{"id":515,"date":"2009-02-16T12:00:44","date_gmt":"2009-02-16T18:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kirkmahoney.com\/blog\/2009\/02\/baluster-vs-balustrade-vs-banister\/"},"modified":"2009-02-16T12:01:02","modified_gmt":"2009-02-16T18:01:02","slug":"baluster-vs-balustrade-vs-banister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kirkmahoney.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/02\/baluster-vs-balustrade-vs-banister\/","title":{"rendered":"“Baluster” vs. “Balustrade” vs. “Banister”"},"content":{"rendered":"

I sometimes hear these nouns used interchangeably.<\/p>\n

Problem:<\/strong>
\nThese nouns are not all synonyms.<\/p>\n

Explanation:<\/strong>
\nA “baluster” is a moulded shaft that most often supports the handrail of a staircase but also can be used to support the coping of a parapet, which is a wall-like barrier often at the edge of a roof.<\/p>\n

The noun “baluster” comes from the Italian word — balaustra<\/em> — for a pomegranate flower because the traditional shape of a baluster resembles the half-open pomegranate flower.<\/p>\n

Balusters often are made of stone or wood and are sometimes made of metal.<\/p>\n

A “balustrade” is a sequence of balusters that support a handrail.<\/p>\n

A “banister” — also spelled with two “n”s — is another name for a staircase baluster, but many architects and interior designers prefer to reserve the word “banister” for a narrower, more-modern support.<\/p>\n

Now here is where it becomes more confusing.<\/p>\n

Many Americans — I cannot speak for other countries — also use the word “banister” to refer to the handrail of a staircase.<\/p>\n

Solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n