The term “baluster” refers to a decorative element in the form of low figured columns supporting the railings of balconies and stairs. In addition to the decorative function, they also have a protective function - this is the safety of moving along the steps and being on the balconies.
Modern two-story country houses, two-story apartments must have a staircase in their layout. Both the appearance and decoration of the fence are largely determined by the balusters.
Let us consider in detail what they are, what material they are made of and how balusters for stairs should be mounted.
Main types of fencing
The construction market today provides a huge selection of balusters made from various materials. And each type carries certain advantages and features of product care.
So, the most popular materials for making balusters are:
- Tree;
- Metal. The external shape of such posts can be straight or curved; they are made from square and round pipes and profiles;
- Forged fences made of brass, aluminum, iron. Forging has always been valued - its openwork, lightness, variety of shapes and lines highlight any interior;
- Marble, artificial stone. The advantage of such material is durability - they do not crack over time, are not afraid of frost, and can withstand temperature changes;
- Laminated glass bonded with film (triplex). A very popular decorative element for fencing due to its novelty, transparency and safety - such glass is difficult to break, and if damaged, the fragments are securely fixed protective film. Unusual view LED lighting will also provide additional illumination;
- Concrete, cement, gypsum;
- Plastic.
Naturally, the most common types in home interiors are wooden and wrought iron balusters. As for the exteriors, to decorate the facades of houses, namely balconies, they mainly use concrete balusters or stone figured columns.
Wooden balusters: features of operation and installation
Such structures are made from raw and dried material using gluing technology. A section is applied on top of the tree, which allows you to make fencing elements that are very diverse in style.
For the manufacture of balusters, mainly species of oak, birch and pine are used. Naturally, wood requires careful care - periodic painting and coating is necessary. protective compounds to extend the life of products.
It is important to clarify that the balusters should be chosen from the same wood as the staircase itself, because on humidity and temperature levels different breeds react differently.
According to the variety of shapes, wooden balusters are distinguished as:
- Classical shapes are posts processed with threads of different diameters using manual processing or lathe;
- In the form of a quadrangle - thin miniature columns with a simple design;
- Carved balusters made from noble wood. Basically, they are made by hand and are not inferior in style and cost to forged elements.
Armed necessary information, fastening tools and a staircase design, you can easily install balusters with your own hands. To mount it yourself, you will need to purchase a complete set of fencing - posts, balusters themselves, screws, brackets and other components.
Please note that balusters that have side cross-sectional dimensions from 3 to 8 cm and a support height of 80-90 cm are better suited - this aspect ratio gives the strength of the structure.
Installation of balusters
The first is the process of attaching the lower element of the support to the steps or to the bowstring itself. To do this, a support-fence must be fixed in the prepared recess of the support rails.
Remember that the cross-sectional size must match the diameter of the groove. For stronger installation, it is better to use metal hardware, because... they eliminate the possibility of loosening the fastening.
The second is the fixation of the upper part, which is also inserted into the groove, to the staircase railing. Additionally, a metal strip is inserted between the handrail and the support-fence.
Installation of metal options
Fastening metal balusters is not difficult, because... They are sold ready-made with the necessary fasteners. As for forged products, they are attached directly with the base to the steps, and the top to the railing.
If you have electric welding, this will make the task of installing metal structures to the steps of the stairs easier. If there is none, then manual installation is quite simple:
- Using a construction pencil and a ruler, mark the location where the balusters will be fixed;
- Lean the stand into which the end of the rack will be inserted against the markings, and make it in the steps required quantity holes of the required diameter;
- Use dowels and screws to secure the bases;
- Install the balusters into the bases and secure the handrails with self-tapping screws on top.
Glass fencing
IN modern designs Glass railings for stairs look very stylish, protruding as solid surfaces or as separate ones vertical supports. Photos of such balusters are quite often found in examples of fashionable interiors.
Glass is usually attached to any base with hinges or inserted into special metal attachments. If a flat surface acts as a fence glass surface, then you can fix it in a groove carved into the tree - this is the simplest method of fastening, which you can do on your own.
For the manufacture of glass fencing, only triplex is used - this is multi-layered durable glass covered with a special film.
Despite the fact that glass is considered a fairly fragile material, triplex is an ideal option for fencing due to its resistance to damage.
Thus, armed with information and advice on their installation, you can easily install high-quality installation without the involvement of expensive specialists.
Of course, in interiors you always want to achieve a certain style and taste, so the choice falls on various chiseled wooden products, forged or glass. But if you need balusters, say, for attic stairs, then making balusters here is as easy as shelling pears - buy a regular rail for this.
Photos of balusters
Throughout the conscious history of mankind, people have been trying to decorate their homes in ways possible to them. Of course, a lot depends on the individual inclinations of a person, his material capabilities and other factors. But, as experience shows, the main thing is the presence of a desire for self-realization in such a creative process as arranging your home. Today we will talk about that. how to make wooden flat balusters with your own hands.
In general, a baluster in architecture is called a turned column of a railing or fence. (This formulation is given by S.I. Ozhegov’s dictionary.) According to archaeologists, the first carved balusters (pictured) were used in the buildings of the ancient Assyrians. The Slavs also actively used this element in their architecture. Initially, these were porch fencing made of solid boards and they served a purely practical purpose - protection from bad weather. But history is characterized by progress, and over time, craftsmen appeared who decorated the porch with flat wooden balusters with elements of carved decor.
Thus, in addition to their functional purpose, fencing made from carved balusters also acquired a decorative purpose. Let’s immediately make a reservation that flat wooden balusters are very different from similar products round shapes and are characteristic style specifically Russian architecture. In general, balusters have many varieties and specific features. Depending on whether it belongs to a certain style, the material from which it is made, shape, etc. In our case, we will talk about flat wooden balusters.
The very fact of making decorative elements in your home yourself indicates that the owner is a creative person. But one idea is not enough here and you will have to painstakingly go through all the stages of carpentry work before your product will properly decorate the house. First you need to understand what type of carved wooden balusters you like. They can have different threads: through, blind, contour, bracketed, embossed, as we see, there is plenty of room for ideas. It is this variety of types of processing of balusters that allows them to organically fit into various stylistic decisions of the house.
Due to the fact that flat balusters can be installed close to each other, they can be used to create unique ornaments that decorate not only the porch, but also the veranda, gazebo, and stairs. Such openwork represents the pinnacle of wooden architecture. Let us give an example of the types of flat balusters. In the first case, these are elements of the same shape (they are installed in any order). The second option is when the drawing of each subsequent baluster continues the drawing of the previous one. And the third type, if the balusters are made without internal thread, each element is cut out according to a given shape (photo).
How to choose wood for flat balusters
A few words about the different types of wood used to make carved flat balusters. When creating your masterpiece, you need to remember that in addition to a presentable appearance, your product must be durable and functional. The types of wood used to make balusters are characterized primarily by strength. These are oak, larch, ash, beech, birch, pine.
Each type of wood has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these characteristics before choosing the material for the job. Let's look at them in detail:
- The undisputed leader in this direction is oak. Products made from it are durable and do not crack or deform under the influence of the environment.
- Ash is somewhat inferior to oak in hardness and strength, but is resistant to rotting and can withstand heavy bending loads.
- Beech is a very durable tree, it is easily impregnated with various compounds, but if it dries out too much, it can lose its shape.
- Products made from larch are durable, practically do not deform over time, and are not subject to rotting.
- Pine wood is easy to process, tolerates temperature changes well, and is resistant to fungi, but its porous structure is heterogeneous, which affects the painting of products.
Stages of work
When making flat balusters with your own hands, be sure to make a sketch and drawings of the flat balusters - the future product. This will not only save you from mistakes, but will allow you to look at the model of your plan (photo). If your enclosing structure consists of identical elements, then it is enough to build one of them on paper, and then transfer it to the board and start cutting. (Prepare a set of cutters.) And if you decide to create a complex ornamental design, each baluster will have its own appearance and you will need several drawings of the product.
Not everyone can do it with their own hands. To perform them, a person must have minimal technical skills. To create a flawless product, you must have the design data of the part and be able to read drawings. Flat balusters are made of wood and differ only in the way the part is processed.
What are balusters
Balusters are the main parts that make up the stair railing. They are shaped posts that support railings. They consist of three main parts:
- Base. The lowest part of the part with which the entire structure is attached to the steps or directly to the floor.
- Body. It is this middle part that is decorated with carvings and various figured components.
- Support part. Helps securely fasten the railings and serves as a kind of stop.
Typically, the shape of the base and the supporting part have the same configuration. The ancient Assyrians began to use such structures, this fact is evidenced by data from archaeological excavations. Then, master architects began to widely use wooden balusters to protect the porch from wind and bad weather.
These elements were made from wide planks without gaps and lined up in one continuous row. Subsequently, the porch began to be decorated with flat wooden balusters, decorated with skillful carvings. Balusters have many modifications and varieties, but for Russian architectural style Flat wooden models are typical.
Manufacturing process
Every owner dreams of making something with his own hands. After all, this process will not only help unleash your creative potential, but will also show you as a true master. But one dream is not enough, so you will have to thoroughly become familiar with all the nuances of carpentry if you want to really decorate your home.
First of all, you need to decide on the type of carving that will decorate your future flat wooden balusters. Today there are several types of carving:
Thanks to various techniques processing, you can choose balusters to suit every taste. To make it easier to imagine your future product, draw a preliminary drawing or make a test copy with your own hands. A variety of choices allows you to choose the right balusters for absolutely any stylistic decision interior You can buy ready-made balusters or show your imagination and make them yourself.
Due to the fact that flat elements are easily installed in close proximity to each other, you have the opportunity to create an original ornament or even a panel. By developing a drawing with your own hands, you will rid your home of stamps.
With a little effort and your imagination, you can create the railings of your dreams. Balusters are widely used in the construction of gazebos and when decorating a porch or veranda. Don't fill your home with stereotypical products, make something special.
Manufacturing of wooden balusters.
Choosing a wooden base for making flat balusters
You can make shaped elements using various varieties tree. Before making a choice in favor of one variety or another, think about durability and functionality. And only lastly about appearance finished product. This is what professional craftsmen strongly advise to do. The most commonly used wood species are characterized by increased strength . So that you can make the right choice, we will give brief description main list of tree species:
Baluster manufacturing process
Process preparatory work for making a product with your own hands includes creating your own drawing. If you decide to use a ready-made sketch, we recommend that you first make it larger in scale. Independent execution of complex parts requires preliminary study of the drawing. Carefully delve into all the nuances and mentally imagine its implementation. Only after this start working.
Advice!A thorough analysis of the drawing will help you better imagine future design and will save you from unnecessary mistakes.
Prepare in advance antiseptic, roulette, electric jigsaw, wooden boards, varnish, brush and sandpaper. Carefully transfer the drawing onto a wooden base and start cutting. This process is not quick, so be patient.
Using sandpaper, carefully sand the edges until you achieve absolute smoothness. Carefully monitor the symmetry of the balusters, because this will determine general view designs. Before assembling the parts together, degrease the fields to be joined. Only after this can you begin the gluing process. Let the parts dry thoroughly and you can begin installation.
Forget about standards, give free rein to your imagination and creativity. Decorate your home on our own, this will give your home a unique zest and genuine comfort. Any thing made with your own hands will bring creative energy and a positive attitude into your life.
Ksenia Skvortsova. Editor-in-Chief. Author.
Planning and distribution of responsibilities in the content production team, working with texts.
Education: Kharkov State Academy Cultures, specialty “Culturologist. Teacher of history and cultural theory." Experience in copywriting: From 2010 to present. Editor: since 2016.
Flat balusters are the main element of the balustrade of street fences (for example, gazebos or porches). An aggressive external environment imposes additional requirements on the quality of wood, manufacturing and storage of these components. As a manufacturer, “Warehouse of Ladders” controls everything production processes, thereby guaranteeing high quality produced flat balusters.
The area of application of flat balusters is quite extensive, but most often they are used for fencing outdoor gazebos, terraces, and balconies. They are also used in restaurant interiors to highlight special areas. As a rule, the installation of flat balusters is carried out without gaps, resulting in a continuous balustrade.
To install flat balusters, you will also need a baluster and a handrail for round balusters. These elements already contain a groove of the required thickness for easy installation of balusters. Also pay attention to the wide selection of pillars, which you will certainly need when building a gazebo, or to decorate a porch, balcony or terrace.
Create externally beautiful view facade, decorate in an attractive form all kinds of garden structures, extensions, such as terraces or verandas, or use certain decorative elements inside the house, all this is often included in the plans of the owners country dachas, cottages, including two-level city apartments.
Basic decorative functions of balusters
In markets that sell building materials, it’s easy to find the products needed to decorate the exterior of buildings and at the same time interior design.
Speech in in this case Let's talk about installing wooden balusters. They are rightly considered decorative elements. Often they act as architectural details, decorating interior structures, or mounted to give the external architectural ensemble an expressive look.
Practical application of products
Balusters are often used as additional supports for railings. Thus, they are drawn up entrance stairs, varieties of internal flights of stairs, fencing balconies on the upper levels of floors of dachas and cottages, and so on.
Such elements have been used for a long time. Their external shape and main focus make them popular even today.
The high interest in balusters is manifested precisely as construction details, performing several functions at once. Firstly, as noted, they act as support posts, and secondly, their direct purpose includes participation in decoration residential buildings and extensions.
Places and methods of purchasing decorative stands
The problem of where to buy wooden balusters is not difficult to solve. For this there are construction markets and shops. Online shopping has long been considered a fashionable way to purchase goods.
If you want to decorate the stair railings or the balcony of your house with exclusive carved posts, you can contact a company that produces custom balusters.
Important points when choosing
Wooden balusters are made in different designs and in different sizes. Based on the fact that the range of such materials is very wide, it can be extremely difficult for those wishing to purchase them to make a choice. When installing wooden balusters you have to pay attention to some points.
It is desirable that the balusters fit into the overall style. It is worth noting that wooden variety decorative stands Suitable not only for structures made of similar material.
Wooden painted or varnished balusters can decorate concrete, metal, marble, granite entrance stairs. At external cladding siding, with appropriate selection, they will look great as decorative elements for balconies.
One of the most important points, determining the optimal price. Many people would like to purchase a product at a low price, but at the same time get a beautiful, high-quality item. Alas.
Price wooden baluster always depends on the quality and external shape. For example, ordinary turned items with simple ornaments can be purchased at a price of 100 rubles per piece and more. Larger specimens, which begin the row when installing railings, are sold at a price of 500 rubles per piece and above.
What will help you navigate when choosing balusters
Continuing the conversation about the types, we can once again draw attention to the fact that the diversity of the assortment almost always makes you think for a long time about the choice. Help can be obtained by accessing the Internet or directly at the point of purchase.
Sellers of this product always provide catalogs of products available. They contain photographs of products and corresponding prices.
By looking through photos of wooden balusters, it is easier to navigate and decide which type is suitable for installation. Someone can purchase flat wooden balusters. This variety is well suited for finishing terraces and garden gazebos.
Difference in types and main factors influencing cost
To win on price, get a simple look without a top coat. Ordinary turned stands, with ornaments, made on lathe using various cutters.
More interesting views represent twisted supports and carved columns. They can also be purchased at original form without covering. Their cost will be somewhat lower, although it will still significantly exceed the price of the simplest products.
When varnished, the price will rise accordingly. If you take expensive balusters, it is always better to clearly calculate the required quantity in advance.
The most expensive type of balusters are carved posts. They are made by turning complex multi-program machines or manually to order. Beautiful unique ornaments are created in the form of wooden miniature statues. These can be animals, birds, plants and so on.
Photos of wooden balusters
