Iron Baluster, LLC dba Viewrail dba Schafer Flooring (“Viewrail”) is transforming complexity into beautiful simplicity by crafting products that define exceptional spaces. We dream, design, and manufacture spaces that are extraordinary. We stand behind our product and processes, and are committed to your project's success. To uphold this commitment and ensure a seamless experience, please review our comprehensive customer policies below. You can also review our warranty information at viewrail.com/warranty.
Orders placed but not released to production will be assessed a fee for work completed by our product design/engineering department. Pre-engineered orders and engineered orders where design work has not yet started may also be assessed a cancellation fee based on order age, due to internal handling and administrative costs.
Design work is considered started once technical or CAD drawings have been initiated. It is possible that technical or CAD drawings have been initiated even if the customer has not received them.
No cancellations are accepted after an order has been released to production. For pre-engineered orders, this typically takes place within the same business day the order is placed. For engineered-to-order products, this may take longer.
Building code compliance requirements vary greatly from location to location. Viewrail offers solutions that meet and exceed the current IRC and IBC building codes. Therefore, Viewrail is not liable for orders that do not comply with applicable building codes specific to the customer’s installation location or local jurisdiction. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure compliance with any applicable jurisdiction specific building codes. Local building code requirements will always supersede any and all suggested procedures, products, installation and applications offered by Viewrail.
Any product remakes and/or refunds are up to the discretion of Viewrail.
If a freight shipment appears damaged upon arrival, note the damage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) paperwork provided by the driver before signing to accept the delivery. After noting the damage, please accept delivery, do not deny it. This ensures that the freight company will acknowledge the damage at the time of delivery. Take photos of all materials and send them to the customer's project manager or to Viewrail customer service via customerservice@viewrail.com. Photos of damage must be submitted within 5-business days of receipt of shipment. Damaged Product must be reported before installation of product. The customer will then work directly with Viewrail on proper documentation and potential replacement of material ordered. Viewrail may require the part be returned. Note that in many cases the packaging may be damaged but the product is not. Viewrail will replace any confirmed damaged items. Customers who report damages outside of the 5-business day window may incur additional charges to replace the material needed.
If the number of skids and/or boxes indicated on the Bill of Lading (BOL) is different from the delivered skids and/or boxes, note the shortage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) paperwork provided by the driver before signing to accept the delivery.
Product Shortages must be reported within 5-business days of receipt of a product. Reports should be made via email to the customer’s project manager or to customer service via customerservice@viewrail.com. Customers will be provided with shipping information and a packing list via email enabling the customer to take proper inventory of their order after the driver has departed. Please do not delay the driver to take inventory.
Customers who report shortages outside of the 5-business day window may incur additional charges to replace the material needed.
Pricing is subject to change at any time for all orders.
If a pricing error occurs, Viewrail reserves the right to adjust the order after the fact. If a pricing error does happen and Viewrail alters the price, the customer will have the option to cancel the order. An example of a pricing error is if the displayed price is $19.90, but the price is supposed to be $199.
If customers choose to pay an expedite fee, this fee is not eligible for discounts.
The price of installation is separate from the product and cannot be discounted as part of a sale.
Customers are prohibited from claiming more than one pricing promotion per order.
Quotes provided to customers are good for 30-days. However, the discount may change based on current promotions.
Quotes are an estimate of the final project cost. This price may vary based on the final overall scope of the project. Viewrail does its best to capture the entire scope of work at the time of the sale but job sites change during the build cycle. Additional materials may be needed based on actual job site conditions or engineering results at the time of project design and engineering. Viewrail reserves the right to charge for additional materials to complete the final scope of work. Viewrail is not responsible for changes from the original estimated scope nor any portions of the project that were missed in the original scope.
Pricing provided to customers via the Viewrail website calculators and pricing tools are merely estimates and are not final pricing.
Viewrail may run promotions or discount sales which are available to our customers both online and directly from our sales teams. Promotional or discount sale prices are only applicable during their designated active sale dates, and cannot be extended or applied retroactively.
The Pro Rebate program has ended. Balances must be utilized by December 31, 2025.
Locked-in pricing is only available under the following conditions:
Estimated shipping is subject to change based on final shipping address. For projects with a final shipping address in Alaska, Hawaii, or other locations requiring special delivery services, shipping price is subject to change . Customer is responsible for notifying Viewrail of special delivery requirements including but not limited to shipment must deliver via ferry or inaccessible roads or driveways. Failure to notify Viewrail prior to shipment will result in increased delivery charges. If customer requests multiple shipments, Viewrail may assess additional shipping charges.
Estimated taxes are based on shipping address at the time of the order. Final tax charge is based on shipping address and tax rate at time of shipment. Per tax law, Viewrail must collect any additional tax in the event tax rates change prior to shipment.
Payment terms are set and agreed upon prior to deposit. This information is reflected on the quote/proposal.
Any portion of an order total exceeding this limit must be paid by ACH transfer, check, or wire transfer.
All custom products must be reviewed and approved prior to being released to production.
Viewrail is not responsible for additional parts and/or replacement parts required which are not noted in the original order details or covered in subsequent change orders. The client is responsible for ensuring the scope of the project is correctly defined.
Many Viewrail products are custom manufactured. Therefore the customer is responsible to provide accurate measurements, noting important structural details and possible obstructions.
Certain projects are eligible for measurement only services or Certified Installer Services (which includes measurements). These services are typically provided after rough framing has been completed (new build) or after demolition has begun (remodel) at any worksite. Measurements are typically performed in 1 to 2 site visits depending on scope of work, and build schedules.
Viewrail ensures the accuracy of these measurements as long as the customer adheres to the following requirements:
All custom products will undergo an approval process prior to production. This process includes:
Any revisions beyond the (2nd) revision may be subject to additional Design & Engineering fees billed at $150 per hour.
Failure to follow these requirements may result in extended lead times, additional measurement fees and/or material costs.
Viewrail’s lead times are always calculated and estimated for ideal conditions in our production facilities and with market demands in mind. Due to the custom nature of Viewrail’s products, these dates are always estimated and never guaranteed. Additionally, they do not include shipping transit time. While Viewrail will always work diligently to meet our customer’s desired on-site date, Viewrail will not be held responsible for job site delays, costs due to contractor scheduling conflicts, or any other added expenses including, but not limited to, interest rate changes or mortgage payments.
Certain factors are unpredictable when producing and shipping custom-manufactured products including shipping damage, shipping transit delays, acts of nature/weather, and labor shortages. As a best practice, customers should conduct an inventory using their packing list while inspecting the quality of the product within 5 business days of receiving the shipment. Once the customer is satisfied that everything on the packing list has been received and the quality is as promised/satisfactory, the customer should conduct final scheduling with their contractor. Viewrail does not recommend final scheduling with a contractor before the material is shipped and received.
Orders will be shipped upon completion in production. If Viewrail is unable to deliver the product or if storage of product is requested by a customer for more than 5 business days, Viewrail reserves the right to assess a storage fee of up to $100 a day. Viewrail reserves the right to pass on any LTL storage fees in excess of $100 to the customer.
Viewrail reserves the right to amend shipping rates at its discretion and at any point during the process.
All standard freight decisions are to be made at Viewrail’s discretion. Viewrail operates its own delivery service in select regions.
Small package deliveries will be made with UPS or US Mail. Express shipping is only available at the customer's cost, including any remakes or additional products. Carrier tracking information is considered proof of delivery for all shipments. Air freight may not be available for all products.
All orders with products over 8ft long will be delivered via Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipment. Large LTL shipments will be made with a number of LTL carriers. Please contact your sales representative if you are interested in LTL’s “no appointment necessary” delivery. If you choose this option you have 24 hours to report any shortages and damages. The carrier will send texts and photos during the delivery process.
If the shipping address is changed after the product ships out from Viewrail’s facility, additional re-consignment fees from the shipping company will be charged to the customer.
Please note: LTL carriers are only contracted to deliver orders to the curb, not to the house.
If a customer does not accept the shipment at the scheduled delivery time, the customer is responsible for any storage fees or other fees associated with the delayed shipment.
For Flooring Orders there must be additional people on site during delivery for material handling. 2,000 sq ft or less can be manually unloaded with 2-3 people on site.
Over 2,000 sq ft must have equipment on site to unload (forklift with 8ft forks)
For large non-flooring orders, we recommend that you have 4 to 5 people on site during delivery for material handling. Material handling equipment may be helpful based on product or project size.
Viewrail reserves the right to charge a re-delivery fee if no one is available to accept delivery. Re-Delivery fee is up to $500 plus any applicable storage fees.
The delivery driver is limited to one (1) hour at the job site for unloading. Additional time required will be subject to extra charges.
Manufacturing errors must be reported within 90-days to your project manager or customer service, who will guide the situation moving forward. Pictures must be provided that clearly show the error in the actual project space. Viewrail reserves the right to remake any applicable product that meets these criteria at no additional cost to the customer. However, if it is found that the error occurs because the job site parameters changed without proper notice to Viewrail or damage occurred after delivery to the job site, the customer may incur the cost of the additional material and shipping. Errors reported after a project installation is complete may incur additional charges to replace the needed materials.
In the event of any of the above scenarios, Viewrail reserves the right to remake the product until the job site requirements are met as originally agreed upon. By acknowledging Viewrail policies during the purchase and/or verification process, customers agree to this method of ultimate satisfaction. Viewrail will not issue refunds based on manufacturing errors, shipping damage, or job site delays. Viewrail does not cover reinstallation costs or rescheduled installation costs unless the customer has purchased a Viewrail installation.
Viewrail assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage as a result of misuse of any Viewrail product(s) or instruction(s). Viewrail assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage as a result of the use, or misuse, of information on this website. Engineering drawings, diagrams, and product quotes are not meant to replace a licensed construction professional. The customer or contractor assumes all responsibility regarding worksite safety.
Due to their custom built-to-order nature, all wood, glass, and most metal products cannot be returned.
Metal products that are eligible for return include:
*White or Silver Surface and Side Mounted Express Cable Railing Posts and Black Side Mount Express Cable Railing Posts are not eligible for return.
Any eligible product returns must be made within 180-days of order shipment. To be eligible for a return, products must be in a resellable condition and cannot be damaged. Returns are assessed a 25% restocking fee. Return Goods Authorization (RGA) form must be completed before any returns. Viewrail does not refund, pay, or reimburse for shipping fees incurred on initial shipment.
For Exterior projects, within 5 miles from saltwater we recommend the following products:
Isolation hardware and Corrosion Prevention Coating is required between all points of contact between stainless and aluminum metals to reduce the risk of galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals.
Marine grade Stainless steel products will oxidize over time in any environment. Regular cleaning and maintenance is required to maintain its finish. Exposure to harsh environments, chemicals, or abuse will accelerate the natural aging process. While these posts will remain structurally sound for the life of the railing, there is a risk for cosmetic degradation resulting in staining of the posts and infill.
*For customers on Long Island, NY, do not use aluminum posts and/or cable infill in exterior applications within 1 mile of the coast due to the extremely harsh environment. Viewrail recommends 2205 stainless posts and 2205 stainless steel rods (brushed or powder coated) or glass railing. Aluminum posts on an exterior within one mile of the coast are excluded from the Viewrail Warranty.
See our Warranty page for more info on warranties available on the coast.
*Express surface and side mounted cable railing posts are not coastal rated products and should not be used for exterior projects within 5 miles of the coast.
Onyx Cable and Onyx hardware finished with black oxide carry a 1 year finish warranty. Black oxide is a chemical conversion finish applied for a darker, understated appearance. This warranty covers the black oxide finish against adhesion failure under normal use. Warranty coverage does not include damage caused by impact upon the finish from objects, abrasion, scratching, or wear of the finish.
In exterior applications, the finish will naturally fade and soften in color over time with UV and weather exposure. This natural fading is expected and is not considered a defect. Periodic application of a light oil in accordance with Viewrail’s instructions can help slow this process and maintain color depth, but is not designed to provide the same long-term color stability as a coated or anodized finish.
Viewrail’s long-length handrails and glass caps are within an acceptable range of variance up to 1/16″ of warp per foot in length.
We strive to provide you with the best possible representation of your finished wood products and flooring. However, due to the natural variations in wood color, character markings, and grain patterns, the final product may vary from the samples you receive. Viewrail or Schafer Flooring will not be held liable for these naturally occurring variations. If you require a narrower set of specifications, please speak with your sales representative. They will be happy to provide you with further details and pricing.
To ensure optimal performance and maintain warranty coverage, Viewrail wood products must be kept in a temperature and humidity controlled environment for the entire lifespan of the product starting at delivery. The building envelope must be 100% weather tight. Temperature must be maintained between 60–80° F. Humidity must be kept within the relative humidity (RH) range of 35–55%. This range ensures that the wood maintains its equilibrium moisture content (EMC), minimizing the risk of expansion, contraction, or warping. Our product must be kept within these ranges at all times and may not fall outside the acceptable range for a sustained period of more than 24 hours for any reason. No major moisture events (concrete pours, excavation, leaks, groundwater issues) may occur after flooring is stored or installed.
Store Product prior to installation on a flat, level, clean surface. Product shall be elevated off the floor and protected from sunlight, excessive heat, cold, moisture, and relative humidity variations.
To validate compliance with these standards, Viewrail includes SmartPlank Smart Sensors embedded directly in your stair treads during production at a rate of one (1) sensor per 1,000 sq. ft. of installed product. These sensors provide continuous environmental monitoring to protect your investment and verify warranty claims.
Products must be acclimated to the environment in which it will be installed for a minimum of 72 hours prior to installation.
Acclimate wood flooring for at least 14 days to balance wood moisture content with the installation environment. The purpose of acclimation is to allow the flooring to reach equilibrium moisture content (wood neither gains nor loses moisture). Open packages, separate into smaller bundles, and cross-stack with spacers to increase airflow.
Follow industry standard installation techniques or Viewrail provided installation guides.
Flooring is designed to be installed immediately after the acclimation period.
Follow NWFA guidelines for subfloor requirements, preparation, and installation. A pdf copy of these guidelines is available upon request from your sales rep or project manager.
Install one data logger per room to maintain warranty.
If installed above radiant heat, two data loggers must be installed to maintain the warranty; one below subfloor and one above finished floor.
Maintain a temperature and humidity controlled environment for the entire lifespan of the product. Maintaining stable indoor conditions is essential to prevent post-installation issues. The wood should reach its equilibrium moisture content (EMC), where it no longer exchanges moisture with the surrounding air as long as it is kept within the ranges noted above. Achieving this balance prevents the wood from distorting after installation.
Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to product degradation, and will void the warranty.
Viewrail lumber, both domestic and exotic is air or kiln-dried to minimize instances of cracking, deformation, and warping. It is the customer’s responsibility to store all wood products in a climate-controlled environment immediately upon receipt. Sealing wood products with a stain or clear finish significantly reduces the risk of cracking or warping. To maintain your warranty on unfinished wood products, you must finish your wood products and email photos of the finished products to WarrantyRegistration@viewrail.com within 15 business days of receipt.
Warping is defined as permanent curvature or deformation of the wood product which is not corrected with a normal installation. We encourage our customers to inspect their wood products upon arrival for any warping and report it within 5-business days of receipt. Warping claims will not be honored outside of this one-week timeframe.
Viewrail only recommends and warrants ipe and thermally modified wood products for outdoor applications. Wood is a natural element. Some small splits and cracks (checking) should be expected on any wood product used outdoors.
Proper Installation: The product must be installed in accordance with Viewrail’s installation instructions and guidelines.
Viewrail recommends an oil based sealer on all thermally modified products, and re-sealing every six months to prolong the life of the product. Failure to adhere to these environmental requirements may lead to product degradation, and will void the warranty.
Stringers, glass panels, posts, floating stair treads, custom-sized treads, and custom-sized landings are manufactured to size and do not require any modification upon delivery.
Handrails and fittings, standard treads and landings, skirt boards, aprons, cable, rods, top cap, base rail and cover, iron balusters, and newels must all be cut to size on the job site.
Viewrail requires customer approval on engineered-to-order projects prior to the order going to production. Stringers, glass panels, posts, floating stair treads, custom-sized treads, and custom-sized landings that match approved dimensions will not be refunded or replaced at Viewrail’s expense.
Viewrail LED lighting components—including LED strips, drivers/power supplies, modules, and wiring harnesses—are covered under a dedicated LED Warranty for one (1) year from the original product’s ship date. See our Warranty documentation for full coverage details, exclusions, and installation requirements for outdoor and wet-location use.
Proper regular cleaning of your glass panels and hardware will ensure your railing is a lasting feature in your home. Here are some guidelines for taking care of your glass panels:
For stainless steel products, Viewrail recommends applying Marine 31 Polish for interior applications and Marine 31 Polish and Marine 31 Sealant for exterior applications every 6 months. Marine 31 Sealant provides a durable, clear, protective coating that withstands the elements for up to 6 months.
Marine 31 Polish is a great way to restore your brushed stainless steel products from Viewrail to their original shine. This polish removes light rust, oxidation, and films which can dull the appearance. Applying this polish is crucial for stainless applications near brackish and saltwater. Marine 31 Polish is harbor-safe and eco-friendly.
If you live in a snowy climate, make sure you clear any snow and ice off of your exterior systems. Consider marine grade products in any areas where products are exposed to salt or corrosive chemicals used to melt snow or ice. It’s important to regularly clear leaves, pollen, and other debris from your exterior systems.
Regularly cleaning your wood products is essential to their longevity in your home. Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining your Viewrail wood products is similar to the care and maintenance of any other wood product in your home. Here are some basic guidelines for maintaining your wood products:
Any agreement, contract, or document signed by the Customer—whether in physical or electronic form—shall be deemed legally binding and enforceable. By signing such documents, the Customer agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth therein, in addition to these Customer Policies, to the extent that any such agreement, contract, or document contains terms that are more restrictive than those set forth in these Customer Policies, the more restrictive terms shall control and supersede the corresponding provisions of these Customer Policies.
These Terms shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana. Any legal proceedings against Viewrail that may arise out of, relate to, or be in any way connected with Viewrail’ services or these Terms of Use shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Elkhart County, Indiana and any jurisdictional, venue, or inconvenient forum objections to such courts are hereby waived.