You have decided to remove the wooden spindles on your grand staircase and replace them with wrought iron. You have long loved the look of wrought iron, and you are convinced that new spindles will transform a lackluster staircase into something truly magnificent. That’s great. Do you know what kind of iron spindles you want?
The Iron Spindle is an Atlanta, Georgia company that specializes in iron spindle installations. The folks behind the company say that many of their customers are surprised by the sheer variety of spindles. There are so many choices that it can be hard to pick one. Is it possible there are too many choices? That is for you to decide.
Below are descriptions of some of the most common iron spindles. Hopefully your contractor has the right spindle for the look you want to create.
Tubular Spindles
The most basic kind of iron spindle is the tubular spindle. It is as its name suggests: an iron tube without any ornate design. These kinds of spindles are as basic and simple as they come. Before you dismiss them as not being ornate enough, consider the look you are trying to achieve in relation to the rest of the décor in your home.
If you like the modern look of clean lines and neutral colors, straight tubular spindles might be ideal. The same goes for an industrial look. Do not just assume that tubular spindles are too plain. They might actually be perfect.
Square Spindles
Square spindles are similar in that they are straight and plain. The only difference is that they have four hard corners. A square spindle can add just a touch of definition without going overboard. It might also be an ideal choice for your modern home.
Ribbon Twists
Next up are ribbon twists. These are spindles that started out as squares but were then twisted during the forging process. The result is a look that resembles a piece of ribbon twisted along its entire length. Twisted ribbons are a bit more ornate as compared to straight tubular or square spindles, yet still not so noisy as to be visually distracting.
S-Shaped Spindles
If you are looking for a spindle that will break up the space a bit, consider s-shaped spindles. As the name suggests, they are shaped like the letter ‘S’ with small posts for attaching at the top and bottom. They afford the opportunity to install fewer over the same amount of space by virtue of the fact that they are wider.
Note that they may not work well on a narrow or steep staircase. You might want to reserve s-shaped spindles for the landing and choose something else for the staircase.
Basket Spindles
Those looking for something a bit more intricate and with a slightly Gothic look might consider basket spindles. These are spindles with ornate work resembling a basket. The basket can be located just about anywhere along the length of the spindle. Off-center baskets create a very elegant look when the direction of the spindles is alternated along the length of the staircase.
Modern Spindles
We will close this post with modern spindles. These are typically spindles with square or rectangular shapes running vertically. Imagine your handrail being supported by the outline of a square instead of a post. That’s the idea here. Modern spindles are all about clean lines and minimal visual stimulation.
There are certainly many other designs considerably more intricate than what was described here. Are there too many choices? That is up to you to decide. Hopefully this post has given you a starting point.