Flat-Sawn Balusters Give Railings All-Out Style
Showcase designs from Victorian patterns to hints at your hobby with this decorative wood railing detail
Originally designed for Victorian houses, flat-sawn balusters convey a good old-fashioned feel in a home. Often referred to as gingerbread or paper doll balustrades, these decorative railing features are most commonly found on historic residences, wrapping around porches, balconies and interior staircases.
Naturally resistant to rot, flat-sawn balusters are precision cut from lasting woods, like western red cedar, and designed with lifelong durability in mind. Created with a fretsaw, they encompass the use of negative space in their design. The balusters are generally 1 to 2 inches thick and 4 to 8 inches wide, and are placed together in a repeating pattern so that the cut of spaces attracts the eye.
Flat-sawn baluster patterns span from the late 1800s to the present day. Whether you are restoring an old house or building a new showstopper, decorative flat-sawn balusters and gingerbread details will be the crowning touch to any porch or stair design.
Naturally resistant to rot, flat-sawn balusters are precision cut from lasting woods, like western red cedar, and designed with lifelong durability in mind. Created with a fretsaw, they encompass the use of negative space in their design. The balusters are generally 1 to 2 inches thick and 4 to 8 inches wide, and are placed together in a repeating pattern so that the cut of spaces attracts the eye.
Flat-sawn baluster patterns span from the late 1800s to the present day. Whether you are restoring an old house or building a new showstopper, decorative flat-sawn balusters and gingerbread details will be the crowning touch to any porch or stair design.
This custom cypress balustrade in Key West, Florida, has propeller-shaped cutouts, illustrating the homeowner's line of work.
With the balusters placed together in a repeating pattern, the cutouts are what draw the eye. They are particularly effective in front of the dramatic exterior backdrop.
Carefully restored, this historical home features knee wall railings on the lower porch and flat-sawn balusters with arrow cutouts on the upper porch.
This Tudor revival in Pasadena, California, showcases a beautiful original 1927 staircase featuring 85-year-old flat-sawn balusters and a custom patterned runner.
Elaborately detailed flat-sawn balusters grace the interior staircase of this historic gambrel residence in Newton, Massachusetts.
This simple take on flat-sawn balusters was custom designed and built onsite.
With this dark, natural wood railing in front of a white wall, the clover pattern especially stands out.
A simple square pattern repeats on these flat-sawn staircase balusters and the custom window seat bench.
Chock-full of Victorian details, the exterior of this home features flat-sawn balusters, porch brackets, an elaborate gable design, decorative spandrels and a comprehensive color scheme.
Do you have flat-sawn balusters in your house? We'd love to see a photo in the Comments below.
Do you have flat-sawn balusters in your house? We'd love to see a photo in the Comments below.