We found that a carpenter would charge $375 to remove a metal railing and replace with a 5-foot-long, 23-inch-high prefinished oak railing and balusters on the second-floor landing of a house. We ...

To upgrade a home with a metal railing on the second floor landing, consider using a new hardwood railing. It’s sure to be noticed for its traditional good looks. The project requires some woodworking ...

Kelly has over 10 years of experience writing about home design and improvement for many prominent publications. She also spent several years working at a tech startup for an interior design game ...

Q: I’m redoing my fancy front porch, which is not too much work except for the spindles on the railing. Several need replacing. They can’t be put on a lathe. Trouble is, who would do that? A carpenter ...

Next time you’re in an older home, take a close look at the stairs to see if you can find a unique quirk. Sometimes you’ll see a single baluster that doesn’t match the others within a staircase ...