Tearing Down Those Half Walls

Tearing Down Those Half WallsTypical in the 2000s half walls were used in lieu of railings on staircases. This practice eliminates the need for precision, after all who can see the imperfections with carpet? The homeowner’s desire was to open up the space, an upgrade to a grander entrance and be rid of the carpet on the stairs. Who likes to vacuum stairs anyway?The pony walls were removed and the stair structural rebuilt for correct measurements for code and hardwood installation. Because the existing home had LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) plank flooring that was not going to be replaced, nor did it come with matching treads, we opted to place solid wood Oak treads for the durability and stability (with three kids and a big dog in house). The 4 ½” classic craftsman newel posts anchor the oak railing with enclosed black metal balusters set in a pattern of a single orb every four squared balusters. The treads and railings were then stained in a color closely matching the existing LVT flooring. Stair skirts and risers were then painted white. The result, a beautiful showcase stairway that invites you in. We’re pretty sure their neighbors are jealous.