Yes, we stock all sizes of LokIron for standard hollow balusters. If we happen to be out of stock on any of our items it will be noted on the LokIron.com website.

We ship to 50 states and all US Territories. We will also ship to Canada and Europe—call for shipping costs.

We ship primarily via UPS, FedEx, and USPS.

Absolutely, if you decide not to use LokIron you may return all unused complete bags of LokIron for a full refund. You just pay the return shipping.

If you can put screws into wood then you can install LokIron—it’s that easy.

LokIron is designed to work with all known aluminum (sometimes described as Light Iron shoes). LokIron will not work with most cast iron shoes. By far most shoes sold today are aluminum (sometimes called light iron) but you should check with a building professional if you are not sure what kind of shoes you have.

There are no specific building codes that relate to the installation of Iron Baluster products. The Building Codes that govern stair installation are general and cover all balusters both wood and iron. Our tests have shown LokIron to be much stronger than necessary to withstand the abuse, and wear and tear that stairs must endure.

We have been able to use the included self-drilling screws to install LokIron in red oak and maple stairs which are two medium to hard density hardwoods commonly found in stair installation. However, some woods such as Brazilian Cherry or Epay may require pre-drilling. Each installation is a little different, so if you have any trouble we suggest you consider pre-drilling.

Yes, you will need to purchase the specially designed “knee wall” LokIron anchor posts.

No, treads come in many different species and all hardwood treads will work fine with LokIron.

LokIron is designed with a slight flex ability so that it will “bend” to current stair designs allowed by the building codes

Yes, the MDF will fail long before the LokIron anchor post will fail. This type of installation in most cases is strong enough but it is not as strong as installations in hardwoods. If you have any doubt regarding the strength of the substrate (wood) consult your building professional.

Yes, Pine has reasonably good pull out and holding strength and so the installation should work fine. Again, hardwood installations are stronger than pine.

It will only work with hollow iron balusters and aluminum shoes.

We know the following company's balusters will work with LokIron; LJ Smith®, House of Forgings®, Creative Stair Parts®, Universal®, WM Coffman®, Crown Heritage®, The Source®. Lokiron is likely to work with all hollow balusters on the market.

We believe all 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, or 3/4 hollow balusters will work well with LokIron. We have not been able to find a company whose balusters do not work with LokIron.

No, the LokIron screws have been specially designed to work with the LokIron anchor post with specific diameters for the holes.

Our tests show that along with the long center screw, strong installations only need two short screws to achieve the strength needed for a safe and sturdy installation.

Our tests show this configuration offers the most strength.

It is not necessary for all the screws to be long to achieve the necessary strength.

Our tests have shown that LokIron will exceed 400 lbs applied directly to the base of the baluster. In fact in our tests the iron baluster failed before LokIron failed.

Our tests show that in a knee wall installation four screws are needed to achieve the LokIron strength requirements.

After putting the long screw through the anchor post, identify the location where the LokIron post centers over the spot pre-determined for the baluster and then insert the screw into the wood but do not tighten until you square the base flange of the LokIron anchor post with the baluster line.

• Not messy
• In its liquid state Epoxy can be hazardous.
• No special gun to dispense the epoxy required.
• You do not have to drill a large hole in the tread.
• If you have to sand epoxy it creates hazardous dust that can be dangerous.
• If epoxy drips onto the wood and has to be sanded it can be very difficult to get the epoxy completely off the wood. Then you have the problem of the stain “spotting” on the wood and the finish stain having stain blotches.
• Epoxy can be difficult to work with.
• It is more expensive to use epoxy.
• It is easier to install hollow iron balusters with LokIron.
• It is faster to install hollow iron balusters with LokIron
• Epoxy can be wasteful—typically you will almost never use the entire tube of the epoxy—some will be left in the tube find its way to the landfill and you will have just thrown away expensive epoxy.