"Pine Spindles" Frequently Asked Questions
Pine spindles are vertical posts that connect the base rail and handrail on a staircase. They form part of the balustrade; the collective name for the base rail, handrail, newel post and spindles.
Because spindles are often the most decorative part of a staircase, it's important to ask yourself these questions before selecting the right spindle for you:
1. Is your staircase closed string or cut string?
2. Does your staircase diminish?
3. What is the overall style of the property?
4. Who lives in the property?
To find out more about how to choose the right spindle, take a look at our informative guide to spindles.
There are many different types of materials available for spindles, these include:
• Ash
• Chrome
• Dark Hardwood
• Hemlock
• Metal
• Nickel
• Oak
• Oak & Black Metal
• Oak & Chrome
• Oak & Nickel
• Pine
• Pine & Nickel
• Pine & Chrome
• Walnut
• White Primed
• White Primed & Chrome
• White Primed & Nickel
Your spindles need to be secured between a base rail and a handrail, so once you’ve decided which type of spindle you want, you can select the right handrail and base rail to suit.
Wood spindles sit in a grooved track in both the handrail and base rail. Bear in mind that the size of the spindle will determine the size of this groove.
Here is a list of the different types of spindle styles available:
• Square spindles
• Chamfered spindles
• Twist spindles
• Barley Twist
• Colonial
• Fluted
• Plain Square
• Plain Turned
• Provincial
• Stop Chamfered
• Square Twist
Depending on the condition of the existing spindles, there are different degrees of renovation that you may need to carry out. Before you make any decisions, ask yourself the following questions:
• Do all of the spindles need to be completely renovated?
• Can you replace individual damaged spindles?
• Can you restore the loose spindles rather than replace them?