There is a quick and simple way to give your new stair installation a polished and complete look. Installing a handrail system and balusters in your home can be a difficult and time consuming task, but there is a simple way to finish off the job to give you the best possible overall appearance. If you installed a handrail system in your home you can use wood fillet to transition square top balusters into your handrail. Fillet is a thin piece of wood that can be placed in between each baluster to conceal the top of the baluster that feeds into the underside of a plowed handrail.
A plow in a handrail means that there is a channel cut out of the underside of the handrail, this plow allows a place for the balusters to be installed. Once the balusters are installed you can use fillet to fill in the exposed channel in between each baluster. By using fillet you can create a smooth and level transition from baluster to handrail.
Fillet can also be used in the same way to fill the spaces between balusters feeding into a plowed shoe rail. A shoe rail is constructed on top of the knee wall and is meant to hold the bottom of the balusters in place. Using wood fillet is a great technique for creating an elegant stairwell that has been used by professional stair builders and do-it-yourselfers alike. Using fillet requires little skill and can be done by anyone with moderate construction skills. Depending on the profile, Stair-Treads.com offers plowed handrails, balusters, and fillet are available in 1 1/4", 1 5/8", and 1 3/4" sizes. It is important to remember to make sure all three products are ordered in the same size in order for the installation to work properly.
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