Replacing inappropriate porch balustrades

The owner of this home replaced the porch step rails with new, inappropriate details as seen below.

There was no traditional newel post, and the balusters were nailed on the outside of the rail like modern deck builders do it.  The Preservation Specialist asked the owner to redo the stair balustrade, and the owner asked me to make the parts.

I made tapered newels, which were seen being glued up at right. All wood is treated. The treads that were used were not wide enough to accommodate a cove molding under the tread which was traditionally done. It’s a pet peeve of mine so I made new treads wide enough to accommodate a cove molding. I make a custom cove molding out of treated scraps so it will last forever. I take 2 X 12’s and cut out the vertical grain portion of the board leaving the center.  I glue the pieces together then plane them to 1 1/8 inches  – the traditional thickness of porch treads.

 

The new but inappropriate balustrade is shown at left below.  A tapered newel, little cap and new balusters were attached the traditional way as seen at the right below.