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34:["$","div",null,{"className":"bg-white rounded-lg shadow-sm p-8","children":[["$","h2",null,{"className":"typo-large mb-6 text-mist-950","children":"Frequently Asked Questions"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"space-y-6","children":[["$","div","0",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"How many balusters do I need per foot of railing?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"It depends on your baluster width and spacing, but here's a rough guide: with standard 1.5-inch balusters and 3.5-inch spacing, you'll need about 2.4 balusters per foot. For a 10-foot section, that's roughly 24 balusters. But \"roughly\" isn't good enough for buying materials—use the calculator with your exact measurements.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}],["$","div","1",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"What if my calculation gives me a decimal like 18.7 balusters?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Round up to 19. Always round up. Rounding down means your end gaps get wider, potentially putting you out of code compliance. Plus, that extra baluster costs a couple bucks. Redoing your railing because it failed inspection costs a lot more.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}],["$","div","2",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"What's the difference between balusters, spindles, and pickets?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Functionally, nothing. They're regional terms for the same thing. \"Baluster\" is the technical term you'll see in building codes. \"Spindle\" is common in the Midwest and for stair components. \"Picket\" usually refers to fence components but sometimes gets used for deck railings too. Use whichever term your local lumber yard understands.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}],["$","div","3",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"My deck has a curved section. Can I still use this calculator?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"For gentle curves, yes—just measure the length along the curve. For tight curves, it gets complicated because balusters are straight and won't follow the curve perfectly. You might need to adjust spacing or use flexible materials. Consider consulting a contractor for complex curved railings.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}],["$","div","4",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"Do I need to calculate differently for metal vs. wood balusters?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"The math is the same, but metal balusters are typically thinner (often 3/4 inch vs. 1.5 inches for wood). Thinner balusters mean tighter spacing at the same gap width, which means more balusters total. Just enter the correct width for your material.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}],"$L37","$L38","$L39","$L3a","$L3b"]}]]}]
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37:["$","div","5",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"Can I mix baluster sizes for a decorative pattern?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"You can, but the calculation gets more complex. If you're alternating between two sizes, calculate as if all balusters were the wider size to ensure code compliance at the narrowest points. Or calculate each pattern section separately.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}]
38:["$","div","6",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"How do I handle corners where two railing sections meet?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Corners typically share a post. Calculate each section with that corner post included in both calculations, but only count it once when adding up your total materials. The balusters don't share—each section gets its own calculation.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}]
39:["$","div","7",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"What spacing should I use if I want more privacy?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Tighter spacing (closer to 3 inches/7.5 cm) creates a more solid look and blocks more sightlines. Just know you'll need more balusters—about 20-30% more compared to maximum-code spacing. For true privacy, consider solid panels instead of balusters.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}]
3a:["$","div","8",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"Is the 4-inch rule different for commercial properties?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Commercial building codes (IBC vs. IRC) have similar baluster spacing requirements, but other aspects like railing height and load requirements are stricter. If you're working on a commercial project, consult the IBC and your local commercial building codes directly.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}]
3b:["$","div","9",{"className":"pb-6 last:pb-0","children":[["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-lg font-medium text-mist-950 mb-3","children":"Should I install balusters before or after the top rail?"}],["$","div",null,{"className":"prose max-w-none text-mist-600","children":["$","$L31",null,{"content":{"root":{"children":[{"children":[{"detail":0,"format":0,"mode":"normal","style":"","text":"Most systems work best with the bottom rail installed first, then balusters, then top rail. This lets you adjust spacing and ensure everything is plumb before locking it all in place. Check your specific railing system's instructions—some composite systems have a different sequence.","type":"text","version":1}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"paragraph","version":1,"textFormat":0,"textStyle":""}],"direction":null,"format":"","indent":0,"type":"root","version":1}}}]}]]}]
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