Initially, today's article was planned as a conversation about fencing intermediate staircase landings. We wanted to talk about what a staircase balustrade is, how it is installed and what materials it is made of. But then we thought and decided that this part of the fence and the railings form one whole, so we will talk about everything together. This will make it more interesting and informative.
So, regardless of what type of staircase you have installed, it must be equipped with a fencing system if it has more than three steps (this is a standard established at the state level).
The fencing system can be divided into two parts:
- – Absolutely everyone is familiar with this concept.
- Balustrade– horizontal part of the fence. It is made of the same parts as the railing, but encloses the platform with free edges, to which the staircase approaches.
The task of the fencing system is to ensure complete safety of people’s movement along the stairs, and therefore its parameters are also regulated at the state level - more on that later.
In addition, the balustrade and railings can carry a huge decorative component of both a separate staircase and the entire interior as a whole. Here, take a look at the following photos to see this.
The structure of railings and balustrades
The structure of the fence can vary greatly from model to model of stairs. This is influenced by the material from which it is made and the design idea of the engineer.
Now we will list the elements, starting with the most common ones and ending with rarer parts. For a visual representation, please refer to the attached diagram above.
So:
- - an inclined, flat, smooth element that we hold on to when moving up the stairs.
- It can have a different profile, but usually their production is based on the anthropomorphic features of the structure of the human hand (individual design compositions do not count).
- The handrail is usually made in the form of a solid, inextricable element so that a person cannot injure his hand when lifting. Also, some of them can be divided into sections, between which decorative elements are installed.
- Support posts are part of the fence that gives it the main rigidity. They are installed at the beginning of the rise, at its end, in places where the structure turns, and also with a certain step in balustrades, if they are long.
- In this regard, there are pillars: entry, turning, end and intermediate.
- The pillars are rigidly attached either to the steps or to the strings of the structure. For this, powerful metal pins or large wooden choppers are used.
- Externally, they are larger than balusters, and they look more beautiful - they are carved, various figures are attached, and various finials are installed.
- - this is the vertical part of the fence that fills the space between the support posts.
- They also make them curly, but usually they all have the same shape.
- Balusters are not a load-bearing element of the fencing system, however, when installed correctly, they significantly add rigidity to it, since they are also connected to the steps and handrail, just like the posts.
- There is simply a huge variety of balusters. They are turned on machines or made by hand, creating truly unique, unlike anything else compositions.
- Balusters are not the only parts with which the fence is filled. Horizontal elements, solid panels, grilles and much more can be installed here. So it’s worth highlighting this point separately.
- Sub-baluster strip - installed on some structures when there is no need to connect the balusters to the steps. This is done for the sake of the design idea, or so that later, without dismantling the fence, it is possible to easily repair and replace the steps.
- This detail remains visible, so attention is also paid to its appearance.
- Baluster bar - this element is purely structural and is not visible when viewing the staircase from the side.
- It is used to carefully fasten the handrail, hiding the screws from the eyes of observers.
- In fact, it is part of the handrail, which, after gluing, becomes one with it.
- Next come the decorative elements of the structure, which include: a pillar cover, tops, for example, a ball with a leg, decorative plates for pillars.
Fencing requirements
The main document establishing the requirements in our country is GOST 25772-83, but in addition to it, about 7 other regulatory documents contain the necessary information. If we summarize all the requirements described there, we can highlight the following main points that must be taken into account when building a staircase with a railing.
- The height of the fence must be at least 90 centimeters, otherwise it will be awkward to hold on to the handrail when moving. Here the data is focused on the height of the average person, so you can select any value convenient for you yourself.
- The fence must cope with high loads - a horizontally applied force of 200 kilograms should not damage or even deform the structure, otherwise it will be unsafe to use the stairs - imagine a situation where two people talking are leaning on the railing.
- The fence must be firmly fixed. Backlash of parts and the entire structure as a whole is unacceptable.
- The distance between the balusters is usually 20 centimeters, or they are guided by the dimensions of the steps themselves. If the stairs will be used by small children, this value should not exceed 12 centimeters. It is also recommended to remove horizontal elements from the filling that a child could climb up.
- If we are talking about preschool institutions, then an additional handrail is added to the fencing system, at a height of 40 centimeters. The railings themselves are made of greater height - up to 120 centimeters. The distance between the balusters is also reduced.
- All structural elements must be well processed and free from nicks, scale and other defects that could cause hand injury during use.
- A handrail made of any material must be covered with layers of paint and varnish. This improves the performance of the structure and further protects you from injury.
- In houses where people with disabilities or the elderly live, the stairs are additionally equipped with a wall handrail.
Manufacturing and assembly of stainless steel stair railings
We have already described more than once in the materials on our website how railings from wood, concrete and even plastic are assembled. But here are the metal handrails, while we somehow avoided them.
The reason is that they are rarely installed, because this material is not always pleasant to touch with your hands, which is why it is often replaced with wood. However, if you wanted to install a stainless steel fencing option, there should not be anything foreign in it.
In general, today we decided to devote part of the article on installation entirely to this topic. The material will be very interesting, especially for those who like to do everything with their own hands.
Working equipment
We will talk about the materials we will work with as we describe the work, but I would like to pay a little attention to the tool.
For work we will need:
- Bulgarian– with its help we will cut the metal pipe into pieces of the required length. The kit also includes a thin saw blade for metal. Alternatively, you can work with a hand hacksaw, but this is very time-consuming and takes a lot of effort.
- Half-round or round file We will need it in order to remove burrs from the cut areas.
- We will be drilling a lot of metal, so you should definitely have a convenient drill available. It can also be replaced with a hammer drill, but it is better to have both tools, since constantly changing attachments is a tedious task, and the dimensions and weight of some hammer drills are too large to perform accurate work.
- Be sure to take a screwdriver too, since we will make all connections without welding, which means we will need to tighten a lot of screws.
- You won't be able to draw on polished metal with a pencil, so stock up on a few good markers for marking work.
- Where would we be without roulette?. This little helper is indispensable when carrying out any work.
- Since the railings and balustrade must be fixed very firmly, we will fill the mounting holes with chemical anchors– more details as we describe the work.
As you can see, the entire set is quite standard and will be available to almost everyone, so we buy the necessary material and go ahead.
The nuances of working with stainless steel
Our instructions will be detailed, equipped with many photographs, so read and look carefully.
So, we have to work with a stainless steel pipe. The price of the material is not the lowest, but the costs are justified by high performance characteristics, pleasant appearance and the absence of the need to treat the material with protective and decorative compounds.
It is very important to be able to cut such a pipe correctly, because it has an awkward round cross-section:
- We start by using a tape measure to mark on the pipe the length of the piece we need.
Actively used in both external and internal design of private properties and public spaces. New materials make it possible to create a beautiful and reliable fence that will effectively highlight your advantages and carefully help to disguise individual defects.
When and where did it appear
Researchers claim that the balustrade is an invention of the ancient Assyrians, who used it to enclose window openings in the process of decorating palace facades. Europeans became acquainted with balustrade systems only at the end of the 15th century, when they began to be actively used in Italy. At that time, the balustrade, the photo of which you see, was installed in Verona and Venice and served as an alternative to small arcades.
The balustrade as we know it today was proposed by the Italian architect Giuliano di Sangalo. He used this element as an external decoration during the construction of the terrace at the Villa Medici, and subsequently during the construction of palaces in the ancient style. Initially, balusters in balustrades copied classical columns, but over time, figured columns of various shapes appeared, creating more expressive silhouettes and a pattern of through holes in the gap.
What it is
As already mentioned, a balustrade is an architectural element consisting of balusters and pedestals - supporting vertical elements that support a horizontal handrail. Balusters are installed on the cabinets and secured with a handrail on top, as a result of which you can get not only a reliable protective fence that protects against falling from a height or limiting the space, but also an exquisite and unique decorative element that favorably emphasizes the individual style of your home or apartment.
Balustrade complexes are actively used by modern designers for landscape decoration. Concrete balustrades are most often installed outdoors, as they are most resistant to various adverse environmental influences and do not require special care.
Today, depending on the material from which they are made, several types of balustrades are distinguished; let's look at them in more detail.
What are they made of?
The most modern material used to create balustrades is polyurethane. It is light, durable, and not subject to rotting or cracking.
Professionals say that the most aesthetically attractive material is gypsum, since it produces the most delicate structures with the possibility of high detail. The disadvantage of gypsum balustrades is their fragility, which is why they have to be repaired every 5-6 years.
The stone balustrade, the photo of which is located below, is beautiful and will perfectly complement the decor of a large country residence in a classic style.
But the installation of such a structure will cost several times more than its cost, which is quite high. In addition, due to the large mass of stone fences, the risk of their collapse is always quite high.
Balustrades are made of stone and, in addition, can be reinforced with reinforcement. They are strong, durable and can be painted and decorated at the request of the customer.
The most flexible and lightest material used for making fences is wood. It allows you to create very light and openwork balustrade elements. However, it has one significant drawback - when constantly exposed to various environmental factors, the tree loses its shape, darkens and collapses. That is why a wooden balustrade is subject to annual repair and painting.
What are they made of?
Despite the fact that balustrades are very different in their appearance, the main elements of their design are the same:
- The base is a lower beam placed between the pedestals.
- The cabinets are the main element that bears the main load.
- Balusters (curly posts) - are installed on the pedestal and serve to support the railing.
- Handrails (railings) - serve to secure balusters together.
It should be noted that balusters can not only be round, but also have a rectangular, square, triangular cross-section and can even be flat. Today they are recognized as classic examples of Roman balustrades. In them, the spaces between the columns are designed so that the areas of the balusters themselves and the cutouts are almost equal, and this allows them to harmoniously coordinate their designs.
Why is she in the kitchen
Why you need a fence in a garden or park is clear.
But what is a kitchen balustrade for? This is a decorative element designed to decorate open shelves or the top of sections, and also serve as an obstacle to the fall of various objects. A kitchen decorated with such an element looks stylish and elegant.
Such decorative furniture railings are made from various types of wood, such as oak, alder and ash. They can be painted immediately after production - they do not require sanding.
The balustrade plays an important role in the architectural design of country houses. These low fences made of curly posts decorate stairs, bridges and balconies, bringing elements of classical grace and style into the surrounding space. Having appeared in the Middle Ages, modern balustrades are experiencing a kind of renaissance - new materials allow you to combine aesthetics and practicality without damage. Our article will tell you about the different types of balustrades and reveal the technology for installing the popular wooden balustrade.
So, a balustrade is a fence consisting of vertical supporting elements (pedestals, balusters) supporting a horizontal element (handrail). Balusters are installed on pedestals and secured at the top with a handrail - the result is an exquisite decoration that can elevate almost any interior of a country house or even an apartment. Balustrades will decorate your terrace, successfully design the staircase, and take their rightful place on the balcony. In addition to performing a decorative function, the balustrade also acts as a safety fence, protecting you and your guests from falling from the stairs or balcony.
Today, there are several types of balustrades, classified according to the criterion of material of manufacture. Let's look at the options presented.
Wooden
Wood is a light and flexible material with which the balustrade elements can be given almost any openwork shape. Such fencing fits perfectly into the interiors of a country house, which is built of timber.
However, if a wooden balustrade is constantly in interaction with the environment, its service life is significantly reduced - the wood darkens, loses its shape and is subject to destruction. Therefore, a balustrade located on a balcony or open veranda will have to be constantly repainted and repaired.
Stone
Balustrades of this type can be stone or concrete. The natural material is beautiful and can be a great addition to decorating a large country residence in a classic style.
At the same time, stone balustrades have two serious drawbacks - the installation of such structures is more expensive than the balustrade itself. In addition, stone fences are very heavy and their operation is always accompanied by the risk of collapse.
Plaster
Gypsum structures have a special aesthetic appeal. The plastic material allows the production of openwork elements with a high degree of detail.
The main disadvantage is fragility, due to which the gypsum balustrade needs to be repaired every 4-5 years. Plaster does not have the same strength characteristics as wood or stone, so you should not use such balustrades as fall protection.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane appeared relatively recently with the advent of new technologies in construction. This material does not have the traditional disadvantages of large mass or fragility. The weight of a polyurethane balustrade is comparable to the weight of a wooden product, and such decoration of a country house does not rot or crack over time.
Design
Main design elements of balustrades:
- Curly posts (balusters) - mounted on a pedestal and support the railing.
- Bollards are the main element of the balustrade, which bears the main load.
- The base is the lower beam that lies between the pedestals.
- Handrails or railings - fix balusters together.
Tools and materials:
- hacksaw for metal
- assembly adhesive
- hammer
- flanges
- sandpaper
- solder wrench
- rubber bulb
- roulette
- screws, nails and bolts
- putty
- brush
Installation of a wooden balustrade:
The wooden balustrade is the most common, so we will look at how to install it. It is worth noting that some models are sold already assembled, but these instructions will be useful for those who install a balustrade from disassembled elements.
1. Before installing the balustrade, determine in advance the frequency of placement of the balusters and make markings. In order to maintain the strength of the structure, place the supports in increments of no more than 2 m. Mark the location of the center of each pedestal.
2. Secure the flange (disc-shaped metal fastener) with screws, centering it on the marked point on the base.
3. Using a rubber blower, clean the holes from dust.
4. Align the holes on the flange with the holes on the base, then drive the anchor bolts (anchors) into them.
5. Tighten the anchors with a wrench.
6. Measure the height of the baluster and bottom base. The resulting size will be equal to the distance between the corner brackets on the cabinet.
7. Apply markings to the cabinet.
8. At the level of these markings in the center of the cabinet, make grooves that are equal in size to the vertical shelf of the corner bracket, and in depth - 2-3 mm greater than it.
9. Make through holes in the cabinet.
10. Next, secure the bracket with bolts.
11. Now you can install the cabinet.
12. Measure the distances between the cabinets, then cut the handrails and bases to the same length.
13. Make rectangular grooves at their ends.
14. Mount the handrails and bases on the corner brackets, securing them with screws.
15. Mark the future location of the balusters and drill the necessary holes in the railings and bases.
16. In the middle of the balusters there are steel or plastic pipes to which the railings are attached. Using a hacksaw for metal, make guide holes 8-10 mm deep in them.
17. Sand the junction of the balusters with the handrails and bases.
18. Lubricate the lower end of the balusters with glue and install them on the holes in the bases.
19. Align the baluster pipes with the holes on the bottom of the handrail and glue them together.
20. Apply glue to the ends of the handrails, bases and corner brackets, then install the balustrade on them.
21. Fasten the bases with bolts, and the handrails to the brackets with screws.
22. The final stage will be the installation of the cabinet cover - it needs to be nailed to the upper end of the cabinet.
23. Carefully cover the impact recesses with putty, and after drying, sand them with sandpaper.
Maintenance of balustrades
- Stone and polyurethane balustrades do not require any specific maintenance due to their strength and durability.
- Artificial stone requires moisture protection: a water-repellent solution must be applied to their surface by spraying.
- Wooden balustrades are protected from destruction by painting them with special paints and varnishes (you will learn everything about protecting wood from ours).
(French balustrade) a fence (usually low) of stairs, terraces, balconies, etc., consisting of a number of figured posts (balusters) connected at the top by a horizontal beam or railing. * * * row of balusters. (Architecture: an illustrated reference book, 2005) * * * End-to-end fencing made of rhythmically arranged shaped posts supporting a handrail. (Terms of Russian architectural heritage. Pluzhnikov V.I., 1995) * * * (French balustrade - railing) - end-to-end fencing of balconies, terraces, galleries, stairs, roofs in the form of railings with low figured posts - BALOPERS. A balustrade encloses the terrace of the Pavilion of the Three Graces by Charles Cameron in Pavlovsk. (Dictionary of architectural terms. Yusupov E.S., 1994)
View value Balustrade in other dictionaries
Balustrade- and. French handrails, railings, railing, fence, baluster.
Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade- balustrades, f. (French balustrade) (architect.). Railings from a series of figured columns decorating external and internal balconies and terraces.
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade J.— 1. Fencing for stairs, terraces, balconies, etc., consisting of a number of figured posts - balusters, connected at the top by a horizontal beam or railings.
Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova
Balustrade- -s; and. [French balustrade from balustre - baluster]. A fence made of balusters connected at the top by railings. B. stairs, balcony. Stone b. piers
◁ Balustrade, -aya, -oe. Bth railings, posts.
Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade— Fencing of roofs, stairs, galleries, balconies in the form of railings with low figured posts (balusters).
Construction dictionary
A balustrade is a modern decorative element widely used in landscape design and home decoration. Such fences are made in the form of exquisite vertical posts that act as supports for handrails for balconies, terraces and stairs. A balustrade is also needed in furniture production for making a footboard or headboard for a bed, decorating cabinets, chair backs and kitchen units.
Balustrade design
The product consists of individual balusters connected to each other by figured railings or horizontal beams. This design includes the following elements:
- balusters - figured columns in the form of columns, often with carved decor;
- pedestal - the element on which the entire structure rests;
- lower beam - the base located between the pedestals;
- handrails and railings - connect balusters to each other.
Construction hypermarkets offer a wide variety of ready-made models; there are also designs for self-assembly, which include balustrade shapes and other necessary parts.
Types of fencing
There are many types of this architectural structure, the most popular are the following:
- Wooden ones are an ideal solution for country houses made of timber. Such products are placed in enclosed spaces where there is no constant interaction with the environment.
- Plaster balustrade. Attracts with its elegance, beauty and unique decorative properties. Every 4-5 years, such structures require complete repairs, since they are not particularly strong and durable.
- Polyurethane products. They have a relatively short service life, excellent decorative characteristics, do not rot over time and are not deformable.
Concrete balustrade is a universal element of facade decor that deserves special attention. It has many advantageous features, among which strength and durability come first. Such fencing is suitable for landscape design in open and closed spaces.
Concrete balustrade
The cost of reinforced concrete structures in comparison with products made of stone is significantly lower. Unlike wooden balustrades, they do not require careful maintenance and do not lose their original attractiveness over time. This balustrade does not collapse under the influence of external factors and is resistant to mechanical stress. It lends itself perfectly to painting with modern means. Installation of the unit requires a foundation, since the support has significant weight.
But, despite all its advantages, versatility and elegance, modern multi-storey construction prefers lighter materials to concrete. For stairs, a concrete balustrade is a set of architectural fencing elements made by vibration casting into plastic molds.
The set includes balusters with cups, radius or straight railings, posts with covers and supports. Thanks to this design solution, you can advantageously emphasize the high status of the house and its solidity.