In most Stourbridge homes, a tired staircase is really just a tired balustrade. You can usually replace the handrail, spindles and even the newel posts and keep your existing treads, strings and risers. This guide explains what can be changed, which rules apply, roughly what it costs and when a whole new staircase is actually the better option.
The balustrade is the handrail, the spindles (also called balusters), the newel posts and the baserail that sits on the string. On most staircases around Stourbridge, from Victorian terraces in Wollaston to 1930s semis in Pedmore and Norton, these parts are fixed onto the staircase rather than built into it. That means they can come off and be replaced while the stair itself stays put.
The stair is often the part in better condition. Treads and strings tend to be solid, while the balustrade is the bit that looks dated, has had spindles knocked out over the years or has worked loose at the newel. For a single flight with a small landing, replacing just the balustrade usually takes one to three days, and you can normally still use the stairs at the end of each day.
Most jobs fall into one of these levels, depending on how far you want to go:
Newel posts decide how easy the job is. On many older stairs the newel is structural: the strings are jointed into it, and sometimes it runs down through the floor. You can't just pull these out. The usual approach is to cut the post above the string and fit a new top section with a strong dowel joint, or fit a newel cap-over sleeve, so the stair stays intact.
Guarding in houses is covered by Approved Document K. On the stairs, the handrail should be between 900mm and 1000mm high, measured vertically from the pitch line. Landing guarding should be at least 900mm high. Gaps between spindles or panels must not let a 100mm sphere pass through. Plenty of older balustrades fall short of this, so a replacement is a good chance to put it right.
Like-for-like replacement in an ordinary house doesn't usually need building control approval. If your home is listed, you'll need listed building consent from Dudley Council before altering original joinery, even inside. Being in a conservation area doesn't normally affect internal work on a house, but ask the council if you're unsure.
Prices depend on the number of spindles, the length of the landing, any turns or winders, whether the newels are being replaced and how much making good is needed afterwards. As a rough guide for a straight flight with a small landing, spindles only often come to around £400 to £900 fitted. A full balustrade in pine or painted softwood is typically £1,200 to £2,500, and in oak roughly £2,000 to £4,500. Glass usually starts at around £2,500 and can go well past £6,000 on long landings.
By comparison, a new staircase fitted in the area often runs from £3,000 to £8,000 or more. It also means more disruption, patching plaster and redecorating the hall. If the stair itself is sound, keeping it is usually the better use of your budget.
A new balustrade can't fix problems in the stair itself. It's worth considering a full replacement if you find:
Yes, if the newels are sound and firmly fixed. They can be sanded and restained or painted to match the new spindles, or fitted with a new top section if you want a different style.
A straight flight with a short landing usually takes one to two days. Longer landings, turns and oak take longer. Glass needs measuring first and often has a lead time of one to three weeks before it can be fitted.
Cutting out old spindles and fitting new ones creates some dust, so the hall and landing are sheeted and cleaned daily. If you're painting the new balustrade, expect some decorating afterwards, particularly around the newels and where the old baserail met the wall.
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