much Epoxy Do I Need?

One EPC-410 tube sets up to 20 balusters. A typical staircase with 39 balusters (3 per tread on 13 steps) needs 2 tubes. Add one tube for every 20 balusters on a balcony or landing. You only need one EPC-101 gun for the whole job.

EPC-410 comes in two colors: Clear and Black. They hold the same. The only difference is looks: black is less visible than clear if any shows around the hole.

How to Glue Iron Balusters

1. Drill and clean out every hole. Dust keeps epoxy from bonding. See what size hole for balusters.
2. Load the EPC-410 tube into the EPC-101 gun.
3. Put a dime-sized drop of epoxy in the handrail hole and in the tread hole.
4. Slide the base shoe onto the baluster first. It has to go on before the baluster goes in.
5. Push the baluster up into the handrail hole, then drop it down into the tread hole.
6. Turn the baluster so it lines up with the others, then check it’s plumb.
7. Slide the shoe down to the tread and let the epoxy cure before anyone uses the stairs. Follow the cure time on the tube.

For the full step-by-step, see how to install iron balusters.

How to Secure Wood Balusters

Wood balusters don’t use epoxy. They’re held with wood glue and hardware:

• Bottom: a dowel screw ($0.43) goes into the bottom of the baluster, then the baluster twists down into a 1/4″ hole drilled in the tread. Balusters with a dowel on the bottom, like our 5015, are glued into a 3/4″ hole instead. A dowel screw driver ($18.69) makes it quick.
• Top: a round pin goes into a drilled hole in the handrail with wood glue. Square-top balusters sit in a plowed handrail between fillet strips, glued and pinned with small finish nails.

Gluing Down Stair Treads

Construction adhesive is the right glue for wood treads and risers, not epoxy. Installers use about one tube of Titebond construction adhesive per tread:

1. Run the adhesive across the step in S-shaped beads. Don’t use circles. Circles trap air pockets when you press the tread down.
2. Set the tread in place and press it down hard so the adhesive spreads out evenly.

See what treads and installation cost in labor cost to replace stair treads and risers.

What About Construction Adhesive or Super Glue on Balusters?

Construction adhesive and polyurethane glue will hold in a pinch, but they don’t bond metal as well as epoxy and can let a baluster work loose over time. Super glue is too brittle for a part people lean on. If you’re fixing a loose baluster, see how to fix loose metal balusters.