Hello Brownstoners, I need your help!

The appraisal on my place came in and we can’t move forward until we replace 2 missing balusters (stair spindles). The problem is, I just had surgery so I’m housebound, and no place online will sell 26′ balusters (they don’t make that size anymore, apparently).

Any ideas for how I could find 2 26′ balusters without leaving the house? I don’t care if they match the rest of the staircase, it’s just for the stupid bank.

Thanks for your help!!


Comments

  1. Try Vintage Woodworks online; I ordered a bunch of balusters from them.

    FYI, they are made longer on purpose so that they can be cut to fit at the top and bottom.

  2. Once you have the parts you can do the installation work yourself? Not saying it’s difficult but if you’re recuperating… if you can’t, then hire a carpenter to go to Lowe’s or HD for you, buy the spindles and make them fit. Either adding to or subtracting from them can be done by anyone who knows what they’re doing. Try Peter (search on “very capable carpenter”) who advertises on Craig’s List. He did some work at my house and was very talented with wood, and reasonably priced. At least this way the bank can’t reject the loan because it’s “not a real spindle” or some nonsense like that.

  3. That would work, cmu. They don’t have to match. They just have to be structural.

    On the other hand get surfing on the web for ballusters, stair parts, etc. I remember seeing lots of them out there and they’ll ship them right to you.

  4. Is this for real? “For want of a baluster the mortgage was lost?” Boy banks are getting uppity nowadays.

    Nail up a couple of 2×2″s, five minutes tops.