Baluster Layout Calculator
Type (Balcony or Rake)
Rise = 7
Run = 9
Type = 1
Baluster Measurements
Baluster Width =
Spacing Limit = 4
Offset = 0
Span =
Results
#Balusters = 0
Angle of Incline = 0
First Fillet =
Spacing (fillet length) =
Centers =
Baluster Centers =
fc =
bnob =
bspt =
snob =
nob
sspt =
Help
This template was designed to speed up the process of installing Balusters. Especially when using fillets as spacers between Balusters.
[https://poweronecalc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/templates/baluster_layout2.png]
Rows
Type (Balcony or Rake)
- Rise: Balcony or Rake rise. Used to convert the horizontal values to measurements used for the Rake and provide an angle to cut fillets.
- Run: Balcony or Rake run. Used to convert the horizontal values to measurements used for the Rake and provide an angle to cut fillets.
- Type: Calculations are for a balcony or rake.
Baluster Measurements
- Baluster Width: Baluster width measured from the narrowest part of the baluster.
- Spacing Limit: Maximum distance allowed between balusters. This dimension is determined by local building codes.
- Offset: Offset to the first baluster. If the newel has no turning or it's between walls then set to 0. If measuring off a wall also set to 0.
- Span: Measured by following along the diagonal of the Rake. When calculating a balcony, the measurement between newels and wall at the narrowest part of the newel.
Results:
- #Balusters: Calculated or entered number of balusters. Tap [icon--app-equals-known] to return to the calculated value.
- Angle of Incline: How steep the stairs are and provides an angle to cut fillets used on the diagonal of the Rake.
- First Fillet: The First Fillet’s position is adjusted by the Offset and Baluster Width to preserve the Spacing Limit against the turning of a Newel.
- Spacing (Fillet Length): Slope length measurement that maintains the horizontal limit. The limit is the run of a right triangle and the Spacing is the hypotenuse.
- Centers: Space between baluster centers used for marking holes.
- Baluster Centers: Center of each baluster. Stretch a tape across the nosing up against a newel or wall and mark the nosing with the measurements located in each baluster center.
[https://poweronecalc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/templates/baluster_layout1.png]
Note: Why 64th's?
It is necessary to maintain accuracy when cutting fillets. This template is set to 64ths. It is not recommended to reduce that in the template settings. (Note that PowerOne may reduce on its own, which only happens when it is safe to do so without losing accuracy.)
For example, your calculation says you need 16 balusters to fill a space between newels. If calculated with 16th's then the spacing is calculated as 3&1/2 inches. However if you choose to use 64th's instead, per this template, then you would have seen it is actually closer to 3&17/32 inches. At 16th's each baluster will be off by only 1/16th of an inch. However, the last baluster could be off by as much as 1/2 inches.
How's the math work? Each baluster is off by 1/32nd and this accumulates. The first was out of position a 1/32nd, the second was out by a 1/16th, the third by 3/32, etc. Mathematically, you have 16 balusters and 17 spaces: 17 × 1/32 = 17/32 of an inch. All balusters are 3&1/2 inches apart except the last one, which is 4&1/32 inches all because you lost a 32nd on each space.
The error is small but it compounds into a larger error at the end. However, this can be minimized with better accuracy. Cut the first fillet to the nearest 64th then set the saw up to cut multiple fillets all the same size.
Using 64th's will not ensure perfect results either, but it will be much closer since most spans are less than 8ft.
Example
Example 1
Calculate a rake baluster with a 7" rise and 9" run. The balusters are 5/8" wide, have a spacing limit of 4", offset of 5/8", and a span of 3'7&1/2".
Type (Balcony or Rake)
-Rise: 7in
-Run: 9in
-Type: Balcony
Baluster Measurements
-Baluster Width: 5/8in
-Spacing Limit: 4in
-Offset: 5/8in
-Span: 3ft 7&1/2in
Results
-Number of Balusters: 9
-Angle of Incline: 0.0°
-First Fillet: 3&5/32in
-Spacing (fillet length): 3&25/32in
-Centers: 4&13/32in
-Baluster Centers:
3&1/2in
7&7/8in
1ft 5/16in or 12&5/16in
1ft 4&11/16in or 16&11/16in
1ft 9&1/8in or 21&1/8in
2ft 1&9/16in or 25&9/16in
2ft 5&15/16in or 29&15/16in
2ft 10&3/8in or 34&3/8in
3ft 2&3/4in or 38&3/4in
Example 2
Calculate the same for a balcony baluster with the same measurements.
Type (Balcony or Rake)
-Type: Rake
Results
-Number of Balusters: 7
-Angle of Incline: 37.9°
-First Fillet: 4&1/4in
-Spacing (fillet length): 4&3/4in
-Centers: 5&17/32in
-Baluster Centers List:
4&1/8in
9&7/8in
1ft 3&7/16in or 15&7/16in
1ft 8&15/15in or 20&15/16in
2ft 2&1/2in or 26&1/2in
2ft 8in or 32in
3ft 1&9/16in or 37&9/16in
Keywords
Rise
Run
Type
Baluster Width
Spacing Limit
Offset
Span
#Balusters
Angle of Incline
First Fillet
Spacing (fillet length)
Centers
Baluster Centers
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Baluster Spacing
