Functions of balusters
Sometimes railings for stairs made of stainless steel or other metals are installed without the use of balusters. The basis for them are racks. In structures without handrails, such elements are not needed at all. But if the house is equipped with a stationary staircase, it is worth using all the elements in the design.
Balusters perform decorative and practical functions. Their availability:
- provides the stairs with additional stability and rigidity;
- gives the design the necessary safety and ease of use;
- makes the design of the building attractive and harmonious.
Balusters perform decorative and practical functions
Various materials are used to create elements. You can use standard products or place an order for production according to exclusive sketches. By wisely choosing balusters for stairs made of metal or wood, you can make them the main decoration of the structure and interior of the room.
Models of modern balusters
Before purchasing a product, you need to familiarize yourself with the structure and purpose of these parts in the design.
The following types of products are available for sale.
Materials in the manufacture of balusters
These elements are installed in street and home structures of various types. When choosing material for balusters, all the features of the staircase and the specific operation are taken into account. They can be made from:
- natural or artificial stone;
- gypsum;
- polymers;
- concrete;
- glass;
- metal;
- tree.
Balusters for wooden stairs
Stone and concrete elements are used in monumental, monolithic structures. Such balusters support massive railings, enclosing portals, open areas, porches, balconies, etc. These products are heavy and require a reinforced base.
Stone balusters are used in monumental structures
Balusters for stairs located in a private house are most often made of metals and wood. You can use gypsum products if they suit the style of the interior. The choice of material depends on the features of the staircase design and the style in which the room is decorated.
Light metal balusters
Photos of balusters
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Types of metal elements
Installation of railings made of stainless steel and other metals is usually performed on balusters made of the same material. This provides the structure with a harmonious appearance and ease of installation. There are several types of metal support elements:
- rolled metal parts;
- cast products;
- forged balusters.
In the manufacture of supporting elements, rolled metal of round and square cross-section is used. The aesthetic indicators of such balusters are low. They are rarely used in private homes; they can complement simple street structures.
Cast products imitate artistic forging. The elements can have any shape, giving the staircase a noble, solid look. The disadvantage of such products is the lack of originality. These are mass products with little variety.
Balusters for stairs with elements of artistic forging
Forged balusters are a priori unique. Masters of artistic forging create products based on exclusive sketches. They are developed for a specific staircase, exactly matching its design and style. Such elements are quite expensive. But the costs for them are justified by impeccable aesthetic indicators and respectability.
Various metals are used in the manufacture of products. A common, inexpensive option is carbon steel. Used in the creation of balusters and cast iron. This is a durable, extremely durable material. But the large weight of the products limits their use. Balusters and stainless steel stair railings are an excellent option for creating a modern interior. This material has excellent technological and aesthetic characteristics.
Stainless steel balusters for modern interiors
Varieties of balusters by shape
A solid wood staircase takes on a completed look when the railings are installed. Balusters are the main support that holds the railing for safe descent to the lower floor.
For the staircase, you can choose the following components:
- Flat - made of wood or plywood. They can be decorated with carvings or paintwork.
- Round - solid wood is used, which is given a cylindrical shape. During the production process, balusters are given the appearance of a cup, a drop or a double drop.
- Square - is a rectangular beam that can be decorated with panels or simple carvings.
- Curly - more expensive and complex elements that are made from elite types of wood. They are produced manually to order or on a specialized machine.
To choose the right shape of balusters for a staircase, you need to take into account its design and the interior of the room. For example, simple elements like square balusters are suitable for classics. They will give the necessary rigor and solidity to the design.
For a small staircase, for example, in Provence style, round pillars in the shape of a drop are suitable, which will add tenderness and completeness to the staircase.
Large massive structures for luxurious rooms in the Art Nouveau or Baroque style are perfect for carved balusters and figured invitation pillars. They will add chic to the stairs, showing all the wealth of the owner.
Wooden balusters for stairs
Wooden balusters are very popular. These elements successfully complement classic styles, country, Provence, etc. Various types of wood are used in production. You can purchase items from:
- oak,
- beech,
- pine trees,
- birch trees
- larches,
- ash
Wooden balusters will fit well into the classic style of the interior
Wood has different shades and qualities. When choosing products, you will have to take into account financial capabilities. Oak and beech balusters will require significant expenses. You can purchase inexpensive models made of pine and imitate valuable species using tinting.
Several technologies are used to create balusters. Elements of simple shape are made on lathes. Milling equipment makes it possible to obtain more complex designs with figured cuts. The most expensive technology is hand carving. Nowadays CNC machines are used in woodworking. This equipment performs carvings no worse than a skilled craftsman, but the cost of such products is lower.
Luxurious carved wooden balusters
Types of balusters
Depending on their appearance, all balusters can be divided into four types.
Turned balusters
They are made in the form of bodies of revolution. This type is the easiest to produce, and its price is appropriate. But, meanwhile, such balusters have an elegant appearance.
Milled balusters
This type of balusters has different types of cutting. Most often, longitudinal and transverse cutting is performed.
Carved balusters
Such wood products are complex; most often, they have a variety of small carving elements. To produce such balusters, it is necessary to use precise and complex equipment. Therefore, such balusters have the highest cost.
Forged balusters
Forged balusters are often used with wooden stairs and wooden railings. As you know, forged products have been used for many centuries in the design of interiors and exteriors; they are excellent for both exterior and interior decoration. Such balusters enliven the room, creating an atmosphere of grace and sophistication.
Other materials in creating balusters
Balusters for stairs and fences located outdoors must have increased strength and resistance to climatic influences. In the creation of massive structures, stone and concrete supporting elements are often used. They withstand high loads and maintain integrity in any conditions.
Stone balusters are used for outdoor stairs
Polymer elements are now often used in the design of stairs. Most often, balusters are made of acrylic and polyurethane. These materials are ideally molded; products can be given any desired shape. A significant advantage is the ability to give the balusters the desired shade. The advantages of such support elements include:
- resistance to any impact;
- minimum weight;
- decent aesthetic indicators;
- easy care;
- durability;
- low price.
Acrylic balusters are resistant to any impact
Plaster is used to create balusters. This is an environmentally friendly, strong and durable material. Gypsum elements fit perfectly into classical styles, Empire, Provence, etc.
Plaster balusters fit perfectly into the classic style
Glass is becoming increasingly popular. The emergence of durable, safe triplex made it possible to design any structure in an original, stylish way. Most often, stainless steel railings are installed on such supports. These materials are ideally combined and fit harmoniously into modern styles.
Harmonious combination of stainless steel railings and glass balusters
Calculations for selection and installation of balusters
Home craftsmen who decide to install a staircase themselves need to know the rules for choosing elements, how to fasten balusters on a wooden staircase or metal structure.
The length of the elements depends on the height of the railing. Standard handrails are installed at a distance of 70-100 centimeters from the steps. You can adjust the standard indicators if the residents of the house are tall. The height of the baluster is calculated by subtracting the thickness of the railing from the total height of the handrail. For children, you can equip the stairs with additional railings.
Calculations for selecting balusters
The required number of balusters depends on the length of the stairs. It is not worth saving on the purchase of elements due to the large distance between the supports. The structure must first and foremost be safe. It is especially important to carefully observe the size of the gaps if there are small children in the house. The standard distance between balusters is 15 centimeters.
An example of calculating the number of balusters
Forged balusters
Go to forged balusters
Balusters are posts on which handrails rest. They are installed on the steps and perform several important functions. Firstly, they carry a structural load, and secondly, they limit the space of the stairs and make movement safe. And thirdly, balusters, one of the main elements of decor and determine its style.
Principles for choosing balusters for stairs
When choosing balusters for stairs, you need to consider several criteria:
- the material from which supports, steps, railings are made;
- design style of stairs, house interior;
- financial opportunities.
Wooden supports look attractive, especially if they are figured, carved elements. The shades and texture of wood invariably bring comfort and warmth to the atmosphere of the house. Staircases with such balusters look ideal in the following styles: country, rustic, rustic. You can use this technique to decorate Provence, modern, eco, and classic.
Wooden balusters for stairs add coziness to the atmosphere of your home
Balusters for stairs made of metal have many advantages. These products:
- have high strength and long service life;
- not demanding on conditions;
- do not require complex care.
Thanks to the variety of materials and manufacturing technologies, you can choose such elements for any interior. Metal supports add lightness to the structure; they go well with wooden steps and railings. For example, forged and cast balusters are widely used in classical, modern, and other styles. Their combination with railings and wooden steps guarantees the staircase a respectable appearance.
Metal balusters add lightness to the staircase
Metal stairs are often installed in modern interiors. If you plan to install stainless steel railings, glass can be used as a support. It can be transparent or matte, tinted, corrugated. Decor is often created on glass fences, providing the interior with uniqueness and impeccable harmony.
Stainless steel railings use glass as support
If you need to add grandeur and luxury to the atmosphere, you can use plaster balusters. Any structures can be made from this material. There is an opportunity to make them yourself or order them from professionals. Plaster elements can be painted to ensure a harmonious combination with the interior.
Those wishing to decorate an original interior should pay attention to balusters made of transparent acrylic. LEDs can be installed in such products. They will become additional sources of light, create comfort, a mysterious, romantic atmosphere.
Spectacular balusters with LEDs
Tips for choosing
First of all, the choice of balusters should be based on what kind of material underlies the manufacture of the staircase itself. For a wooden staircase, it is advisable to give preference to supports made of an identical type of wood or at least choose a similar shade.
But if the goal is to create a non-standard design, you can combine light and dark shades. Another good thing about wooden posts is that they can be matched to almost any design style. For rustic home decoration styles, such as country and Provence, they are ideal. Wood is also suitable for interiors in a classic style.
Along with wooden ones, metal stair posts have also become widespread in private homes.
It is especially worth paying attention to forged balusters, which are the most beautiful of all metal ones (but at the same time expensive). The intricate shape, coupled with complex patterns, makes forged products real works of art, and their strength and wear resistance will allow you to enjoy their exquisite appearance for many years
They can decorate any interior, but you should pay attention to complementing the room with other decorative details in a forged style. If, apart from decorating the staircase, forging is not used anywhere in the house, then it will look inharmonious
Chromed metal balusters are a fairly fashionable design option for staircases, with a touch of gloss and technology. Choosing these handrail supports is an excellent solution for modern interior styles such as high-tech. However, the railings themselves in this case should be the same. Chromed metal harmonizes perfectly with all the plastic and glass in the room, which are often even used in decorating stairs.
Like any other metal products, chrome posts are durable and strong, but require periodic maintenance to maintain their proper appearance.
Standard and designer models
As for the aesthetic side of the issue, you need to decide which stair railing supports will meet your ideas about beauty and comfort. You can choose both standard and designer models. The first will be a good budget solution, suitable for classic-style homes without any extraordinary designs. If the goal is to bring something unique to your home, then it is better to give preference to more expensive, custom-made designer models.
Striving for beauty, one should not neglect the functionality of the supporting parts of the staircase railings. They must be durable and meet basic safety requirements, acting as reliable elements of the entire fence. When choosing a design for balusters, it is better to ask the craftsman how practical they are, so that the craving for beauty does not result in a contradiction between beauty and reliability. The combination of the first and second should be the starting point both when ordering according to an individual drawing, and when choosing standard models of balusters.
The ideal combination of beauty and high performance parameters can be considered custom-made stone structures, which are full of sophistication and at the same time possess all the qualities inherent in stone. But it is impractical to use separate stone supports, and in combination with a staircase made of suitable material, they are very expensive. In addition, given that such heavy structures place a large load on the foundation, they cannot be used everywhere.
That is why the ideal is a concept that also depends on the context. Therefore, we must proceed, first of all, from our own context (housing), and not from stereotyped “ideals.” Only an individual approach and an adequate perception of your home will help you make the right choice.
Methods for securing support elements
These structural elements must be firmly fixed. This is one of the main conditions for safe use. You need to know how to attach balusters to a wooden staircase or metal model.
The structure, made entirely of wood, uses balusters, railings and handrails to create handrails. Grooves are cut along the cross-section of the supporting elements in the supports. It includes a baluster, which ensures the strength of the connection. The lower part of the support is fixed to a bowstring, step or stringer. The structure is installed using:
- self-tapping screws,
- screws,
- metal pins.
Example of fastening wooden balusters
Experts do not recommend using construction nails for fixing elements. They will not provide the connections with adequate strength. During operation, divergence of elements, loosening, creaking, etc. are inevitable.
Ready-made balusters for metal stairs are usually equipped with hardware for mounting on various bases. It can be:
- brackets,
- screws,
- bolts,
- hinges
Method of fastening metal balusters
Welding can be used to connect structural elements, providing the most reliable fastening.
If you plan to install railings on glass supports, special hinges are used in metal structures or attachments are fixed on their base into which glass elements are inserted. Before fixing the balusters on a wooden staircase, grooves approximately 3 centimeters deep are created. The glass slides in.
Which wooden balusters to buy
In order for the staircase to serve its owners for a very long time, all its elements must be created from the same material. Moreover, you need to give preference to the same type of wood.
When choosing balusters, you should focus not only on the shape and appearance, but also on the type of wood from which they are made
Helpful advice! It is best to choose the hardest types of wood. Oak definitely belongs to them. This tree is famous for its strength and nobility. Any products made from it will be able to retain their original appearance and natural characteristics for a very long time.
The most common types of wood:
- oak;
- ash;
- beech;
- pine;
- larch;
- birch.
If you want to buy wooden balusters, then oak models will immediately attract attention due to their unique dark shade. Oak tolerates temperature changes and active exposure to moisture without problems. Over time, products made from this type of wood will not experience rotting and cracking. An important advantage is that oak easily lends itself to various types of processing.
Carved balusters made of solid oak look presentable
Despite the fact that oak balusters have a number of positive qualities, this type of wood is far from the only one. Ash is also an attractive option. In terms of texture, this tree resembles valuable species. Increased resistance to rot and moisture is an advantageous feature of ash. The structure of this tree is dense and elastic, thanks to which it is able to easily bear even the heaviest loads. The price of the balusters included, depending on their quantity and technical features, ranges from 5 to 12 thousand rubles.
In terms of processing, beech is very convenient; it is also characterized by attractive external parameters. In terms of durability and strength, this option is in no way inferior even to oak. Thanks to the use of beech, you can actually make your own stairs from the highest quality wood. Among the negative characteristics of the corresponding material, one can note only susceptibility to deformation in a too humid environment, as well as a high probability of subsequent rotting. To extend the life of the ladder, it is necessary to choose carefully dried wood.
Birch is used much less frequently for the manufacture of these products. Among the main disadvantages of this tree are the tendency to rot, severe shrinkage and the formation of cracks. On the other hand, this material is easy to process and has excellent strength parameters. In the future, birch can be painted and sanded without any problems. The technology for installing balusters and railings when using this type of wood does not face even minimal adjustments.
To create a staircase, you should use elements from the same type of wood. This technique will not only allow the design to maintain the same style, but will also ensure uniform performance characteristics.
A very common type of tree is larch. The peculiarity of this type of wood is that products made from it become more durable over time. High humidity and warping cannot become a problem for this type of wood.
The most budget option is pine. Today you can buy balusters for stairs from this type of wood at affordable prices. For one pine baluster, on average, you will have to pay about 100 rubles on the market. Flat products are somewhat cheaper. Although it is quite possible to make racks yourself. Moreover, using cutting mechanisms, pine is very easy to process.
Helpful advice! To make stands, you need to carefully select the wood. These must be bars without knots, cracks or other defects. In addition, they should not be characterized by high humidity. Wood that is too dry, regardless of its species, will be quite fragile and will lose its natural advantages.
For DIY production and installation, especially if you don’t have much woodworking skills, you should give preference to soft types of wood
Another tip is that it is much easier for beginners to work with inexpensive types of wood. The easiest to process are birch and pine. Walnut and oak are very expensive, which is why not everyone can afford this luxury. In addition, only experienced professionals can process them correctly.
Stages of installing balusters on stairs
There are several stages in the installation of balusters. Each of them deserves a responsible approach. Before attaching balusters to a wooden staircase or metal structure, it is necessary to mark. Use a construction marker or chalk to mark:
- placement points for outer balusters;
- locations of other supports;
- the centers of each element.
The quality of the result, the aesthetic and functional qualities of the structure depend on the accuracy and precision of this preparation.
Stages of staircase assembly
After marking, you can begin directly securing the balusters. When all the elements are completely installed, the railings are installed.
Processing and finishing of installed balusters
Most of the supporting elements need processing and finishing. The exception is stainless steel balusters and stair railings. This material has excellent aesthetic elements and a beautiful shine. Humid air and detergents do not have a negative effect. Stainless steel elements will retain their original appearance for many years. Chrome plated products are not subject to additional processing.
Structures made from other metal alloys require protection. Paint can provide this. A durable layer will not allow moisture to affect the metal and create the risk of rust. Nowadays powder dyes are very popular. They have maximum strength; the layer retains its integrity for several years. An extensive palette of paint shades allows you to choose the best option for a specific interior.
Stainless steel balusters will retain their original appearance for many years
The tree also needs protection. If proper treatment is not carried out, the balusters may crack, rot may appear on them, and the shade will lose its attractiveness. Damage by bark beetles is possible. Wooden products are coated with several layers of varnish. It will not only protect the balusters, but also give them an attractive shine. You can advantageously adjust the shade using dark varnishes.
Wooden balusters must be regularly treated with protective agents
If the balusters are chosen correctly and installed with high quality, the staircase will flawlessly perform its functions for several decades and adequately decorate the home interior.
