Rules for the safe fastening of balusters for stairs
If there is a staircase in the room, it will surely turn into a central design object that sets the style of the whole interior. At the same time, the staircase is a rather traumatic engineering structure. Both equally important functions of the staircase structure, aesthetic and safety, perform balusters for stairs – vertical fence supports.
Content
- What are balusters?
- Features and installation rules
- Features of fastening wooden balusters
- Mounting Technology for Metal Options
- Mount forged balusters
- How stainless balusters are attached?
What are balusters?
Structurally, balusters are an independent element of staircases in the form of a vertical support, the shape of which corresponds to the style of the interior of the room and turns an ordinary engineering structure into a design element, and often into a work of art. For their manufacture, the main “staircase” materials or their combinations are used:
- wood;
- stone, natural and artificial;
- metal;
- glass;
- concrete, cement, gypsum.
Stairs and platforms, balconies and even mezzanines transform balusters for stairs – photos of beautiful fences and balustrades:
Wooden balusters on a wooden staircase can be installed with your own hands, following simple rules and having the knack
Strict laconic balusters for stairs made of stainless steel go well with wood, glass, stone
New lines and forms of modern wrought iron balusters as the embodiment of ancient traditions of staircase construction
Balusters and handrails made of glass – stylish, extraordinary, elegant. Reliability and safety of the ladder will be provided by fixing joints made of polished stainless steel
Features and installation rules
The safety of the structure is ensured by the reliable fastening of the balusters to the stairs, which, regardless of their shape and material of manufacture, must obey several general rules:
- the optimal safe distance between the centers of two adjacent supports is up to 15 cm, especially if small children live or often in the house;
- recommended comfortable height for most users is the support height – 80-100 cm;
- each support must be attached at two points – upper and lower.
The thickness or cross-sectional area of the baluster does not play a decisive role in ensuring the safety of the structure, since this element does not carry out the supporting function, it is usually chosen depending on the style and design of the stairs and the interior of the room.
The choice of the method of fastening balusters to the load-bearing elements of the stairs, railing and handrails depends on the material from which they are made.
Features of fastening wooden balusters
The technology of mounting wooden supports is quite simple and you can easily install wooden balusters for stairs with your own hands, having the knack and following simple rules and recommendations.
The lower fastenings of wooden balusters directly to the steps, bowstrings, braids or with the help of a support with a groove corresponding to the size of the balusters section are carried out using special metal hardware – studs, screws, self-tapping screws.
For reliable fastening of the tree of supports to the tree of the supporting structures of the stairs, only metal tightening hardware of active action can be used
note!
For reliable fastening of the tree of supports to the tree of the supporting structures of the stairs, only metal tightening hardware of active action can be used – any type of threaded connection eliminating the likelihood of loosening of the fasteners during operation.
The use of nails, wooden dowels and other passive-action fittings for fastening balusters in high-load mounting units (steps, bowstrings, poles, handrails is not permissible!
The upper part of the baluster is fixed in a groove pre-prepared in the handrail, the dimensions of which correspond to the cross-sectional area of the supports. Usually between the balusters and the handrail with the help of nails with a pin cap and wood glue, an additional fixing bar is rigidly fixed.
The final stage is the upper fastening of the balusters, support bar and handrail
When installing the stairs between parallel walls or with a width of more than 150 cm, the handrails are still attached to the walls using special brackets.
To ensure the safety of the stairs, try to use balusters of the following sizes:
- height of supports – 80-90 cm;
- dimensions of the sides in the section – 3-8 cm.
The main elements of the design of the fence – poles, balusters, handrails – be sure to buy in the kit! When buying hardware, give preference to well-known manufacturers with a positive reputation.
Mounting Technology for Metal Options
Scientific and technological progress and engineering and design ideas that keep pace with it made us look from a different angle at the usual balusters, materials for them and ways of fastening.
Mount forged balusters
This is the traditional embodiment of metal in staircases. They are refined, graceful and only new ornaments and bends of lines sometimes remind of new times, new fashion trends and hobbies..
The method of fastening forged balusters to the supporting base and railing is usually offered by the manufacturer
Today, the buyer of a forged masterpiece does not even have to think about how to install balusters on the stairs: the manufacturer takes care of this and you only need to follow his instructions.
How stainless balusters are attached?
In the interiors in the styles of hi-tech, techno, industrial and other minimalism, the balusters for stainless steel stairs, migrated from scientific laboratories and production workshops, appeared in a new incarnation. They are beautiful with the special cool beauty of polished or brushed metal, as well as practical in operation due to indifference to changes in humidity and ambient temperature.
Fasteners for stainless steel staircases at the same time ensure the safety of the structure and serve as an effective element of its design
Usually, all metal balusters for stairs are sold complete with universal means of attachment to wood, stone or metal. It can be hinges or brackets, fastening support elements to steps, bowstrings, stair kosoura with special screws and acting as spectacular design elements of the staircase construction.
Fix fragile glass
Glass staircase balusters are as popular in modern interiors as stainless steel. It can be separate vertical glass supports for handrails and flat glass surfaces as fences.
Fragile flat glass fencing is installed using metal or wooden fasteners.
Fragile glass is usually attached to any base with metal hinges or inserted into metal nozzles attached to the base with screws. Flat glass balusters can also be fixed using a sliding method in a groove 1.5-2 cm deep, carved in a wooden base, if such a combination is provided for by the design of the project.
In staircase construction, exclusively construction triplex is used – a strong multilayer transparent material consisting of silicate glass plates glued with a special polymer film. It cannot be broken into fragments, and a strong blow will leave only a trace in the form of cracks.
Balusters made of wood, metal, stone, concrete or glass, like a wave of a magic wand, can turn a staircase built according to a typical design into a unique work of art.
